Ivy was staying with her daughter while Ray was out of town. She lived for these visits; seeing the boys doing well and knowing her daughter was settled with a decent man did her heart good.

Del loved Ray with a passion that bordered on mania. He thought he was the greatest living human being since Muhammad Ali and, in Del’s world, that was praise indeed. But Ivy had to admit the man was good. Her daughter and her grandsons were living a near-perfect life and that was thanks to Ray’s dedication. She had worried for those children even before Lenny had passed on. They were almost out of control, but Ray was so good with them, so kind and patient, that the lads had responded well to him. They adored him as he did them.

But her Sharon was looking a bit peaky and Ivy was worried about her. She knew she fretted about Ray when he went away on business. But Ivy reasoned that was to be expected, after what had happened with Lenny. Here one moment and dead the next – murdered. Sharon had been the one to identify the body. He had been so badly tortured and beaten he had been almost unrecognisable and that had to affect her girl. It would affect anyone, something like that happening. There had never been a whisper of who might have been behind it all, but that was not too unusual in the world he had lived in. Unexpected violence was part of the price you paid for the life you chose.

‘You all right, love? Can I get you a cup of tea?’

Sharon smiled tiredly. ‘I’m fine actually, Mum. This baby is lying on my bladder and I am going to the loo every ten minutes as it is.’

Ivy laughed. ‘I remember it well! Still, it’ll be worth it once it arrives.’

Sharon nodded, but Ivy could see there was something ailing her daughter.

‘He will be back before you know it, Sharon. Stop worrying. Nothing bad is going to happen.’

Sharon sat up in her chair and said, smiling, ‘You are right, Mum. Go on then – I will have that cup of tea after all!’

Pleased to have allayed her daughter’s fears, Ivy trotted off happily to put the kettle on. Alone, Sharon let her mask slip. She wasn’t even sure what exactly was bothering her; all she knew was that something wasn’t right.

Chapter One Hundred and Thirty-Five