The thump on the front door brought him to his feet. ‘Who is it?’ ‘It’s me. Ted.’ ‘What do you want? It’s gone midnight.’ ‘It’s what you want, Billy. I got Danny here. You can open up or I can just park him on the doorstep.’ Billy opened up to see his son propped up by an ARP warden in blue blouse and tin hat. The warden said no more, lugged Danny in and slung him down in the chair Billy had been in. ‘I saw him. I’d just come off me break. I saw him reeling along Stepney Green. Swimming in it. Look, I can’t stop. It was only me break. By rights I shouldn’t really leave the street.’ ‘S’awright, Ted. You get off. I’ll be fine with him.’ ‘Right – see yer Billy.’ Before the door closed, Billy said, ‘Ted? Was there no one with him? None of his mates or nothing?’ ‘Nah, Billy. Not a soul.’ ‘Bastards. I owe you, Ted. I’m grateful, really I am.’ Billy drew up a chair opposite his slumped son and stared.
