Briony patted her hand and the action so startled the girl she flinched. ‘Calm down, Suzy! Anyone would think you had something to be frightened about.’ Briony’s voice was sad. ‘I know you must be devastated about Boysie, we all are. He was a good boy, my Boysie. A good kind boy. I miss him so much.’

Suzy took another drag on her cigarette and kept silent.

‘Have you seen the doctor about Junior?’

‘I’m fine. I just wish I could get it over with.’

‘I can understand that, but it will be over sooner than you think.’

Doreen bustled in with the tea and began chattering.

‘I’ve told her she should go back to her own home, there’s no room here for a baby. I’ve offered to go with her, like. After all, it is her house now, isn’t it?’ Doreen’s voice was innocent and Briony closed her eyes for a few seconds.

‘Yes it’s her house, Doreen, but maybe it brings back too many memories, eh, Suzy?’

Suzy made herself look into the older woman’s eyes and smile gratefully. ‘That’s right. I never want to go in there again. I can’t face the neighbours, after what happened...’

Briony sipped her tea and nodded understandingly. ‘I was wondering if you’d like to come to me until the baby arrives.’

‘No! No really, I want to be here with me mum. I don’t want to go anywhere else...’ Her voice was rising in panic.

‘All right, Suzy, calm down. It was only a suggestion. Everyone wants their own around them in times of upset. I can understand that. Only you are carrying all that’s left of my Boysie, see. It’s like my grandchild, I always thought of the twins as my own sons, as you know. Heard anything more from the reporters? I wondered if they’d asked you why you didn’t attend the funeral.’

Suzy stared down at her cup, unwilling to answer the question.

‘If you wanted money so badly, Suzy, you should have come to me. Especially with the baby coming. As long as I see the child regularly, you’ll be amply provided for. I’ve booked you in a private clinic, that way you won’t be mobbed by press when your time comes. I don’t expect you want to have the child in a blaze of publicity do you?’ Opening her bag, she took out a small white card. ‘This is the clinic’s address and phone number. Ring up and arrange your check ups with them. I’ll pay the bill so don’t worry about expense. They delivered Princess Margaret’s children, nothing but the best for my Boysie’s baby, eh?’