He watched her walk away and felt the sting of tears once more. It was up to her now. She could make or break him. Oh, Lenny, he thought, how will I live without you? And Sharon Scott was clearly thinking the exact same thing.

Reggie Dornan ran to her then, and said sadly, ‘We both loved him and that is something we can never change. But, no matter how much you hate me, I will always be there, looking out for you and the boys. Whether you want me to or not. It’s the last thing I can do for him.’

His voice was choked with emotion and it suddenly occurred to Sharon that he was hurting just as much as she was. That, like her, he was bereft. As his arms went round her she felt herself holding on to him and then the real tears came. The deep sobbing that she knew she had to allow before she could ever really start to heal.

‘Oh, Reggie! Oh, God. He’s really gone. He’s gone and I hurt so much.’

He held her tightly, his own tears mingling with hers as he said over and over again, ‘I know, darling. I know.’

Jack Johnson came outside and sighed sadly as he saw them. He thought for a fleeting few seconds how lovely it would be if they got together at some point. After all, they had both loved Lenny in their own ways.

Sharon cried into Reggie’s chest and felt the stone of hatred gradually softening.

She knew she would need Reggie in the future, and that there was no way she could ever let on about what she knew. But now, at this minute, she felt safer in his arms than she had since Lenny’s death. Reggie would always be there for her. His guilt would see to that.

Book Three

Behold, I come as a thief.

Revelation 16:15

Chapter Eighty-Four

1991

Sharon Scott was fuming and both her boys knew why.

‘Are you fucking stupid? Bringing all this to my door! Who do you two think you are, eh? You’re always fighting.’

She searched their faces for some kind of answer but, as usual, there was nothing. Liam looked sorry, but she knew that wasn’t because of the fighting – it was because he had vexed her and he never liked to hurt her in any way. He was sorry for making her sad, not for the fight that had caused so much trouble. He was a good boy in that respect and he loved her dearly. But, like young Lenny, he found trouble before it found him. She sighed in consternation. Lenny was his father’s son – he would go his own road. They both would.

‘You’re suspended from school. I hope you are pleased with yourselves. Like I haven’t got enough on my plate.’