She shook her head sadly. ‘I don’t know, but I will sort something out.’

Then she started to cry again and, pulling the car over, he shut off the engine and took her into his arms, comforting her as best he could. For the first time ever, he could cheerfully smack Lenny Scott right across his handsome face.

Chapter Fifty-Six

Liam was sitting beside his big brother on the sofa, watching warily as their dad tried to explain that he had not meant to hurt Mummy. Young Lenny was looking at his father with a face full of hate and fear. He had heard his father shouting at their mummy before, but he had never seen him hurt her like that. It had been such a frightening experience, and nothing his daddy could say would make it right. Young as he was, he knew that this was all wrong and that his mummy did not deserve to be hurt like that.

The boys were relieved when the front door opened and Mummy came in with Uncle Reggie. They rushed to her, but Liam held back when he saw the state of his mummy’s face. He burst out crying again and Lenny tried to pick up his son but the boy fought against him. He went to his mother and, grabbing her legs, he cried into her skirts as she soothed him, calmed him and rubbed his back.

Lenny, sober now, was looking in horror at what he had done to his wife’s face. He stepped towards her, his arms out in supplication, as he said brokenly, ‘Oh God . . . Shaz, I’m so fucking sorry. I could cut me hands off, darling . . .’

He was crying too now and Sharon felt a wave of pity wash over her for this man who she loved so much and who she knew could be unpredictable with a drink inside him.

Reggie watched as she pulled her son from her legs and allowed her husband to hold her against him tightly. It was as if they were alone now, both talking at once, Lenny begging her forgiveness and her forgiving him.

It was horrible to watch, and Reggie took the two little boys and shepherded them into the kitchen. He shut the door behind them and started to make the lads something to eat and drink. He guessed that what these two needed now was a bit of normality.

In the hallway Lenny was swearing on his boys’ lives that he would never raise his hand to her again, and Sharon was believing every word he said.

Reggie stayed until everything had calmed down and then the family drove off to stay at a hotel in the Lake District until Mummy’s face got better. Reggie cleaned up the house and set the burglar alarm before shutting the front door behind him.