Bernie gave everyone their drinks. Putting her arm on Kerry’s, she said sweetly: ‘I don’t want to fall out over this, Kerry. You’re my sister and I’ll keep this a secret for as long as you want. I mean it. If you’re happy then I’m happy. If you really want me to leave I will. I won’t stay where I’m not wanted. But even if you ding me out, I won’t say a dicky bird to anyone.’

Kerry looked into the face so like her own and felt the sting of tears in her eyes.

She knew that Bernie was staying whether she wanted it or not, Evander’s reaction had seen to that. But it saddened her that she could never trust her sister, or indeed understand the hatred in her. It had always been the same. Since they were babies Bernie had always had a vicious streak where she was concerned. It was jealousy, and jealousy made people do evil things. For the first time Kerry was really frightened, not for herself but for Evander.

Molly was putting the finishing touches to the lunch she had prepared for Joshua O’Malley and his mother. She swept her eyes around her house to make sure everything was gleaming. Satisfied, she went to the fireplace and, taking up a large brick, banged it on the back of the grate three times. The banging was answered by two knocks from the other side of the wall and two minutes later Mother Jones came in at Molly’s front door.

‘Oh, Molly, it looks a picture. Beautiful. Even that old bitch won’t be able to find fault.’

Molly smiled in satisfaction. Elizabeth O’Malley was the only fly in the ointment as far as Eileen’s wedding was concerned. Hated by everyone in Dagenham and Barking for her vindictive tongue and her holy Joeing ways, she was now to become a member of the Cavanagh family, and as much as the thought distressed Molly she would take a lot to see her eldest daughter happily married, even take on Elizabeth O’Malley if necessary.

‘The food smells beautiful, now stop your worrying. Did I tell you what I heard the other week?’

Molly busied herself tidying Rosalee’s hair and said, ‘No, what?’