‘I announce this garage – I mean Ry and Molly’s annexe – officially OPEN!’ She cuts the red ribbon that she’s put across the brand-new door, and Ryan, Dave, Nanny Door, Carl, Lydia and I clap and cheer. Despite the cold January weather, a flood of warmth bursts through my body. Jackie waits for the clapping and Carl’s shouts of ‘Shag pad!’ to die down to speak again.‘Ry and Molly,’ she begins, clasping her hands together as if she is the Queen giving her annual speech. Dave stands beside her silently with his arms folded over his ample stomach, blue eyes twinkling with a mixture of amusement and pride. ‘I just wanna take this opportunity to welcome you both to our house,’ Dave glances sideways at her and she gets the hint, ‘I mean, your house. And your new life together as a co-habiting couple! And my Dave and I wanna wish you all the love and luck and happiness in the world, my darlin’s. And to say, you know where we are if you need us . . . ’‘Yeah, too bloody close!’ calls Carl.
