Rob offered his arm to his mother-in-law as they stepped down from the tram and made their way along Dumbarton Road. There were people all around them: workers hurrying home after a shift; clusters of lads hanging about on street corners; a young couple furtively embracing in the shadows of a close. As a rowdy group of men spilt out of the pub on the corner, the smell of beer drifted through the swinging doors, calling to his thirst. Maybe Alex would offer him a whisky.
Alex and Luisa lived on the second floor, and as they climbed the stairs Alison remarked on the sparkling cleanliness of the stair with its attractive wally tiles. ‘See how her doorhandle and letterbox shine too.’
Rob wasn’t sure if her praise implied a criticism of Stella’s housekeeping, but chose to ignore this as they knocked on the door. Silence was often the best policy when caught between his wife and mother-in-law. A sh
