‘Thanks, Mo, but even if you did have anything, I wouldn’t expect you to lend it to me. I don’t suppose it really matters. After all, she’s dead, and I should think I’ll be the only person at her funeral.’

‘I could come with you if you like?’

‘That’s good of you, but to be honest I think I’d rather you looked after Tommy for me. I don’t want him seeing his mum put in the ground.’

‘Of course, I understand. Now, splash some water on your face before the boy gets home. You don’t want him seeing you upset.’

Mo sat on the other armchair feeling awkward. She wasn’t very good at dealing with things like this, and didn’t have much empathy. She thought the years of getting bashed by her father had knocked all the softness out of her and left her hardened. ‘Sam will be home tomorrow. I can’t wait for you to meet him,’ she said in a bid to change the subject.

‘Yes, me too. I’m looking forward to seeing the mystery man who paints the wonderful pictures,’ Sarah answered.

Mo noticed Sarah’s face was pink from the cold water, and though she smiled, Mo could see it didn’t reach her eyes. Still, she was pleased that Sarah was no longer crying. She liked her, though she thought her a bit naïve. She’d enjoyed getting to know the young woman, but she’d missed Samuel terribly and couldn’t wait to see him.

Sarah lay in bed that night finding it difficult to drift off. Tommy was fidgeting, and coughing again. Her thoughts wandered back to her mother. She didn’t think she’d ever get the image of her dead face from her mind, and tried to think of happier times. It was difficult as there weren’t many good memories to draw on.

Then she thought of Mr Sayers. She wouldn’t miss her mother but she still missed the old man. She rolled over and heard Tommy cough again in the next bed. It really was just the two of them now, and for the first time she felt truly alone. The burden of being solely responsible for her brother weighed heavy on her shoulders. Her mum hadn’t provided either of them with much of a life, but she was determined Tommy’s would be better.