‘Drag this family’s name through the dirt! Well, that’s not hard, is it? We’re only accepted because I keep this family’s name spoken with respect. Through fear, Mother, plain and simple fear. People are scared of me, Briony Cavanagh. They tolerate you because I do. If you disown our Kerry, then I will disown you and I mean that, Mother. Let Abel poxy Jones keep you in the manner you’ve become accustomed to. Let him pay your bills and put the food on your table. We don’t need you, woman, we never did. You needed us more. You couldn’t keep a sheep in wool and you know it! You’ve never got up off your arse and done a real day’s work in your life! You swan around Brick Lane market like the fucking Queen of Sheba. Well, in future you’ll swan around on Abel’s money. Disown us, go on, disown the lot of us. See how far it gets you. You’ll need us before we’ll ever need you, I can guarantee you that.’

Molly stood and stared at Briony, the daughter she had found it increasingly difficult to like as a child yet the one who had grown into a woman of substance, a woman of renown. All Briony had said was true. Molly was respected only because of this daughter. Because she was a force to be reckoned with, a woman no one in their right mind would cross. Except, of course, her mother. Now Molly had crossed her, and had had her answer. Well, she had a trump card still and she played it.

‘Take your money, see if I care. Me and Rosalee don’t need it, we can get along by ourselves.’

She looked at Briony shrewdly, sure that she would not want to think of Rosie going without. But Briony had outthought her and answered equally craftily.

‘That’s all right then. You and Rosie fend for yourselves. You do what you have to. But that little child is here whether you like it or not. So if you disown us, do it now because I have a lot to do today.’

Walking past her mother she left the room. Upstairs Kerry was lying on the bed, the screaming and swearing from below barely reaching her. Bernadette sat beside her holding her hand. Briony breezed into the room and said, ‘How are you feeling in yourself?’

Kerry shrugged. ‘All right, Bri, I suppose.’

‘I’m very pleased to hear that, love, because you’re going back to work tonight. You’re not ill, you’re pregnant, and we’re all going to brazen this out. So get rested and bathed, and later on dress yourself up to the nines. My club is waiting for you, love!’

Bernadette laughed with glee. This was more like it, this was Briony at her best.