‘Huh! Last night you picked a fight with your new minders, Jimmy and David Harles. You woke up first the whole street, then the whole household, and you told Cissy to fuck off out of it at three o’clock this morning. You took a swing at Tommy, which is why he’s not in bed beside you. I don’t know where he went, but if it was to another woman, who could blame him.’

Briony groaned, it was all coming back to her slowly, in crystal clear pictures.

‘My God.’

‘Well, I’m glad you think of him as yours because I’ve a feeling on me you just might need him. What’s wrong with you, girl? You’ve been like a bear with a sore arse for weeks.’

Briony shook her head and said sadly, ‘I really don’t know. I feel like I’m going to explode or something. Since we had all the carry on with Olds, we’ve had people constantly sitting outside the house. I can’t shit but I have to have a minder with me! I feel as if my whole life’s in everyone else’s hands but me own. Even the clubs had to tighten security, the houses have more locks on them than Fort Knox! The girls treat me differently. It’s “Miss Cavanagh” this and “Miss Cavanagh” that. I feel like a freak.’

‘Oh, my heart’s bleeding for you. Don’t give me all that old fanny, Briony. You made your bed, as the saying goes. And there’s another saying might interest you: Don’t play with the big boys unless you know the rules to their games.’

‘Oh sod off!’

‘Drink your tea and get washed, you smell like a drayman’s cart! Then get yourself out of that bed and come and eat something. Your mother will be here soon, about the wedding. Not that you’ve shown much interest in that either this last few weeks!’

The old woman took the mug of tea and thrust it into her hands.

‘Get that down your neck and I’ll run you a bath, then you can apologise to Cissy and the minders as well. No one, no matter who they are, is above common courtesy. Remember that, young lady.’

She flounced from the room and Briony closed her eyes and sighed. The truth hurt, but sometimes it was a welcome pain. She drank her tea.

Molly sat with Eileen and Rosalee, her face dark. Briony walked into the room and smiled widely, ignoring the pain thumping in her head.

‘Hello, Mum, Eileen.’ Kneeling down she kissed Rosalee’s face. ‘Hello, Rosie.’ Rosalee hugged Briony to her.

‘This is a fine time to crawl out of bed, I must say, and your sister getting married.’

Briony laughed.

‘What? You getting married today then, Ei? Have I missed the service?’

Eileen burst into tears and Briony realised something had gone drastically wrong.