Lesley liked Sharon, and felt she was good for her son. What she didn’t like was her son’s occupation. She believed he was bright enough to go to university, and she saw his intelligence as a wasted asset. She would work on Sharon to get him out of the life he had chosen and on to a path that was much more fitting. He had the makings of a businessman and Lesley intended to move heaven and earth to see that he reached his full potential. In fact, that was her main aim in life where this boy of hers was concerned. He needed something to work for – work towards – and she hoped at least that this girl and the child she was carrying would be just what Lenny needed to put him on track. Lesley Scott had great plans for her only son, and she would make sure Sharon understood the importance of them.

‘That was generous of him, son. Jack was always good for a few quid if you worked hard for him.’

Lenny beamed at his father; he was made up and it showed.

Lesley kept her peace as they were not in their own home, but her opinion was obvious from the look on her face.

Ivy Conway watched the other woman warily; she wasn’t sure about Lesley Scott. She had a reputation as being a hard woman to cross. She didn’t go out drinking often, and she didn’t play bingo either. She was also a God-botherer by all accounts, never off the church doorstep. Ivy was a good Catholic, but she didn’t feel the need to traipse a path to the local church on a daily basis.

Del Conway was smiling as he poured the men another glass of whisky. Lenny sipped at his, but his father knocked his own back quickly.

‘To the young couple.’ Del raised his tumbler and toasted his daughter and his soon-to-be son-in-law happily. The women smiled and raised their cups of tea.

Ivy was secretly annoyed because she would have enjoyed a drink herself but because Lesley Scott had declined the offer – as if she’d been offered a glass of poison from Lucrezia Borgia herself – she thought it best to do the same. Big Lenny didn’t seem to take any notice of his wife’s behaviour and Ivy secretly admired him for that. Big Lenny Scott liked a drink, that was common knowledge.

Sharon Conway was looking at her intended with such love in her eyes even Ivy was impressed and grudgingly admitted to herself that the boy appeared to genuinely care for her pregnant daughter. Still, she maintained her opinion that they were young and fucking stupid. But the die was cast, and all they could do now was make the best of a bad situation.

Chapter Four