Now, as she rounded the entrance to the gravelled drive, she looked at the light in the upstairs window. A wave of guilt swept through her. How could she have left her mother alone, to go on a wild goose chase? Another thought entered her mind, causing her to take the stairs two at a time. What if her mother had tried to come after them, and had an accident? She knocked tentatively on the door to her mother’s bedroom.

Her mother’s voice called anxiously from the other side of the door. ‘Is that you, Liv?’

Olivia entered the room.

A visible wave of relief swept over her mother’s face. ‘Oh, Liv darling!’

Olivia rushed to her mother who was half in, half out of her chair. ‘Mum! What on earth were you thinking of?’

Her mother gave her a wobbly smile of embarrassment. ‘You took off like a hare, I was frightened you’d do something silly.’

Olivia gently assisted her mother back into the chair. ‘I’m sorry, Mum, I just didn’t think. I know what Dad can be like and I was worried he was out for Ted’s blood.’

Her mother gave her a chiding look. ‘I know he can be a law unto himself and he’s quick to react, but you can’t blame him for being angry, not after what he’d just read.’

Tears forming in her eyes, Olivia nodded guiltily. ‘But he’ll take it too far, Mum, he always does, and who knows what he’s capable of? Although I’m surprised he cares,’ she added bitterly. ‘He normally doesn’t give two hoots what I get up to as long as I don’t get in his way.’

Her mother arched an eyebrow. ‘A man with his reputation and you didn’t think he’d be bothered?’ She shook her head in disbelief. ‘Not even you can be that naive, Liv.’

‘So, you’re saying he’s only angry because he’s worried what other people might think of him?’

Her mother tutted softly. ‘Of course not! But it won’t have helped his temper any. People round here respect your father …’

‘You mean they fear him …’ Olivia interjected.

Her mother continued without responding. ‘If the truth gets out, his reputation will take a massive blow, and if people lose respect for him, they lose respect for the factory too, and that could prove disastrous.’

‘And that’s more important than me?’ said Olivia.

Catherine heaved a weary sigh. ‘That’s not what I’m saying at all.’

Olivia folded her arms across her chest. ‘You didn’t deny that they fear him, because you know it’s true.’