Lottie's raised hand was met by a raised arm from Bill to block her. Then John's voice distracted him and Bill's red head snapped in his direction.

Did he do that on purpose?! Bill's rage had hardly softened. Now he was angry with his wife for humiliating him in front of their son too, raising her bloody hand like that. He would have her and John know that he was the man of this house and he was in charge! Lottie couldn't just slap him! Nor could she scold him like he was a child! He was in charge, damn it! And he was angry with John for appearing at that moment like he had planned it! Like he was out to catch his father in a humiliating position!

"Aye, I was trying to!" He shouted back at his wife. "So why don't ye let me prepare, ey?" He looked over at the chair where his work clothes were usually hung over the back on mornings when he had to work - like by magic. They weren't there. He looked at Lottie accusingly. He wasn't going to beg.