Bill glanced at Lottie. She didn't look angry anymore, yet that only made his spirits sink further. He looked at Joe. He could see a bruise he had struck the boy and felt rather sick with himself. It wasn't like he had never laid a hand on the boy when he was younger and asking for it, but he had never punched him. He had half a mind to get up and go to the pub and forget all of this. Then Joe's words rang in his ears and he felt even worse.

He looked at the table in silence. Neither his wife nor son seemed in the mood or have the courage to speak. "We'll have to go talk to the Carringtons and sort this out..." he finally said quietly.