‘And then what?’ He made no answer and she leaned across and put a hand on his knee. ‘Don’t be a fool, lad. Give yourself up before it’s too late.’

Which was exactly what the Gunner had been thinking, but he didn’t say so. Instead, he got to his feet and grinned. ‘I’ll think about it. In any case there’s nothing for you or Jenny to worry about. I’ll clear out of here in an hour or so when it’s a bit quieter, if that’s all right with you.’

He went into the kitchen and found the girl at the sink, an apron around her waist, washing the dishes. ‘Need any help?’

‘You can dry if you like.’

‘Long time since I did this.’ He picked up a tea towel.

‘Even longer before you do it again.’

‘Heh, what have I done?’ he demanded.

‘It’s just that I can’t stand waste,’ she said. ‘I mean look at you. Where on earth do you think you’re going to go from here? You won’t last long out there with every copper for miles around on the watch for you.’

‘Whose side are you on then?’

‘That’s another thing. You can’t be serious for a moment – not about anything.’

She returned to the dishes and the Gunner chuckled. ‘I’m glad you’re angry anyhow.’

‘What’s that supposed to mean?’

‘Better than no reaction at all. At least you’re interested.’

‘You’ll be lucky. The day I can’t do better I’ll jump off Queen’s Bridge.’

But she was smiling and some of the tension had gone out of her when she returned to the washing-up. ‘I was having an interesting chat with your gran,’ the Gunner said. ‘Seems you’ve got your hands full at the moment.’

‘Oh, we get by.’

‘Sounds to me as if you need a good man round the place.’

‘Why, are you available?’

He grinned. ‘I wish I was, darlin’.’

The judas gate banged outside and steps echoed across the yard. Jenny Crowther frowned. ‘That’s funny, I dropped the latch when I went out earlier.’

‘Anyone else got a key?’

‘Not as far as I know. I’ll see who it is. You’d better stay here.’ He waited, the kitchen door held open slightly so that he could see what took place. Ma Crowther appeared from the other room and watched as Jenny opened the front door.

The man who pushed his way inside wore a donkey jacket with leather patches on the shoulders and had obviously had a drink. He was hefty enough with arms that were a little too long, but his face was puffed up from too much beer and the weak mouth the biggest giveaway of all.

‘And what might you want at this time of night, Joe Ogden?’ Ma Crowther demanded.