Dan Keenan at StormontIt has been a love-in so far, but perhaps not for much longer. Since May 8th and the restoration of devolution what has amazed onlookers most has been the lengths to which Sinn Féin and the DUP appear willing to go in order to avoid clashing in public and, possibly, in private too.
That agreement not to disagree had thrived in those few weeks from devolution until the summer recess while the rest of the world looked on stunned. First Minister and Deputy First Minister have been dubbed "the chuckle brothers" by those in the unionist family who were galled by the sight of Paisley and McGuinness smiling side-by-side as colleagues, if not respectful friends.
Now it seems the nay-sayers within unionism are starting to find their voice. The first day back at the Assembly witnessed the odd sharp word here and there, the occasional niggle between opposing unionists, and a hint of a jarring comment.
The tone of the day was set by the news that Dr Paisley will not stand as Moderator of his Free Presbyterian Church when elections are held in January and an interview in the Belfast News Letter by the leading DUP man without a ministerial job, Gregory Campbell, in which he called for an end to the "Mr Nice Guy" style of unionism. Unionist and the SDLP members couldn't but help themselves to a little well-aimed humour at Dr Paisley's expense during question time. Alban Maginness welcomed the DUP leader back after the summer break - only to wish him well "until the end of the year" when Dr Paisley quits the leadership of the church he founded more than 50 years ago.
John McCallister (UUP, South Down) later took up the baton. He seemed to feign amazement at the First Minister's "weight of office", adding that he wasn't surprised Dr Paisley was giving up "one of his jobs".
With other unionists angrily shouting "filibuster" during Dr Paisley's admittedly rather long answer to a question, the mood was clear. It was less sympathetic, more hostile and unforgiving.
What was also clear, but unspoken, was that members on both sides of the house can now actually envisage a future without Paisley, hence the early sense of attack. Maybe that was why Paisley snr was so closely monitored by Paisley jnr during question time. Even in the press room in the bowels of Stormont junior's guiding asides could be heard.
Outside the chamber the talk was of Mr Campbell's interview in which he called for the DUP to return to pre-devolution mode and an all-out bid to remind republicans that they are the enemy and not colleagues.
There are issues on the agenda where this approach can be played out - an Irish language Act and the multi-sports stadium. So, it should be livelier stuff in the weeks ahead. More arguing, maybe less chuckling.