‘She never felt nothing, did she? A stroke, the doctor said, just went to sleep and never woke up again. It was a blessing really, considering the pains she went through with the other, and a sight better than fishing your dad out of the drink, all smashed to pieces.’ ‘You’re such a comfort, Mrs Jennings,’ Gracie murmured, wondering if there was ever a woman with a bigger heart and less tact. ‘That’s what neighbours are for, ain’t it?’ Lizzie said, not seeing the irony. ‘Take another sip of medicinal brandy to keep your spirits up, lovey. And you don’t have to worry no more about your mum and dad. They’ll be up there together now, all nice and cosy.’ Gracie looked blank. ‘Up there?’ ‘Up with the angels, gel,’ Lizzie emphasized, her face reddening, ‘’Course, they might still be at each other’s throats, but that’s just the way they carried on. It didn’t mean nothing. I ain’t too sure about such things as angels, mind, but you got to believe in something, or what’s it all for.’ Gracie took a quick sip of the brandy the woman thrust at her, trying not to notice the way it stung her throat and fuzzed her senses.
