At 8o'clock that evening, Patrick and Sheelagh Murphy were sitting opposite each other with cups of tea.

"Sheelagh?" Patrick asked quietly. Sheelagh hadn't said anything yet, just stared into her teacup.

"Sorry." Sheelagh snapped her head up and looked at her husband. Their three kids and Des were sitting in the sitting room apprehensively.

"You love him don't you?" Patrick wanted the answer to be no, but didn't think it would be.

"I don't know. I feel something, but I'm not sure what it is yet." She replied honestly.

"There's something you should know," Patrick looked down, he couldn't bear to look at Sheelagh.

"What?" Sheelagh became increasingly concerned.

"I…er…" Patrick stammered then stopped to think of his words. "I slept with your sister three months ago." He said really quickly.

"Margaret or Chloe?"

"Chloe."

"Patrick look at me." He looked up slowly and Sheelagh could see the regret in his eyes. "Do you think we could cope with two cases of adultery?" She asked seriously. He shook his head slowly.

"I'm sorry Sheelagh," he said, "I think we should urmmm…."

"Go our separate ways?" Sheelagh suggested quietly.

"We will be friends though?"

"I'd be stupid if we weren't."

Patrick smiled. "I love you so much you know."

"And I'll always love you."

"The kids? They can choose who they want to live with, yes?"

Sheelagh nodded. "We'd better go and tell them."

They walked through to the sitting room. As they entered, all talking stopped.

"You're not getting back together are you?" Declan said straight away.

"Slow down young man." Sheelagh said. "Let us sit down first." She walked to where Des was sitting and sat herself on the end of his knees. Patrick sat down and said.

"You're right Declan, we're not getting back together but it's not just because of your mum sleeping with Des."

"What else then dad?" Fintan asked. Siobhan was quietly crying. Sheelagh noticed and went over and put her arms round her.

"I…well, about three months age, I sort of slept with you aunt." Patrick muttered.

"How can you sort of sleep with someone?" Siobhan asked. Patrick looked over at her and said.

"You know what I mean."

"Your sister, dad?" Declan was confused.

"No. Your mum's sister."

"Who do we live with?" Finatan asked.

"Whoever you want." Sheelagh answered. "Just remember that your dad has somewhere to live and I don't."

"Oh, is dad staying here then?" SIobhan asked.

"Yeah. I think."

"Can I come and live with you when you've got somewhere mum?" Declan asked.

"Of course you can." Sheelagh replied.

About 11 o'clock Sheelagh and Des were curled up together on Des's sofa. Sheelagh had dozed off in Des's arms and Des was stroking her silky hair. Sheelagh woke up slowly and sat up.

"Hello." Des said. Sheelagh turned round and smiled at him. She snuggled back into him and said.

"Did I dream, or was it real, me breaking up with Patrick?"

"It was real."

"Oh, so he really did sleep with my sister then?" Sheelagh said sadly.

"Hey." Des sat up and took her face in his hands. "It'll all be okay, yeah?" He kissed her softly on the lips and felt her smile. He broke away and held her hands gently in his. "Listen, you can tell me I'm too quick or whatever with this … but…urmmm…do you wanna live here permantly?"

"Oh, I dunno." Sheelagh was sceptical.

"Sorry, I was too soon."

"Can we, ummmm, see how we get on before deciding? And anyway," Sheelagh looked down at her shoes, "you might start to fancy another woman." Her voice grew quieter towards the end.

"I won't. Trust me." Des took Sheelagh's head on his hands and made her look at him. "D'you want an early night?" He asked her cheekily.

Sheelagh grinned and pulled him close to her. She kissed him and he stood up, picking her up with him. "Put me down!!!" Sheelagh demanded.

"No!" Des replied. "I am going to carry you to my bedroom where I will…"

They were interrupted by the doorbell.