When Lena got back to George’s bedside, she noticed a sad look in her son’s eyes and wondered if the shock of what had happened was beginning to surface. ‘The nurse has gone to fetch the doctor and will be here in a minute. I think you two should go now and let George get his rest. We don’t want him overdoing it.’

‘All right, but I’ll be back tomorrow, mate,’ Roger said. ‘Keep your chin up. It ain’t so bad having all these lovely nurses fussing over you.’

Lena saw Sarah dig Roger in the ribs and thought they looked quite cosy together. Sarah leaned over to kiss George’s cheek and said, ‘I’ll bring Tommy up to see you tomorrow. He’s been asking after you.’

‘Thanks, you two,’ Lena said. ‘Don’t worry about coming to work for a few days, Sarah. Albert – I mean Mr Bosco – has got cover for both of us.’

‘See ya,’ George said.

Lena sat beside her son again. Albert had been understanding about her predicament. Once she had explained what happened, he’d been gravely concerned for Sarah and George’s well-being, and insisted that she take all the time off she needed. She promised to have dinner with him once George was on the mend, though at the time of that conversation she hadn’t been convinced her son was going to be OK, and was worried sick.

Lena watched George as his eyes followed Sarah and Roger leaving the ward. ‘You don’t have to put on a brave front now. Tell me how you really feel,’ she whispered to him.

‘Honest, Mum, I’m all right.’

‘You can’t pull the wool over my eyes. Are you worried about that man still being on the loose?’

‘No, don’t be daft. Truth is, I’m wondering what’s going on with them two.’

So that was what was bothering her son. He was upset to see Roger getting his feet under Sarah’s table. It was bound to happen eventually. After all, Sarah had been harbouring feelings for the man for a long time now. She thought Sarah was a fool, but she was more concerned for George. It wasn’t just his stomach in pain. It was his heart too.

Mo looked out of her window when she heard a vehicle pull up outside, and saw Roger’s van. ‘Your mum’s home,’ she called over her shoulder to Tommy.

‘Yes!’ Tommy squealed, and ran across the room and out of the door.