Sarah rolled her eyes as if it was a ridiculous suggestion, but she had already contemplated the idea herself. After all, she hadn’t managed to find any suitable stock, and their money was rapidly diminishing. With her funds running low, she was getting worried and regretted spending so much on furniture. She should have waited until she’d found stock for George to sell, but hadn’t been able to resist furnishing the room.

Sarah was eating the last mouthful of her fritter when she heard a knock on the door. ‘Just a minute,’ she called, guessing it was Mo from upstairs.

She’d bumped into Mo a week earlier when they’d both gone to use the shared bathroom. Mo had relayed her life story in a matter of minutes, and from what Sarah could understand, Mo was living in sin with Samuel, her West Indian boyfriend, and her family had ostracised her.

Sarah had instantly liked Mo’s bubbly personality. With her red hair which framed her blue eyes, Sarah thought she was one of the prettiest women she’d ever met, and hoped Mo would become a good friend.

She opened the door, but gasped in shock. Mo’s face was swollen and bruised almost beyond recognition. ‘Oh, no, what’s happened?’ she asked, and gestured Mo in.

Mo walked in and instantly began to cry.

‘Tommy, go outside and play. Make sure you don’t leave the street. I’ll be watching you from the window,’ Sarah said.

‘But … I haven’t got any friends,’ Tommy answered slowly, looking stunned at the sight of Mo.

‘Well, go and flippin’ make some,’ Sarah said firmly.

Tommy skulked out of the room, and Sarah turned her attention to Mo. ‘Sit down, I’ll put the kettle on.’

‘It looks nice in here,’ Mo said and sniffed.

‘Thanks. Please tell me Samuel hasn’t done that to you.’

‘Of course not!’ Mo said, sounding indignant. ‘He’d never hurt me. It was my dad. He came round this morning and ’cos I wouldn’t come home with him, well, you can see for yourself.’

‘Oh, Mo, that’s awful. Where’s Samuel? Does he know?’ Sarah asked.

‘No, and by the time he gets back I’m hoping I’ll be all better. He’s over the East End for a few days, visiting his brother. I reckon my dad knew he was away and that’s why he turned up. He wouldn’t have shown his face if Samuel was home, I’m bloody sure of it.’

‘That’s a nasty shiner, Mo, and your lip is split. I wouldn’t count on that healing before Samuel comes home.’

‘Oh, blimey, what am I going to do? I don’t want my Sam getting into trouble, but if he knows my dad did this to me, he’ll kill him, I know he will.’