‘The reason I’m here is to get Godfrey back for all the wrongs he’s done. My friend used to do your job at Mrs Alderton-Steele’s, but she lost it after Godfrey pinched some jewellery and made sure she got the blame. They even had the police on her, but as she hadn’t stolen it they obviously couldn’t prove anything. Anyhow, I know Godfrey is giving you a bit of a hard time, and if you help me, we can stop him.’

‘I can’t afford to lose my job. Look around you. My husband drinks more than he earns, and my milk’s dried up so I can barely afford to feed this little ’un. I know there’s lots more jobs out there, but it ain’t easy to find one when you’ve got a baby. The cook at Mrs Alderton-Steele’s is my cousin and she lets me leave Joseph with her in the kitchen.’

‘You won’t lose your job. I just need you to tell a little white lie for me. I promise you, your job will be fine, and it’ll put a stop to Godfrey.’

‘I can’t risk it. I hate him … hate what he’s doing to me, but what choice do I have? He said if I don’t do what he says, he’ll have me arrested. I can’t go to prison. Who’d look after Joseph?’

‘It won’t come to that,’ Sarah said and as she had with Jenny, she laid out her plan.

‘Yeah, yeah, that’d work,’ Doreen said when Sarah had finished speaking, and at last she smiled. ‘All right. I’ll do it.’

Sarah was glad to be back outside in the fresh air. Doreen’s house had been stuffy, and felt so depressing. It’d reminded her of where she grew up, and though she could see Doreen was unhappy but doing her best, she couldn’t help feeling sorry for Joseph as she knew what it was like to grow up with a drunk.

She was pleased that Doreen had agreed to go along with her plan. She had felt so guilty for not speaking up sooner, but now she could help both Jenny and Doreen to get their revenge.

Mo rested the back of her hand on Tommy’s forehead again. He didn’t feel any hotter than the last time she’d checked him, but he looked deathly pale. ‘So much for spending a nice weekend with you,’ Mo said to Samuel.

‘The boy can’t help being unwell, and Sarah wasn’t to know he was going to be taken ill at that birthday party. Are you sure we shouldn’t call the doctor?’