A few hours later, Mo strode into the market with Sarah, Tommy running a little ahead. She was looking forward to meeting George and checking out Roger. Sarah had told her about George’s face, not that it would have shocked her. Things like that didn’t bother her. She’d seen the broken bodies and aftermath of many accidents when her oldest brother had been an ambulance driver. It wasn’t allowed, but she’d often sneaked a ride with him.

As they walked into the market, it wasn’t difficult for Mo to recognise George and she spotted him immediately. It didn’t go unnoticed that his eyes lit up as soon as he saw Sarah approaching. ‘I see he still fancies you,’ she said, and nudged her friend in the ribs.

‘Behave yourself, Mo,’ Sarah said quietly out of the side of her mouth, ‘or there’ll be no fish and chips for you later.’

‘Hello, George. This is my friend Mo, she lives upstairs from me,’ Sarah said.

‘Nice to meet you,’ George said, though Mo wasn’t taking much notice as she was too busy looking past him to see Roger. He was just as good-looking as Sarah had described and she could see why her friend was so besotted with the man. She was admiring his profile as he turned his head and looked straight at her, catching her staring. He eyed her up and down, then flashed her a flirty smile. Mo glanced sideways at Sarah and saw she was occupied with looking at some of George’s stock, so returned his smile with equal flirtatiousness. She could tell by the way he was looking at her that he found her attractive, but Mo was used to this. Most men did.

‘What do you think of this dress?’ Sarah asked.

Mo pulled her eyes away from Roger and looked at the outfit Sarah was holding up. She thought it was hideous and very old-fashioned. ‘It’s nice. I’m sure it’ll really suit you,’ she lied.

As Sarah paid for the dress, Mo turned her attention back to Roger and was pleased to see him grab a few apples before making a beeline towards them.

‘Hi, Sarah. Are you going to introduce me to your friend?’ Roger asked.

Mo noticed George was frowning, and Sarah seemed to get herself in a bit of a tizzy.

‘This is Mo,’ Tommy answered for her. ‘Can I have an apple, please, Roger?’

‘Yes, there’s one here for you, and one for each of the beautiful ladies.’

Mo thought Roger’s voice sounded like smooth, dark velvet, and as she took the apple from him, she offered him a wicked but sly grin. His eyes met hers, but Mo looked away quickly, chastising herself for flirting with him. After all, she was virtually a married woman, and Sarah had first dibs on him.