‘He saw me walking towards him and had an ugly sneer on his face. I think he thought I’d turn away, but I’ve had enough of your lot intimidating us, so I carried on towards him. He started telling me I should go back to my own country, and the next thing I knew, I had punched him. He looked so shocked, especially when he noticed his nose was bleeding. Before he had a chance to react, I punched him again … and again. I’m not sure how many blows I landed, but two men grabbed me and pulled me off him. There was a bit of a scuffle and that’s how my face got hurt. It wasn’t your brother that caused it because by then he was lying on the pub doorstep in a bit of a mess. He was still lying there when I left.’

‘Oh, Sam, I love you,’ Mo said, and threw her arms around his waist, thrilled that her man had overpowered her brother.

Sarah brought her down to earth when she said, ‘If Danny is in a bad way, there might be repercussions from this, Sam. What if the police come looking for you?’

‘Mo’s family won’t go to the police. They prefer to keep things in house, but I doubt we’ll see Danny again. Men like him are nothing more than bullies, and now I’ve shown him we can’t be terrorised any more.’

Mo pulled away from Samuel and went to the window. She scanned the street, suddenly panicking, but was momentarily calmed to see only children playing outside. ‘I wouldn’t bet on that. Danny won’t let you get away with this. He’ll be back, and he won’t be alone. I know my family, they’ll all be round here soon, mob-handed, vying for your blood, and mine too. This isn’t going to stop a thing. It’s just going to make it get a lot worse.’

‘Let them come,’ Samuel said boldly. ‘I’ve told you, I won’t be chased from my own home.’

‘Don’t be so stupid and bloody stubborn, Sam. I’m telling you, they’ll be coming, and soon! We’ve got to get out of here, and you too, Sarah.’

Thankfully, Sarah hurriedly picked Tommy up and left, saying she’d pack a few things. Mo hoped Samuel would listen to her too. Though she admired his courage, she feared for their lives.

Chapter 28

It would always brighten George’s day when he saw Sarah walking through the market, and today was no exception, though he could see she wasn’t looking her usual bubbly self and was lugging a large, heavy bag. She’d forgiven his lies about selling the jewellery and they were once again firm friends, though he still cringed when he thought about his announcement of his love for her.