George felt his pulse quicken. She’d only be up the road and he could call in to see her under the pretence of checking how she was getting on alone. It was perfect! ‘But what about Tommy?’ he asked.

‘I’m picking him up from school tonight and popping into the hairdresser’s on the way home. Mo is going to help out the rest of the week. I think Sarah is going to get her in a bit of shopping to say thank you. She gets a good discount so it’ll be worth more than bunging her a few quid.’

‘So, is Sarah coming here tonight to pick up Tommy?’

‘Yes, love, and I said I’ll have some dinner ready for her. I should think she’ll be bushed after doing a full day by herself.’

George jumped up from the kitchen chair and planted a big kiss on the top of his mother’s head. ‘Mum, you’re a diamond,’ he said, and walked towards the kitchen door.

‘Hang on, son, not so fast. Come here and sit down. I want a little chat with you.’

George could see his mother’s face was serious, and did as he had been instructed. ‘What do you want to talk to me about? You’re not ill or nothing, are you?’ he asked, concerned.

‘No, I’m perfectly well. It’s about Sarah …’

‘What about her? Have I upset her? I ain’t seen her in ages. Has she said something to you?’

‘Not in so many words, but I think she’s keeping her distance ’cos she’s worried she might have given you the wrong impression.’

‘So, she has said something then?’ George asked, beginning to feel irritated with his mother.

‘Like I said, not really. I just mentioned that you was fond of her, and well, she said she was fond of you too … as a friend.’

George was annoyed with his mum for revealing things like that to Sarah, but pasted a smile on his face. It hurt to hear that she wanted no more than his friendship, but deep down he already knew. ‘That’s all right with me. Anyway, I reckon she likes Roger.’

‘Yeah, I think you’re right. When his name came up in conversation her eyes lit up. I didn’t say anything to her, but you know my thoughts on that man.’

George did, and again his mother’s words felt like a hefty blow. He thought it was probably time to stop lusting after Sarah and chasing a dream that was never going to come true, yet he knew it wouldn’t be easy, not when he couldn’t stop thinking about her.