Though reluctant, she went to hand Jenny the ring, but an image of Tommy popped into her head and she quickly stopped herself. It was wrong to keep it, but if she didn’t, Tommy would go hungry. Mrs Alderton-Steele didn’t need the money, and Jenny would easily find a replacement job. Without the ring, Tommy wouldn’t eat and she reasoned that he had to be her priority.

‘I’m sorry, Jenny, but I’ve got to dash. Good luck today, I hope it works out,’ Sarah said and fled over the bridge in the opposite direction from her friend. She’d felt so bad that she hadn’t been able to meet Jenny’s eyes, and inwardly recoiled at what she’d done.

For the first time, Sarah could see what her mother had meant when she’d spoken about hating herself and turning to drink. Sarah realised that no matter what it took, a mother would do whatever was needed to put food in the bellies of her children. She never thought she’d think the words, but as Sarah made her way to the market, she inwardly thanked her mother. She was finally grateful that her mum had sold herself, and understood the sacrifices and choices that a lone mother is forced to make.

At this moment, just as her mother had hated herself, Sarah didn’t like herself very much either, but her feelings of self-loathing were irrelevant compared to the drive to provide for her brother.

Mo was happy to look after Tommy as it helped relieve her boredom. Samuel was busy working long hours, and though she had tried working days too, it never went well for her. Either one of her brothers or her father would always turn up and cause trouble, so she’d end up getting her cards. It wasn’t ideal working evenings in the cinema, but it was dark most of the time, and so far her family hadn’t discovered she worked there.

She wasn’t content with the situation though. It meant she hardly saw Samuel. She’d suggested to him that maybe she shouldn’t work at all, but he wouldn’t hear of it, reminding her how important it was to save to buy their own house.

Tommy was sat quietly on the floor with the paper and paints he’d bought with the tanner Samuel had given him and his friend. He’d said he was painting a picture for Sarah to put on the wall next to her bed. Mo sneaked a peek and smiled. He was doing his best to copy one of Samuel’s paintings, and she thought how nice it was that her man had inspired the lad.

She stood up and began to pace the floor of her cramped room. The radio had broken, and the silence was driving her crazy. At least when Sarah came back she could enjoy some girlie gossip.