Overcome with emotion, Sarah dropped to her knees. ‘Tommy … I wish I’d told you more often how much I love you,’ she cried. ‘I miss you. I miss you so much …’

Mo paced back and forth. She could hear Sarah downstairs, crying her eyes out, but couldn’t face going to see her. If Sarah had stayed at George’s house, it would have been so much easier, but now she felt responsible for her and wasn’t happy to be put in that position.

Thankfully the crying at last stopped and she heard the bathroom door close. Sarah was at least having a bath and would hopefully get herself ready. She had to get her out of the house and away from all the memories of Tommy. It had seemed to be a good distraction yesterday, but now Mo decided that the Junction would be too much. Then she had a thought. It was Friday, a good day for a matinee, and Sarah could lose herself in a film for a couple of hours, just as long as the cinema wasn’t screening a tear-jerker.

Mo waited a while, then guardedly went back downstairs, hoping to find Sarah had perked up a bit. Of course, she expected her to be upset, but Mo would have preferred her friend to put on a brave face. She realised she was probably a little heartless, but she was much better at offering a joke and a laugh than she was at sympathy. ‘How are you feeling now?’ Mo asked as she went into Sarah’s room.

‘Better, thanks,’ Sarah said with a sniff, and Mo was pleased to see her friend was dressed and her hair had been tidied up.

‘Good. Do you fancy going to watch a film? It’s a bit early yet, so we could go for a coffee and a bun first. I don’t think it’s healthy for you to sit around in here all day, so what do you think?’

‘I really don’t want to do anything. Given the choice, I’d much rather stay at home,’ Sarah said dolefully.

‘Well, I ain’t giving you a choice, so come on, we’re going out.’

Mo was relieved when Sarah didn’t argue. She followed her outside and half an hour later they were sitting in the corner of a small café on the High Street.

‘Sarah, I’m not expecting you to be full of the joys of spring, and it’s only natural that you’re feeling sad and miserable, but I can’t leave you to rot in that room. I hope you don’t think I’m being a bully or insensitive – I’m just trying to cheer you up a bit.’