Danny and Maddie were meeting me later that evening and we planned to see the New Year in together at the city square. One spot of worry was Dad. I could never find him at home on any of my many visits to the Hilltown and now, on this last day of the year, he suddenly appeared at the Overgate around teatime. Granny, who had also been irritated by his thoughtless and strange behaviour, now looked with annoyance at him as he sat looking ill at ease in her kitchen. She spoke bluntly. ‘I thought you would want to see more of your family, Johnny, instead of less.’ I felt a bit sorry for him. Although never plump, he had now lost so much weight that his old trousers clung to his thin legs and a threadbare jacket hung limply from his shoulders. A thick woolly scarf covered his scrawny neck. Still, he had taken the time to shave which was a slight improvement on his gaunt, stubbled appearance at the funeral. He looked at Granny, his eyes bright with unshed tears. ‘I’ll be as right as rain in a wee while and then Ann and Lily can come back and live at home.
