I knocked on the door, feeling guilty for abandoning my friend when he needed me the most.

“Come in,” Matt shouted, and I pushed the door open.

Carolann was sat on the end of the bed reading a magazine. She looked up at me, smiled and mouthed Hello. She put the magazine down and stood up.

“I’ll head off but call me if you need me to bring anything in tonight, okay.”

“Thanks, Mum,” Matt said.

“It’s good to see you, Declan,” she said. stopping to kiss me on the cheek, before rushing off.

I didn’t know what to say. Feeling ashamed, I hadn’t been kind to Matt when he told me about seeing my Mum.

“Do you hate me?” I asked.

“Not if you come over here and give me a hug.” He winked and smiled that cheeky smile of his.

I walked over and wrapped my arms around him. It felt good to hold him again.

“I didn’t want to upset you, but I had to tell you the truth.”

I moved back and sat half on the bed. “Do you really think she came to you?”

“Yes, I do.”

“But what makes you so sure?”

“I was ready to move on. I felt it was my time to go, but Eleanor stopped me and told me I had to go back. Something about her face was so familiar to me, but it’s only now I realise it’s because you do have a look of her. It must be the same thing Betsy noticed when she met you. I didn’t want to upset you, but Eleanor was desperate for me to tell you.”

I started to cry. “Sorry,” I choked.

“You’d just found out your dad may have had a hand in your mum’s death – you’re not supposed to find out your mum is sending you a message from heaven and take it in your stride.”

“I haven’t even had the courage to confront him yet.”

“Did you speak to your Grandma?”

“Yes, and she’s just the sweetest lady, you know. I love her already.”

“That’s the best. I liked her a lot.”

“She’s the nearest thing I’ll ever have to my mum, but it still hurts like a bitch.”

I laughed. He rarely cursed, so it was amusing to my childlike mentality when he did. “Despite everything, is she happy?”

“Yes, but very angry about what she sees as stolen years.” He wiped his eyes. “But, she told me to give you her love and wished you a speedy recovery.”

“Will you tell her what I told you?”

“No, but I’d like to take you to see her when you’re allowed, and you can tell her yourself – it might bring her some comfort.”

“So, you believe me?”

“I do, yes, and I’m thankful my mum sent you back. Losing you would have devastated me.”

“I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, only the good die young.”

I looked at Matty. He was pale and drawn, not his usual tanned and preened self. There was a vulnerability that wasn’t there before and the protective side of me came galloping to the fore. “We’ll see old age together, just wait and see.”

“I bloody hope not. I don’t crave adult diapers or false teeth. If you want old age, start making plans now because I’ll be partying up there with your mum.”

He made me laugh. The only person that could in these circumstances. “I’m lucky to have you in my life.”

“I know, and don’t you forget it.

I laughed again. “Where’s Jake?”

His face flushed. “I’ve been a total shit to him.”

“Then you best swallow your pride and think of a way to put it right.”

“I know.”

“The man adores you so sort it, sooner rather than later.”

“I will, but first, I want to know when you’re going to confront Jack with what you know.”

“Tonight.”

“You’re not going alone.” I pushed the covers back, raring to go. “I’m coming with you.”

“No,” I argued. “You are not, and that’s the end of it.”

“Then Jake can be there. I don’t trust that man.”

“He won’t harm me, Matty. If he wanted to, he’s had plenty of opportunity over the years.”

“Pass my phone out the drawer, I’m calling Jake.”

I rolled my eyes. “I don’t need a bodyguard.”

“If you don’t have somebody there, I might just have a stroke with the stress.” His mouth curved into a mischievous smile. The old Matty was still in there.

“That’s below the belt, even for you.” Shaking my head, I couldn’t let him worry any more than he already was, so acquiesced. “Jake can wait upstairs in case I need him, but that’s as much as I’m willing to concede.”

“Deal! Now pass me that phone. I’m not thrilled about it, but I’ve got some apologising to do.”

“Ha,” I said. “I can’t wait to hear this. Hang on a minute while I get you a drink – the words might choke you.”

He stuck two fingers up at me.