Bernadette made the tea. She was bringing in a cup when Kerry emerged from the bedroom, dressed.

‘Where you going?’

Kerry looked at her in amazement. ‘Where the hell do you think? Stepney.’

Bernie put the cup of steaming tea on the small hall table. ‘He won’t be there.’

‘How do you know? He might not have gone yet, she might have just told him he had to go, maybe he’ll still be there, he might have left a message for me.’ Kerry knew she was babbling.

‘Calm down, will you? You’ll have the whole place on the knocker in a minute.’

Pushing Bernadette out of the way, she grabbed her bag and keys and left the flat. Bernadette followed her out on to the stairwell.

‘For Christ’s sake, Kerry, it’s pointless going there, can’t you see that? Please come back inside. We’ll talk about it, try and sort something out!’

Kerry laughed nastily. ‘You and me, talk? You must be joking! Who told on us, eh? I bet it was you. You vindictive cow! I bet you loved every second of it. I wouldn’t put nothing past you. Nothing!’

Outside on the street she tried to unlock her car. Her hands were trembling so much she dropped the keys. Kicking them across the road in a temper, she flagged down a passing cab. ‘Stepney, East Street. Quick as you can.’

The cabbie laughed.

‘What’s the matter, darling? Your old man doing a moonlight flit?’

‘Just drive the sodding cab, mate, and shut your mouth up! If I wanted a fucking comedian I’d have arranged to have Stan Laurel drive me!’

The cab driver shut up. Dressed like a lady and with the mouth of a dockside harpy. Now he was sure he’d seen everything. She jumped from the cab at the top of East Street, throwing the man ten shillings as his fare. He took the money and saluted her like a general before driving off.

Kerry walked down East Street. She was dressed in a deep red brocade evening coat, with fur collar and cuffs. The coat swung as she walked, displaying a suit of pale pink wool that hugged her ample figure. She wasn’t wearing a hat but her hair was fresh-looking, swinging healthily with each step she took.