‘We’ve just had our tea at Lena’s, but thanks again. I’ll see you bright and early in the morning with Tommy. I warn you, he’s very energetic and excitable before school.’

‘He’ll behave himself for his Aunty Mo, ain’t that right, Tommy?’

Tommy nodded but was unusually subdued. Sarah wondered if he was just tired and hoped he wasn’t coming down with a bad chest again. ‘Night, Mo,’ Sarah called as she walked through to her room.

When Sarah changed into her night clothes, she saw that Tommy was sitting very quietly on the edge of his bed. In fact, when she thought about it, she realised he’d been behaving out of character all evening. She sat on the bed next to him, then lowered her head to look at his face. ‘You all right, Tommy?’

Tommy nodded but Sarah wasn’t convinced. ‘You know you can talk to me about anything that’s bothering you?’

Tommy nodded again and glanced sideways at her. ‘It’s … I don’t understand. George said he sold all the treasure we found, but he lied and you told me lying is naughty.’

‘What on earth makes you think George has lied?’

‘I saw the stuff in a box in his wardrobe.’

‘Are you sure?’

‘Yes, Mum, honest, it was all there. The bracelet, clock and ring.’

‘What was you doing in George’s wardrobe?’

‘I was just playing. Lena said I could play with his train set. Am I in trouble?’

‘No, you’re not in trouble, but I know a man who is.’

Sarah settled Tommy down and got him ready for bed, and as she tucked him in, said, ‘What you saw in George’s wardrobe … it’ll be our secret, OK?’

‘OK,’ Tommy replied, then rolled over to sleep.

Sarah climbed into bed, and though she felt exhausted, her mind raced. It made no sense. Why would George say he’d sold the jewellery if he hadn’t? There was only one way to find out. She’d confront him tomorrow after work.

Chapter 26

The next morning, George was whistling a happy tune and found himself once again thinking about Sarah. She had looked beautiful last night and they’d had a right laugh. Sarah told him about Mrs Coombs coming into the shop and asking if she had any sponge fingers. They had all roared when Sarah told them she’d squeezed each of her fingers and said to Mrs Coombs, ‘No, they’re all real.’

He smiled again at the memory. As much as he tried to dismiss thoughts of Sarah, he couldn’t. He thought she was fabulous – beautiful, clever and funny. Everything a man would want in a woman.

‘You’ve seen Sarah,’ called Roger from his stall, ‘that’s the reason you’re whistling that bloody tune like one of the seven dwarfs – “Whistle While You Work”.’