The radio clipped to his shirt pocket issued a constant stream of voices and commands. There were plenty more urgent matters to attend to, tonight and every night. The policeman picked up his cap and straightened it on his head. ‘Keep a closer eye on her in future, please.’

‘My feelin’s pre-cisely,’ Jerry growled.

After the policeman had gone and before Evelyn and Cassie came back, Penny squared up to Jerry. Her back was rigid; the top of her head came level with his shoulder. In a small, even voice she said to him, ‘Listen to me, Jerry. Are you listening?’

Unwillingly, Jerry nodded his handsome head.

‘Evelyn and I look after Cassie. What happened today was terrifying for us all, but it’s over and thank God Cassie came to no harm. Evelyn doesn’t always know what she wants, but she’s learning to trust her instincts. She loves Cassie and so do I. I love Evelyn too, but I care for Cassie more than I have ever cared for anything, or anyone, in my whole life. I will not let anyone harm a hair on her head, or Evelyn’s. Not now, or in the future.’ Her voice dropped even lower, but the intensity in it made me shiver. ‘And that includes you.’

Jerry shifted on his feet. I saw his eyes slide in my direction, then settle on Paul. He struggled with himself for a moment and then evidently decided that he didn’t want any further discussion of this in front of the trumpeter from his pub soul band. He lifted his hands and laughed, making an exaggerated backing-off movement. Penny stood quite still, stiff-backed, regarding him. ‘Hey. Whatever you say, my lady.’

‘I do say.’

‘You just take proper care of my women from now on, right?’

To Jerry they were his women. That would always be the way. Penny didn’t even deign to blink. Jerry hesitated, then turned away to clap Paul on the shoulder. He held out his hand. Drily Paul shook it.

Jerry grinned. ‘Thank you, my man, for what you did tonight. And I’ll be seein’ you at the gig Friday night, is that right?’

Paul said yes, he would be there, then I said we ought to go. We left Jerry, and Penny followed me outside.

‘Sadie? Wait, Sadie.’ Her mouth was quivering now. She took both my hands in hers. ‘Thank you, thank you for finding her,’ she whispered, and she lifted my hands and pressed her lips to each set of knuckles in turn.

The gesture touched me deeply. ‘What did I do? Nothing. Say goodnight to Cassie for me.’

‘I will,’ Penny said. ‘Thank you, both of you.’

Paul drove me home, but at the door he said, ‘I think I’ll leave you to yourself this evening.’