She heard the door shut behind Isabel and clenched her fists together on the counterpane.

Benedict. Benedict, my son.

My flesh and blood.

It was not a name she would have chosen herself. It was a name for a child of the Dumases. Somehow, even the name made the gulf between Briony and her child wider.

Tommy Lane had had a good day. He was happy as he made his way up the path to Briony’s house. In his hand he carried a bunch of flowers. Red carnations, blood red. He knocked at the front door with a flourish. He was looking forward to seeing Briony. The door was opened by Cissy, and he took in the split second hesitation as she looked at him and deliberately walked back into the hall. He smiled at her.

‘I’ve come to see Miss Bricany Cavanagh.’

‘Well, I didn’t think you’d come to see me, lad.’

Her sharp cockney accent made Tommy smile.

‘I’m not sure what Mrs Horlock’s going to say about this, I’m sure.’

‘I’m not too worried about Mrs Horlock, love. You go and tell Briony that Tommy Lane’s here and wants to see her.’

Mrs Horlock appeared as if from nowhere.

‘You’re not seeing anyone, young man.’

Tommy sized the old woman up and decided she sounded more ferocious than she looked.

‘As I was just remarking to this young lady, you go and tell Briony that Tommy Lane’s here. I think she’ll see me.’ It was said with an air of confidence that made Mrs Horlock bristle.

‘She’s only just out of childbed. It ain’t seemly!’

Tommy rolled his eyes and started walking up the stairs. Cissy watched Mrs Horlock dart up behind him and threw her apron over her head in shock, closing her eyes tightly.

The cheek of him!

Brushing Mrs Horlock off like a fly, he opened all the doors he came to until he found Briony. Holding out the flowers at arm’s length, he walked over to her with Mrs Horlock soundly berating him as she chased in behind.

‘It ain’t right, Miss Briony! This lout here needs a clout round the earhole. Pushing his way in and upsetting the whole house. Suppose the mistress had been here? What would have happened then, I ask you?’

Briony took the carnations and held them under her nose. She breathed in the scent of them and smiled. Her first real smile. Pointing them at Mrs Horlock, she snapped: ‘In case it’s escaped your notice, to all intents and purposes I’m the mistress here now! So take these flowers and put them in water, and then bring us some tea.’