He cleared his throat, before saying, ‘I think Annie, your mother, is very much mistaken. I’m sorry you’ve had a wasted journey to see me. Now, if there’s nothing else, I’ll see you out.’

She hadn’t expected her dad to welcome her with open arms, but she hadn’t been prepared for such a quick and cold denial. ‘Wait, I’m sorry, but I think you are my father. Look at my eyes, they’re the same as yours. My mum told me all about you, and how you left her when you knew she was pregnant. It was a long time ago, I don’t bear grudges as you were both much younger then, but you are my dad.’

Ron quickly scraped his chair back, and began pacing up and down the small room. He looked worried, panicked almost, but Sarah couldn’t understand why. Yes, she’d just dropped a bombshell on him, but according to her mother he must have known he had a love child and surely he’d thought about her turning up one day?

‘I’m not sure what you want from me, Sarah. You can’t prove anything, and you can’t go around accusing people of being your father just on your mother’s word.’

‘I’m not accusing anyone! I know you’re my dad and I’m not here because I want something from you,’ Sarah answered, feeling hurt.

‘Then what do you want?’

Her father’s voice was harsh, and Sarah could feel tears beginning to pool in her eyes. She hadn’t wanted to cry in front of him – at least not tears of upset. ‘I don’t know really. I suppose I just wanted to know you,’ she said, and looked imploringly at him.

‘I’m sorry, Sarah, but you’re wasting your time. I never believed your mother was pregnant. I thought she was just trying to trap me into being with her. For all I know you could be the result of whatever Tom, Dick or Harry she took to her bed after me. I don’t mean to sound unpleasant, but I know all about your mother and what she did for a living. She’s been nicked for it a few times. Look, whatever silly notion you’ve got in your head, just forget about it.’

Sarah couldn’t hold back any longer and the tears began to fall, splashing on the table as they landed. ‘How dare you talk about my mum like that! She was forced to be a prostitute ’cos you left us high and dry. How else was she supposed to look after me when you abandoned us?’

‘Stop it. Shut up and stop what you’re saying right now. I won’t have you talking like that. Your mother was a tart and I’m not your dad! Now get that through your skull.’