‘I don’t know what to say, except the bloody pair of them deserve each other and I hope they both rot,’ George said.

‘I loved Roger, but when Tommy died I found that he wasn’t the man I thought he was. He seemed so insensitive and it hurt that he didn’t come to his funeral.’

‘You didn’t say anything.’

‘I know how you feel about him and I didn’t want to add fuel to the fire. Oh, George, how can I go home now? I don’t want to live in the same house as Mo. Samuel’s never coming back – he said Roger’s getting the law onto him. How can I rest in my room knowing what’s going on above my head with the love of my life and my best friend?’

George flinched. She’d described Roger as the love of her life. The words had cut him, but he hid his feelings well. ‘You can stay here until you get something else sorted. Tell you what, write me a list of what you need and I’ll go and pick it up.’

Sarah’s tears had dried, but now she looked pensive. ‘Thanks, I’d appreciate that, but I want to come with you. I don’t care if I never see Roger or Mo again for as long as I live, but as I’m never going back there, I want to take everything, including Tommy’s things.’

‘I understand and don’t worry. I’ll make sure they keep out of your way. They’d have to get past me to get to you and that ain’t gonna happen.’

Chapter 45

It was half past six on Monday morning. George and Sarah were sitting at the table as Lena fried some sausages, but both looked half asleep. Lena had heard Sarah crying in the night. The poor girl was devastated by Mo and Roger’s betrayal, and following so soon after Tommy’s death, no wonder it had knocked her for six. Lena had suggested that she take the day off work, but Sarah refused, saying that she’d rather be at work than sitting at home brooding.

Lena dished up breakfast, which both George and Sarah ate in silence. She was itching to share her news, though worried that her timing was inappropriate. Still, it might give Sarah something else to think about. ‘It’s been an absolutely terrible past few weeks, especially for you, Sarah, so I think we could all do with something to look forward to.’

‘You ain’t wrong, Mum. Have you got anything in mind?’ George asked, perking up a bit.

‘As it happens, I have,’ Lena answered with a teasing grin.

‘Well, spill the beans then,’ George said as he mopped up the last of his egg with a slice of bread.