Mo handed Sarah a cup of tea, then pulled out one of the chairs from under the table before sitting down. ‘You’ve just lost your mum, so I can understand that you probably feel very alone, but are you sure that’s a good idea? I mean, you said your mum sounded pretty adamant that he hadn’t wanted you.’

‘Yes, I know, but it was such a long time ago. I can’t shake him from my head. Every night I lie in bed and try to imagine what he’s like. I won’t rest until I know the truth for myself.’

‘You’ve got to do what feels right for you, but just watch your step. For all you know, he could be a right bastard like my old man.’

‘Yeah, I know he could, but on the other hand he might not be,’ Sarah replied positively.

Mo sipped her hot tea. ‘That Mr Terence will be here any minute now. What did you think of him?’

‘I’ve never met him. He wasn’t around when I came to look at my room. Mrs Preston showed it to me and she was a right snooty cow!’

‘Oooh, I say, you are honoured. Mrs P don’t show her face often, not round here. You’re right though, she is proper stuck up but it’s all fur coat and no knickers with her.’

Sarah spluttered on her tea. ‘What do you mean, fur coat and no knickers?’

‘She thinks she’s a cut above the rest of us, but she’s nothing special. My gran knew her from years back when they were neighbours. Mrs Preston, or Connie Spittal as she was known then, grew up in a two-up two-down with an outside lavvy just like the rest of us. Connie had a sister called Edna and together they were known as phlegm and gob, the Spittal sisters.’

Sarah spluttered with laughter.