Sally walked back from the office jiggling a grumbly Ivy, casting an eye over her shoulder every once in a while. She worried about him, he was drunk every other night just like her father and look where it got him...

Ivy was grizzly and needing her proper bed.

"Time to take this one home Julian" Issy kissed her grumbly overtired granddaughter.

In agreement they packed up the office, washed the last few mugs and waited for John to re-emerge.

He didn't.

A few more minutes spent locking up and Julian finally relented, dashing into the loo to see what the hold-up was.

Back now he stood outside the bathroom and stared through the girls in front of him. Whatever he had seen or heard had him emerge extremely upset and shaken, even slightly angry.

Julian was wishing.

Wishing he could click his fingers and fix the pain his dad couldn't shake off of himself.

Issy carefully laid a hand on Julian's shoulder and he came alive, turning into Sally's mum who had become as big a deal in his life, as his own mum. Special, kind and thoughtful he trusted her, and that was big. His history with people only wanting to be close to him for his father's presence, or name, stung him often. It was a constant worry about the next person you met and what they wanted of you. Trust was hard to give easily.

Issy held him quietly in her embrace, such a soul he had, soft and warm. Only wanting the best in everything and everyone he came in contact with. No words needed to be spoken, Julian's tears marking her blouse enough to know what he was thinking, wishing, hoping.

"He's cr... crying" Julians tears fell. Sadness welling inside at seeing the father he loved; his father who was the toughest strongest man ever, broken and in pieces.

Issy watched Ivy start to cry in unison with her daddy. Sally, groaned in exasperation, and near collapsed under the weight of the responsibility. Two teary weary bodies plus struggling with a nappy bag and stroller; the cross town trip to come, and fighting exhaustion herself.

So Issy made a decision.

Probably not a very wise decision but she felt such empathy for both father and son. She sent Julian home "You go, take the girls home. My cars right out front, I'll get him home" The words spilled and Sally looked at her mother like she had gone full on crazy, so she said so.

"You're bloody bonkers. We can't leave you with him, especially in the condition he's in" Sally snapped.

"Mum?" Julian sensed Issy's demure change and wondered how she went from timid in the studio to forthright here-now, so quickly. He decided not to question. Issy's eyes found his and she didn't falter in the gaze she levelled him, she gave him strength to move his feet "Come on Sally, mum will be ok. Dad will be a lamb"

Sally huffed and rolled her eyes.

John Lennon was no lamb and if he heard someone call him that he would most likely clock them one.

"Go ..... I'll get him home"

Sally hugged her mum and whispered "If he hurts you call 911. I don't care if he is a Beatle he's doesn't get to hurt my mum"

Issy watched them exit and turned about....

Then wondered what in the hell she had just signed herself up for.