Mo began to sob harder, so Sarah rushed over and tried to offer some comfort by placing her arm around the woman’s shoulders. ‘Don’t worry, Mo, we’ll think of something. Maybe we can make up a story about you getting mugged in the street or something.’

‘Yeah, I suppose that could work,’ she agreed, drawing in a juddering breath. ‘Oh, Sarah, I hate my dad. He’s always been heavy-fisted with me and my mum but he’s never laid a hand on my brothers. He’s a bloody coward, that’s what he is. A coward and a bully. My Samuel’s worth ten of him.’

Sarah had never known what it was like to have a father, and though she’d envied Jenny having a dad, she realised they weren’t all good. ‘He’s done this to you before then?’ she asked, trying not to sound too surprised.

‘Oh, yeah, this ain’t unusual. When I told Sam about how my dad would hit me, he wanted to go round to give him a good hiding. Oh, Sarah, Samuel must never know the truth about this. Promise me you won’t say anything?’

‘Of course I won’t,’ Sarah reassured her new friend.

‘Thanks,’ Mo said, and winced as she sipped her tea.

‘Can I do anything to help?’ Sarah asked.

‘No, I’ve patched myself up as best I could, but I just needed to get out of that room and speak to someone. It felt like the walls were closing in on me, and then I got scared that my dad might come back.’

‘Tell you what, why don’t you stay down here with me ’til Samuel gets home? Tommy can get in with me so you can have his bed.’

‘Oh, I don’t know. That’s ever so kind of you, but I don’t want to be a burden or nothing.’

‘Don’t be daft. It’ll be nice to have someone my own age to talk to for a change. Don’t get me wrong, I love Tommy to death, but his conversation can be a bit limited.’

‘If you’re sure, I’d love to. I’ll nip back upstairs and get a few bits and bobs … will you come up with me?’

‘Yes, but let me just look out on Tommy first.’

Sarah walked over to the sink and glanced out the window. She could see Tommy leaning against a wall watching a small group of boys playing marbles. She hoped he would join in with their game, but for now she was satisfied he was safe, and proceeded upstairs to Mo’s room.

When Mo opened the door and Sarah followed her in, she stood in awe as she gazed around the room. The walls were adorned with paintings of brightly coloured, exotic flowers. They were so vivid, Sarah almost felt as if she could inhale their fragrant scent.