Mo thought it looked like a load of coloured blobs, but said, ‘It’s really good, Tommy, and I’m sure your sister will love it.’

‘Yeah, I bet she will,’ Tommy agreed happily.

Mo took out her compact and studied her face in the mirror. She knew that she was better-looking than Sarah and patted her wavy hair. She took great pride in her appearance and always liked to look her best. She loved Samuel, or at least she believed she did, but a girl’s gotta keep up her standards, she thought, because you never know who you might meet.

George saw Sarah walking towards him. He was pleasantly surprised as he hadn’t expected to see her again until after her mother’s funeral. As she approached he studied her face to gauge her mood. He thought she looked worried, and as he saw her eyes flitting around the market he wondered why she seemed so nervous.

‘Hello, Sarah. You all right?’ he asked, noting how she kept looking over her shoulder.

‘Hello, George. Yes, I’m fine thanks. I … I … erm … I’ve got this ring … Can you sell it for me?’ Sarah pulled the ring from her coat pocket and held it out, but she kept her hand close to her body and was still flicking her eyes all over the place.

George got the impression she was trying to hide something. ‘Blimey, that looks a bit special. Did you find it down on the banks again?’

‘Yes … yes, of course I did,’ Sarah snapped.

‘I tell you what, girl, you ain’t half bleedin’ lucky with all that gear you find. Some poor bugger’s loss, but your gain. Are you still interested in working with my mum, or are you going to stick to treasure hunting? You’re bloody good at it!’

‘What’s with all the questions? Can you sell the ring or not?’

George stepped back, shocked at how sharply she’d spoken to him. ‘Sorry, I was only being friendly. Pardon me for breathing. Yes, of course I can try to sell it for you.’

Sarah stuffed the ring back into her pocket. ‘On second thoughts, forget it,’ she said, then spun around and marched off.

George blinked as he tried to understand what had just happened. If he’d offended her, he certainly hadn’t meant to. He gave chase, and called to Sarah, but she continued to storm on ahead.

Once he finally caught up with her, he pulled on her arm. ‘Hey, Sarah, wait up. Sorry, love, if I said something to upset you. Look, come back to my stall and we’ll see about getting this ring sold for you.’

Sarah stared wide-eyed at George, then lowered her head, and her shoulders beginning to shake.

‘Hey, come on, what’s wrong?’ George asked as he saw big tears rolling down her cheeks.

‘Oh, George … I’m such a horrible person,’ she cried.