‘Hello, Sarah, Tommy,’ George said, then noticed how pale Tommy looked. ‘Are you all right, little man?’

‘Hi, George. He’s got a nasty cough again and should be in bed, but we’ve got a bit of a problem,’ Sarah said.

‘I’m sorry to hear that. Anything I can help with?’

‘As it happens, I hate to ask, but I really need a big favour.’

‘You know me, Sarah. If I can help, I will,’ George answered and then listened intently as she explained the situation with Mo’s family.

‘So,’ she continued, ‘we need somewhere to stay for a while until it’s safe to go back or I find somewhere else to live. I would have gone straight round to your mum’s and asked her, but I know she was going out.’

‘Yeah, she told me about the shop being closed for a bit of a refit. She’s gone up town with Joan, but I know I can speak for her when I say she’d be happy to have you and Tommy come and stay. We can’t have you two put at risk like that. Mo’s lot sound like a right lovely bunch,’ George said with a note of sarcasm.

‘Thanks, George, you’re a life-saver,’ Sarah said, and seemed to cheer up.

George fished in his pocket for his front-door key, and handed it to Sarah. ‘Here, take this and let yourself in. Put Tommy in my bed. You both can share it and I’ll kip on the sofa. There’s some cough syrup in one of the kitchen cupboards. Get some down the boy’s neck – he won’t like it but it’ll make him feel better. My mum swears by the stuff. Have a root around for a bottle that says Pulmo Bailly.’

‘Thanks, George, but I don’t want to put you out. You can’t sleep on the sofa,’ Sarah protested as she took the key.

‘You’re not putting me out. I don’t mind where I get my head down, and I ain’t arguing with you about it. Anyhow, when my mum gets home, she’ll throw me out of my room and put you in there, and I bet you won’t argue with her,’ George said with a laugh.

‘You’re probably right,’ Sarah agreed. ‘I’ll go to yours now and get Tommy into bed before he drops where he’s standing. I’ll see you later when you get home.’

George noticed his van was boxed in and didn’t recognise the vehicle in the way. ‘Tommy looks really rough, so if you hold on a minute I can run you both back. Some blinkin’ idiot has gone and parked where they shouldn’t.’

‘Thanks, but your house isn’t far from here and it’ll probably be quicker if I walk. Don’t worry, Tommy will be fine.’