Tommy stifled a grin at the look of utter shock on the old woman’s face. But she did as Briony asked her, taking the flowers with a snatch of the hand and a glare in his direction, before stamping from the room, slamming the heavy door behind her.

‘You look ill, girl, and I’m not surprised with that nutty old cow looking after you!’

He went to the window and opened it wide. ‘Get some air in here, for Christ’s sake.’

Briony watched him and felt a stirring inside her. She had needed a pick-me-up and it had come in the shape of Tommy Lane.

‘So how are you then?’

Briony smiled at him. ‘Not too bad, Tommy.’

He sat on the end of the bed and grinned at her. He knew instinctively that the child wasn’t in the house. There was no evidence of it anywhere. He took in the white face and the bound breasts and his heart went out to the girl in front of him. He immediately launched into a convoluted story that made Briony laugh despite herself and forget her own worries for a few moments. Mrs Horlock, bringing up the tea tray, heard the laughter coming down the stairs and decided that she would not press Briony about the boy. If he could cheer her up, he could move in for all she cared! She brought in the tray of tea, and a little while later a tray of sandwiches and cakes, without being asked. As Tommy ate another sandwich in one gobble, Briony grinned.

‘That means she likes you really, you got her angel cake.’

Tommy laughed. ‘I don’t care whether she likes me or not. We’re friends, ain’t we? Why can’t I visit a friend?’

He finished his sandwich and then asked Briony the question that had been in his mind since entering the house.

‘Where’s the baby?’

She sipped her tea delicately and the natural grace as she did this made Tommy want to grab her and hold her to him. To look after her.

‘Isabel - Mrs Dumas - took him last night.’

Tommy nodded.

‘Well, it’s for the best, girl. You’re only thirteen, you don’t want a nipper hanging around your neck at your age. Not only that, they can give him much more’n you could even if you had a man. Get yourself better, get yourself up and around. Start over again.’

Briony nodded at him, her face sad.

‘Come on, Bri, you don’t want to go worrying about what’s done. You just start worrying about what you’re going to do next. Now then, has she signed the house over to you?’

‘Oh, yes, and she’s put two thousand pounds away for me.’