The next hour passed quickly, with Molly checking the meal and making herself a brew, then going back and forth to the window to watch for him. ‘You selfish bastard,’ she muttered, dropping the curtains. ‘You’ve no thought for anybody but yourself.’

Molly was half asleep in the chair when she finally heard him fumbling at the door. A quick glance at the mantelpiece clock told her it was almost one o’clock in the morning. ‘Shame on him.’ Scrambling from her chair she went into the scullery, only to find the dinner steamed to a pulp.

‘Amy! I’m home!’ Throwing open the front door, Frank stumbled into the passage. ‘I’m a bit merry,’ he giggled. ‘Met an old pal in the boozer… we had a drink for old times’ sake.’ While he shouted, he made numerous attempts to shut the door, without success. ‘Bloody thing!’ Standing back he gave an almighty kick that sent the door home with a shudder, and himself sideways against the wall. ‘Amy!’ His voice rose to the rafters. ‘AMY!’

Making his way to the parlour, he kept on calling, ‘What’s your game, eh? Didn’t you hear me?’ Straddling the doorway he glared into the room. ‘What’s this then, eh?’ He felt oddly uncomfortable with his eldest daughter’s gaze on him. ‘What the hell are you staring at,’ he said rudely, ‘like I’ve got the pox or summat! And where’s yer mam?’

‘I’m here, Frank. Leave the lass alone.’ Behind him, Amy clung sleepily to the banister.

Taking her roughly by the arm, he dragged her inside. ‘So! Yer couldn’t even wait up for me, eh, you lazy bitch.’

Instinctively afraid, Amy dropped her gaze, but not Molly. As always, she stood her ground. ‘You’re drunk,’ she said in disgust.

‘So what! If I’m drunk it’s my money I’m spending, not yourn.’

Drawing from Molly’s strength, Amy looked up. ‘You haven’t spent all your wages, have you, Frank?’

‘None of your business.’ He blundered into a chair and cursed. ‘Bloody women!’

‘You’ve not been gambling, have you, Frank?’ Amy said fearfully. She knew from old that gambling would take his every penny, and hers, too.

He glared at her through bleary eyes. ‘And what if I have?’

When he saw her face fall he jeered, ‘You’ll manage. You always do.’

Suddenly he noticed there was no food on the table. ‘Hey! Where’s me bloody supper, eh?’ Banging his fist on the table, he screeched like a madman. ‘DID YOU HEAR WHAT I SAID, WOMAN? Move your arse and get some food on this table.’ His voice fell to a sinister tone. ‘Before I do summat I might regret.’ Already he was moving towards her.

‘Leave her alone, Dad.’ Molly took a step forward. ‘She’s not feeling too good.’

‘I don’t give a toss. She’ll get my food now! Or she’ll feel the buckle end o’ my belt, an’ no mistake.’ To make the point he began undoing the wide stiff khaki belt from around his waist.