Katie heard her mother’s intake of breath. She was kneeling by the fender, head turned to look at Katie as she stood by the table. Their eyes met and, in those seconds, Katie knew it was too late to deny anything. Her stomach had taken on an unmistakable roundness and Vera was staring straight at it. Katie felt her cheeks burn.

There was a moment of silence as Vera got slowly to her feet. Then she advanced like a prowling tiger. Katie took a step back, horrified at her demented expression.

‘What’ – she pointed an accusing finger – ‘is that?’

Katie looked down helplessly at her expanding belly, unable to meet her mother’s burning gaze.

‘Look at me!’ Vera shrieked. ‘Don’t you dare look away from me! What is that . . . That swollen . . . thing doing in this house? It’s true, isn’t it? I knew something was going on – it’s that Collinge chap, isn’t it? You stupid, stupid—’

The stinging slap her mother delivered across her face forced Katie to look up in shock, tears of pain filling her eyes.

‘Ow – don’t! Don’t hit me!’ Holding her cheek, she burst into tears. ‘What’re you hitting me for?’

Vera was beside herself. ‘What d’you damn well think I’m hitting you for, you stupid, dirty girl!’ She began by screaming, but managed to lower her voice in case any of the neighbours might hear. She came up close, taking hold of the neck of Katie’s cardigan, her whole face bitterly contorted. The rest of her words came out as a venomous hiss. ‘It’s true, isn’t it? You’ve gone and let him have his way with you, and now look at you!’

Katie couldn’t deny it. She nodded, but she could feel defiance growing in her.

‘Well, what d’you want me to say? I’ve been biting my lip long enough, but my God, I should’ve said something before. You’d better get him to marry you right away, there’s nothing else for it. I just hope he does the decent thing or you’re ruined, my girl – no two ways about it!’

‘Of course he will,’ Katie defended him. ‘We love one another – only he doesn’t know yet. I haven’t told him.’

Vera gave a nasty laugh, folding her arms across her chest. She was working herself up into more of a mocking rage by the minute.

‘No, I bet you damn well haven’t! All these years I’ve brought you up, scrimping and saving, and trying to give us a respectable life amid all the dregs . . . And how d’you thank me for it, you little slut? Spreading your legs for the first man who comes along. My God . . .’ She was so worked up that for a moment Katie thought she was going to have a fit. Her voice turned to a growl. ‘Look at you – just like your father. You’re like him down to the bone – oh!’ She backed away and slapped her hand down hard on the table. Katie saw that the pan of water for the carrots was boiling away, steam pouring into the cold air. My father? Katie thought. What on earth is she talking about?