‘It’s nothing to do with me being lazy, although I’ll admit I don’t relish the idea of going up there, because I can’t see what good can come from it.’

Nana sucked her lips in before letting them out with a smacking noise. ‘Because there’s something really fishy about all of this, and I think we should have questioned him a long time ago, instead of turning a blind eye and taking his word on everything. Let’s face it, Ivor, we were both surprised at how well he handled the situation.’

Her husband’s patience was beginning to wear thin. ‘What could he possibly be hiding that was so awful? No matter which way you look at it, our great-grandchild didn’t make it. In my book, that’s as bad as it gets.’

Matilda agreed with her husband, but deep down she had an uneasy feeling that William was hiding something much bigger than the death of their great-grandchild. The question was, what?

Back in Shirehampton Maude and Josie were eager to hear their friend’s news regarding her trip home to Liverpool.

‘What’s the city like?’ asked Maude, as Olivia joined them at their table. ‘Mam and Dad say it’s not too bad, and not to worry, but I’ve heard the news reports same as the rest of you, and I think they’re playing it down so as not to upset me.’

Olivia set her lips into a grim line. ‘It’s bad, Maude, but the people are in good spirits, which is what’s important.’

Maude nodded. ‘I thought as much.’ She gently blew over the surface of her tea. ‘So how did it go with Ted?’

Olivia briefly considered her answer. ‘Good. As you’d imagine, it was a bit awkward at first, but once we got talking it was as if no time had passed.’

Gazing steadily at Olivia, Josie rested the side of her face against the palm of her hand. ‘What news did he have on your father?’

Olivia took a deep breath before telling them everything, from the moment she stepped off the train in Lime Street Station to the moment she got back on.

‘Bloody hell!’ breathed Josie. ‘I reckon your grandfather’s right, Liv, you want to cut that man out of your life like you would a cancer.’

Maude agreed. ‘I don’t understand. My father’s nothing like yours, and if that’s what money does to a person, then I think you’re better off without it.’

‘Me too,’ said Olivia. ‘I can’t think why Nana wants me to have anything to do with him, but she does.’ She glanced around the empty hut. ‘Where’s Beth?’

Maude and Josie exchanged glances.

Olivia gave them a questioning look. ‘What?’

‘As soon as you’d gone she applied to be transferred,’ said Josie.

‘Only she got turned down,’ Maude added hastily.

Olivia looked at them, surprised. ‘She asked to be moved? But why?’