‘I’ve come to see my wife,’ Frank said belligerently. ‘Mrs Tattersall’s the name… Mrs Frank Tattersall.’

As he made his way over to Amy’s bed, the nurse thanked her lucky stars he didn’t belong to her. ‘I’d drown him soon as look at him,’ she murmured under her breath, and her pity for Amy was tenfold.

When Amy saw him approaching, her heart sank. ‘What do you want?’ she said. Her whole body stiffened. ‘Visiting time is long over.’

‘A man has his rights.’ Leaning over, he slobbered a kiss on her cheek. He would have kissed her full on the mouth but she turned away. ‘I can see you’re not pleased to see me.’

‘I’m tired, Frank.’ She didn’t want trouble, not in here. ‘Can’t you leave it till tomorrow?’

Grinning inanely, he imparted what the nurse had told him. ‘According to her back there, you could well be home in the next few days. What d’yer think to that, eh?’ Winking meaningfully, he slid his hand under the bedclothes and fondled her bare thigh. ‘I’ve missed you, lass,’ he said in a voice laden with lust. ‘Since you’ve been gone, there’s been nobody to keep me warm of a night.’ But it wasn’t warmth he wanted. It was her!’

Squirming, Amy tried to free herself. ‘Give over, Frank,’ she urged. ‘Somebody’s bound to see!’

Glancing round, he saw the woman in the neighbouring bed sneaking a look at them. In a loud voice he said, ‘Let the buggers see. They’re only jealous ’cos I’ve got my hand on your arse instead o’ theirs.’

Trying desperately to pull him off, Amy only succeeded in exciting him more. Sidling towards her, he grabbed her hand and placed it on his flies so that she could feel the hardness there. ‘See that?’ he hissed. ‘It’s desperate I am.’ He began kissing her ardently, his hands all over her. ‘Oh Amy, I want you that badly,’ he moaned. ‘If I close the curtains, they’ll not know what we’re up to, will they, eh?’ With that he swung round and began yanking on the curtains.

‘No, Frank!’

Incensed, he took her by the hair and yanking her head back, mimicked her to perfection. ‘What d’yer mean “No, Frank”! You’re my wife an’ you’ll do as you’re bloody well told!’

‘No, Mr Tattersall.’ The quiet, disciplined voice stopped him in his tracks. ‘It’s you who will do as you’re told.’ The night sister had been summoned, and Frank was swiftly escorted to the main doors, yelling and cursing all the way.

‘I’ll be back tomorrow,’ he raved. ‘She’d better be dressed and ready for home or I’ll raise the bloody roof, so help me!’

For a long time after he’d gone, Amy lay there shuddering, her mind in turmoil. The more she thought of what Frank had done, the more she loathed him.

She thought of the children, and Molly, and the tears ran freely down her face. If only they’d never been born, she thought. If only I’d never met him. But it was done now, and could not be undone, more’s the pity.