‘Michael weren’t hurt. The boys just picked on me and Roy, Dad,’ Vinny said. ‘They were a lot older than us,’ he added. ‘That’s why we lost the fight.’

‘What happened then? You must’ve said or done something to antagonize these lads?’ Albie asked, staring directly at his eldest for answers.

‘We didn’t do nothing. Honest,’ Roy winced, holding his poorly arm. He was in agony.

Queenie arrived home and left the evidence outside the front door. Viv explained that Michael had run off and Bill and the Kelly brothers were out looking for him.

‘My poor baby,’ Queenie said, her voice full of emotion. Michael wasn’t as streetwise, he was only five and she hated the thought of him scared and out alone in the dark.

‘I think Roy needs to go to the hospital, Queen. His arm looks broken to me,’ suggested Albie.

Queenie turned to her eldest two. If they lied to her, they’d have more than a broken arm between them. ‘What happened? And I want the truth.’

Vinny and Roy recited the same cock-and-bull story they’d told Aunt Viv and their father which was like a red rag to a bull as far as Queenie was concerned. She marched outside, gathered up the clothes she’d ripped off the guy and threw them at Vinny and Roy. ‘Recognize these?’

Vinny and Roy glanced at one another. Neither said a word.

‘Oi! That’s my best cap,’ Albie yelled.

Queenie walloped both boys hard around the head. ‘What have I told you about lying to me, you deceitful little toerags. As for begging, what have I told you about begging, eh? Only paupers beg – and you’re not fucking paupers. Your dear Aunt Edna died at that station and you got the cheek to sit outside and beg! The Kelly brothers never begged when they were your age. They worked hard, used to be barrow boys on the market. That’s why people respect them so much these days. Nobody respects beggars.’

‘But lots of other kids made guys too, Mum, and we only did it to earn some money to buy you nice Christmas presents,’ said Vinny.

‘I once knew a lad who dressed up as a guy himself. Got stabbed to death, he did. Some nutter came along and stuck a knife straight through him. Begging brings bad luck. Look what’s happened to you today. I take it the bigger lads tried to thieve your money?’

Vinny bowed his head. ‘Yeah. They took it.’

‘Serves ya bleedin’ right.’

‘Mum, my arm, I think it’s broken,’ Roy moaned, yet again.

‘Tough shit! You two need to go out and find your brother. You lost him, you can bloody well find him. And you’ll be going straight to bed when you get home. Naughty boys don’t deserve fireworks.’

‘Your feet aching? Want me to carry you?’ Bill asked young Michael. He’d found him wandering along The Waste, hobbling.

‘Yes, please. I’m gonna be in big trouble with me mum,’ Michael informed Bill as he lifted him into his arms. Michael had lost one of his shoes when he’d legged it in Bethnal Green and was unable to find the bloody thing even though he’d gone back and searched high and low for it.