It’s me.” It was late, getting on for later, but they were in. Steve’s Land Rover was parked out front. If the car was home, then so was he. Steve was the kind of bloke who never strayed too far from his beloved Land Rover, and if he was in, then Ailsa was probably somewhere near. She didn’t have the nous to wander off. Too timid. Which was the main reason Steve married her. He knocked on the door again. Saw a light come on in the hall. He looked over his shoulder at the road. Empty. Shug hoped that Len and Golly would take the hint and stay down. He didn’t hear any sirens, either. Wondered if one or both of them had bled out. The front door opened. He turned back to see Ailsa stood in the doorway, blinking at him. She was wearing going-out clothes, but looked dishevelled enough to have just come in. The smell that came off her was perfume and gin, reminded him of their mam. So did her voice, which was shaking when she said, “Shuggie?” “Aye.” “Oh my God, Shug.” She stepped out, threw loose arms around his neck and squeezed him.
