She put on a deep cerise suit, the skirt full, the waistband tight. As she walked it clung to her silk stockings. The jacket was long and shapeless, cut with a square neck, and she pinned a lizard-shaped diamond and ruby brooch on to the shoulder, giving the whole outfit a touch of class. She pulled her erratic hair up into a tight chignon, pinning it carefully, though tendrils of hair escaped, framing her face with their curls. Sighing, she gave up hope of getting it smooth and put on her make-up. Finally she buttoned up her shoes and looked at herself in the full-length mirror by her dressing table. She would have to do.

It was as she was sorting through her large black handbag that she heard the commotion in her hallway. Kerry’s voice, loud and strident, and Bernadette’s more modulated tones. With a grim face she left her bedroom and walked to the top of the staircase.

‘So you’re here then? I was expecting you sooner.’

Kerry stared malevolently up at her sister.

‘You bitch! You bloody cow! You think you’re so clever, don’t you?’

Briony walked down the stairs. Cissy and Mrs Horlock watched with interest, Bernadette with fear.

‘I tried to stop her coming here, Bri, she’s out of her mind. Don’t take any notice of her...’

Kerry looked dreadful. Her clothes were mud-stained, the hem of her brocade coat looked as if it had been dragged through the dirt. Her legs were filthy, her white stockings black and laddered, her hair uncombed and tangled. She turned wild eyes on Bernie and shouted: ‘Oh, don’t try and smooth this over. This can’t be forgotten, swept under the carpet like the old man’s death! This is my business, mine! So why don’t you piss off out of it? Keep your nose out where it ain’t wanted!’

Briony walked down the stairs. She looked at Cissy and Mrs Horlock and said calmly, ‘Make some tea.’

The two women left the hallway through the green baize door, but Briony knew they would stand behind it listening. There was no way they would want to miss all this. Kerry tensed as Briony walked over to her, but Briony passed by and opened the door to the lounge.

‘Come in here and do your talking. And I mean talking, not shouting. I’ve got a headache actually, and your voice is going right through my head.’

Kerry stood uncertainly. She had expected a lot, but not this. The calmness of Briony threw her, as Briony had known it would. Kerry watched Briony disappear and had no option but to follow, with Bernadette hot on her heels.

Briony was standing by the fireplace, her immaculate clothes and hair making Kerry more annoyed with each passing second.