‘Yeah, he is. But it’s just us two, no mum and dad.’

‘Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to say anything out of turn. Well, you’re doing a fine job of looking after him.’

Sarah didn’t think she was and the guilt jabbed at her again. She thought she might burst into tears, but before she could, George handed her the coins and she croaked, ‘Well, it was nice meeting you, but now I’ve got this money I can pay you for the coats.’

‘Nah, I’ve got a good deal with the bracelet, so we’ll call them a bonus. It’s been a pleasure doing business with you,’ George replied.

She managed a watery smile then called, ‘Tommy, come on, time to go.’

Tommy swung round and marched towards her, stomping his feet, pretending to be a soldier. ‘Yes, sir,’ he said in a deep voice.

Sarah gave George a small wave and, tummy rumbling, turned to head for the nearest fish and chip shop.

She didn’t look back, but she heard George call out, ‘Don’t be a stranger. Come and say hello next time you’re up the market.’

Tommy had wolfed down his fish and chips and had even licked the newspaper they were wrapped in. Then the rest of the day had been spent ambling around the park, but now as the sun was beginning to set, Sarah thought about heading back to the shed.

She had enough cash in her pocket to get a room for a few nights, but thought it best to save the money instead. After all, she didn’t yet have a plan for how to make any more. ‘Come on, Tommy,’ she called to her brother, who was halfway up a small oak tree. ‘Time to go.’

Tommy whined, ‘Ow, I don’t want to go yet. Can we go to the funfair?’

‘No, it’s going to be dark soon, come on and stop answering me back.’

Tommy jumped down from the tree then minced towards her with a sullen expression. ‘Have we got to go back to that shed again?’

‘Yes, we have, but I don’t know why you’re looking so miserable about it. You slept OK and found some treasure in there!’

‘I know, but I don’t like it. Please, can we go home? Mummy might not smack me now.’

Sarah had twelve years’ more experience than Tommy, so she knew only too well that their mother would not have calmed down, and if they walked back through her front door they’d both receive the hidings of their lives. ‘Sorry, Tommy, I’m not risking you getting beaten black and blue. I love you too much to see you get hurt, so like it or lump it, we’re going back to the shed.’