‘Nothing love, go back to sleep,’ Sarah said, then turned to Samuel and, speaking softly, said, ‘Don’t worry about the window tonight. It isn’t cold and I was going to open it anyway to get a bit of fresh air, so let’s all try and get some rest now, eh?’

Mo gave Sarah a small hug, then followed Samuel back upstairs. Sarah swept up the glass, and moved the brick so it was on the floor next to her bed before climbing in. She could feel the cool breeze coming through the broken window. It wasn’t so bad, but what Mo had said about petrol had scared her. A brick through the window was bad enough, but the thought of them setting fire to the building was terrifying.

Sarah turned over and pulled the blankets up to her chin. Maybe she should think about moving after all.

Chapter 27

Sarah hadn’t had a chance to thank George for returning the jewellery, so the next day she went to see him. She couldn’t love him, but she was fond of him and didn’t want to lose their friendship. It had mended bridges and three days later, on a Saturday, Tommy was at Larry’s little brother’s birthday party. Mo was spending some time with Samuel after she’d managed to persuade him to take a weekend off. That suited Sarah well as she didn’t have to fib to anyone about what she was doing. She had thought about telling Mo her plans, but it was none of her business, and she was sure her friend would try and talk her out of it. As much as she liked the woman, she knew Mo would try to convince her that she was mad to return the jewels, and she had a niggling feeling that Mo wasn’t entirely an honest person.

She stood staring up the concrete stairs that were so familiar to her. It felt strange to be back at her old block of flats, but with her mother not there. A couple of young boys came running down, and their laughter echoed through the stairwell. She remembered how she’d heard her mother’s scream echoing the day Tommy had been born.

She began the arduous climb to the third floor, and hoped Jenny would be home. The ring, watch and bracelet, still wrapped, were tucked in the bottom of her handbag. She hadn’t got used to carrying a handbag around with her, but Lena had encouraged her, saying she was a working woman now and should look like one.

Sarah fretfully knocked on Jenny’s door, and smiled warmly at her old friend when she answered it.

‘Sarah! What a lovely surprise. Come in,’ Jenny offered and pulled the door open wider.

‘Actually, I need to speak to you in private.’

‘That’s all right, no one’s home.’