Later that evening Des, Sheelagh, Siobhan and Declan were all in the sitting room doing their own thing when Sheelagh suddenly asked.

"Is your dad drunk when you go round?"

"Sometimes." Siobhan replied without looking up from what she was doing.

"Do you like Lisa?"

"She's okay."

"Declan?"

"Yeah, she's nice." Declan muttered from his position on the floor.

"Oh." Sheelagh said quietly and sadly.

"You okay Shee?" Des asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I'm tired, I'm going to go in the bath for a bit." Sheelagh got up.

"Okay. Leave the door unlocked please." Des replied. Sheelagh went into the bathroom and turned on the taps. When the bath had filled up she got in. Back In the sitting room, Des was asking.

"Do you think your mum's okay?"

"No, I wish she'd tell me what's wrong, maybe I can help." Declan said.

"I'll go and talk to her." Des got up. He knocked on the bathroom door before going in. He found Sheelagh in a peaceful looking sleep. He smiled to himself and sat on the toilet, watching her, partly because he wanted to make sure she didn't drown and partly because she looked so beautiful that Des couldn't tear his eyes away from her.

About 15 minutes later Sheelagh woke up.

"Hello." Des said.

"Hello." Sheelagh whispered back. She used the bath water to wash her face and wake her up a bit.

"Nice sleep?"

"Not really. How long was I asleep?"

"Probably about 20 minutes."

"Oh. I'll get out now. The water's getting cold anyway." Des held up a towel for her and wrapped it round her. He held Sheelagh in his arms and she lay against him.

"I'm gonna go and get ready for bed." Sheelagh said when she pulled away from him.

"Can I come and talk to you?"

"If you like." They made their way to their bedroom. Des watched her dry herself and start to get changed.

"Are you okay? Me and the kids are worried about you."

"I'm sorry Des, it's just this whole Patrick thing. I don't want him being drunk when the kids go round."

"Do you want me to talk to him?"

"No, but I think I should talk to him. When he's sober." Sheelagh went round the bed to Des and sat on his knee. "Thanks Des. You've been a real rock." Sheelagh kissed him gently. She lay against him and they sat like that until Sheelagh fell asleep. When Sheelagh was asleep, Des lifted her gently and put her into bed.

"Good night sweetheart." He kissed her forehead then went back into the sitting room.

"Is she okay?" Declan asked as soon as Des entered. Siobhan also brought her attention to Des.

"She's worried because your dad's drunk when you go round." He replied.

"Do you know why he's always drunk?" Siobhan asked.

"No."

"Because he wants mum back."

"Does your mum know this?"

"I dunno."

Siobhan and Declan went to bed leaving Des deep in thought.