‘I own an investment property on the other side of town that I was going to move into while I sorted Mom’s house, but why don’t I stay at Mom’s and you take the other house? You’ve got a little one, right?’

‘I’ve two. Wren and Tyson, Wren is ten and Ty, he’s only a baby.’

‘Oh, well, I guess congratulations are in order. The house is empty, but you can take furniture from Mom’s house.’ He smiled again.

‘I’m worried for their safety, but are you sure about the house?’

‘Definitely. It’s time to go. Head back home, pack up some things, a few bags, boxes of stuff you can’t live without and I’ll bring my pickup and trailer round and take you and your boys over. How’s that sound?’

Vanessa couldn’t verbalize her thoughts, so she merely nodded, smiling like an idiot at him. She gave him her address and her phone number, and he put them in his phone straight away. ‘What time shall I come over?’ Billy asked.

‘Mark has a split shift tonight, so he’ll be gone by eight o’clock. So maybe eight-thirty? We’ll be packed and ready to go. I don’t have any money to repay you or for rent, though.’ She was stricken and embarrassed. She couldn’t rely on more generosity, not when Billy was already being so generous. ‘I don’t work, what with Wren and now Ty…’ Her voice trailed off. They only had Mark’s wage coming in, and that was spent as soon as she got her meager portion.

‘Don’t worry for now. I won’t charge the deposit and we can talk about rent when you’re on your feet again.’

She felt like crying. ‘Why are you helping me?’ she asked bluntly.

‘Why? Because I’m a nice guy and you’re a nice girl. I remember when I was new to the school, you were kind to me.’

Vanessa had thought that he had a little crush on her in school, but she couldn’t read people anymore. Maybe he was just being helpful. ‘Thanks, Billy.’ She put her hand on his arm, and he looked down at it. She felt a blush creep up her neck. She couldn’t have an attraction toward her new landlord, that wouldn’t work. She had to focus on her children.

‘OK, I’d better get over to the other house and open the windows – give it a good airing out for you. It’s probably a bit musty.’

‘I honestly don’t care, Billy. I’d sleep in a tent to get away right now.’ He laughed, but then he saw that she was serious. She could see a flash of pity in his eyes and she had to swallow her pride.