‘Hello, love. What are you doing here at this time of night?’

Switching her angry gaze from Irena to him, Marie said, ‘I want to see Evan. She reckons she hasn’t seen him, but I know he’s here, so tell him to stop hiding and come out and face me.’

‘He’s not here, love,’ Frank replied truthfully. ‘Did he tell you he was coming over tonight?’

A flicker of uncertainty flashed into Marie’s eyes, but she quickly blinked it away and raised her chin.

‘You know damn well he hasn’t been home since he came to help you with your cars last week, so stop covering for him. He hasn’t been in work since, and none of his mates have seen him, so he’s got to be here.’

‘I promise you he’s not,’ said Frank. ‘He did call round last week, but we had words and I told him to leave. I haven’t heard from him since.’

‘So where is he?’ Marie’s voice had risen in pitch, and tears were glistening in her eyes.

Frank had never been overly keen on the woman, but she looked so distraught, he had to stuff his hands into his dressing gown pockets to keep himself from reaching out to her.

‘I honestly have no idea, love. Knowing him, he’s probably been on a bender, and now he’s hiding out somewhere, trying to pluck up the courage to face you. I’m sure he’ll turn up soon, so why don’t you go home and get some sleep, eh? You look exhausted.’

‘Of course I’m exhausted,’ Marie replied spikily. ‘I’ve been ill all week, and I’ve barely had the energy to get out of bed, so I didn’t need to be worrying about Evan on top of it all.’

‘Have you tried ringing him?’ Frank asked.

‘Numerous times,’ said Marie. ‘And I’ve left loads of messages, but he hasn’t answered any of them. And you haven’t answered when I’ve tried to ring you,’ she added accusingly. ‘That’s why I know you’re covering for him.’

‘My phone’s got a fault,’ Frank lied. ‘I haven’t heard it ringing.’

‘Mobile broke as well, is it?’ Marie gave him a disbelieving look.

Frank gave a guilty little shrug, and said, ‘I’m sorry, love, but I don’t know what else to tell you.’

‘I know you’re lying,’ Marie sniffed, taking a tissue out of her pocket and swiping at her nose. ‘I’ve given it a week, but enough’s enough. If he’s not man enough to face me, you can tell him not to bother coming back this time. I’ve bent over backwards to put things right since he came home after stopping here the last time he walked out, and everything’s been great, so I don’t understand why he’s doing this.’