It was about half past two when Mo heard a knock on the front door. She climbed out of bed to look out of the window and saw Roger’s van. She’d heard Sarah go out earlier and knew she hadn’t returned, so, puzzled, she threw on her dressing gown. She quickly checked her reflection in the mirror, and though she was only wearing a touch of mascara, she was happy with her natural appearance, and ran downstairs.

Roger was just walking off back towards his van.

‘Hey, are you looking for Sarah?’ Mo called.

Roger spun around and once again she was struck by his ice-blue eyes.

‘Yes, I thought she knew I was coming over to take her out today but she doesn’t appear to be home.’

‘I heard her go out this morning, but I’ve no idea where.’

‘That’s odd,’ Roger said, though Mo didn’t think he seemed bothered.

‘In that case, she’s bound to be back soon. Do you want to come up to my place and wait for her? I’m bored stiff and could do with a bit of company,’ Mo said, well aware that her red satin dressing gown had fallen open to reveal her low-cut matching nightdress with lace that stretched across her large chest.

‘Yeah, all right,’ Roger agreed.

As he followed her upstairs, Mo wiggled her hips, sure that his eyes would be on them, and as they walked into her room, she gestured towards the sofa. ‘Take a seat, love. Sam’s at work, doing a spot of overtime, some political VIPs or something, so, as you can see, I’m on my own.’

‘You’re having a lazy day then?’ Roger asked as he took a seat, eyeing her nightclothes.

‘You could say that,’ Mo replied, ‘but I’ve been pretending to be ill all week.’

‘Have you? Why have you been swinging the lead?’

Mo was desperate to share her sordid secret, and thought that unlike Samuel, Roger was broad-minded enough to understand. ‘I’ve made a right balls-up … a really big mistake and now I don’t know what to do about it.’

Roger rolled his eyes, ‘Come on, Mo, it can’t be that bad. What have you done?’

‘Promise you won’t say anything if I tell you?’

‘Scouts’ honour.’

‘No, I mean it, Roger. You can’t tell a soul.’

‘I know how to keep my mouth shut, Mo.’

‘Yeah, well, I’ve been really stupid. I should have known better, but I let this bloke talk me into taking my clothes off to pose for photographs. I thought he was genuine and was going to make me a top model. Instead, I’ve been humiliated and now I think my nude shots are being brandished about all over Battersea. I’m so ashamed and can’t face going outside.’