"Mum?" Declan called out
She looked at her watch, she was still trying to overcome the alcohol but eventually determined it was late and she should be reprimanding him.
"Do you know what time it is?!" She said sternly, even though she wasn't sure of the time.
"Sorry Mum, you've not been waiting up for me have you?" He asked, beginning to feel guilty
"Fortunately for you, no I haven't, but if I had..." She replied, she couldn't really face a confrontation tonight
Declan wandered into the living room, and sat down beside her. She pulled him close.
"I love you" She said quiety
"Mummmm" He whinged
"I know I know, but if I can't tell you when it's just the two of us, when can I tell you?" She sighed
"I love you too Mum" He resigned, holding her tight and rubbing her back
She wanted to talk to him about Des, but she didn't really know what to say. She felt awkward, after all, Des wasn't exactly her children's favourite topic after the affair, and Niamh. She was trying to arrange the words in her head when Declan asked,
"What's wrong?"
"Bad day" She replied after further consideration
"What happened" He knew it was something serious, he saw the empty bottle on the table, and only one glass. His Mum didn't normally drink a whole bottle to herself.
"Des" She signed at last
"What's he done this time?" Declan was angry at Des, he'd watched him Mum suffering long enough.
"He..." Sheelagh began to cry "He died today"
"Oh Mum, I'm sorry" He whispered
