Thankfully, when George arrived at the market, Roger was nowhere to be seen. According to Sarah he’d taken a beating, so he was probably too embarrassed to show his face, thought George. He hoped he’d stay away for a long time. Having to work in such close proximity with the bastard who’d hurt Sarah would be a struggle, but at least today he’d have a reprieve.

The morning wore on uneventfully, and George was getting fed up with answering questions about Roger’s whereabouts. At least a dozen housewives had enquired, and he saw a familiar face approaching him. It was the girl from the café, the one he’d heard making arrangements with Roger.

‘Hello, do you know where Roger is today?’ she asked.

George could see why Roger had been interested in her. She was striking, with olive eyes and mahogany hair, but she was younger than George had first thought. ‘No, love, and to be honest, I couldn’t give two hoots. I’ll give you a bit of advice – if you’ve got any sense, you’ll stay well clear of him.’

‘I’ve heard you and Roger have had your differences in the past, so why should I take any notice of anything you say?’ the girl asked, then marched off haughtily before George could answer.

‘I’ll tell you why,’ he shouted, ‘’cos his girlfriend caught him in bed last night with someone else’s woman!’

The girl spun round and looked at George with disbelief. ‘You’re just bloody jealous of him ’cos he’s got the looks and you’ve got – well … look at you, you’re hideous,’ she spat, then walked off again.

George reeled. He felt as though he’d been smacked across his face, but the girl was right, he was hideous, and it was no wonder that Sarah wasn’t interested in him. He’d learned to live with his scars, and sometimes forgot he had them, until he caught sight of his reflection and was reminded again.

‘Take no notice,’ a woman said who’d been within earshot of the unfriendly exchange. ‘She’s just a silly little girl who doesn’t know what you’ve suffered. As for Roger, we all know what he’s like and she’ll find out for herself the hard way.’

The woman was just a few years younger than his mum and had been friends with her for many years. ‘Thanks, Kath, but she’s right. I am hideous, and I’ve got no chance of anyone taking me on when I look like this.’

‘You just need someone who can look past your scars, George. Keep your chin up, lad. I have a feeling that there is just the girl for you out there. Leave it to me, lad, I might have a nice surprise for you.’