‘What’s the matter? You’ve been crying. I can tell.’

‘It’s Bill. He didn’t come home until the early hours again this morning. Reckons he was working, but I don’t believe him, Queen. I was sure I could smell another woman on him. He’s having an affair, I know he is.’

‘Well, did you confront him?’ Queenie didn’t have such worries with Albie. She doubted any other woman would want him.

‘Yes. But he denied it, of course. He swore he was working and, in fairness, he did give me a load of money.’

‘How much?’

‘Forty quid. He told me to treat myself and take Lenny somewhere nice. He won’t come with us though. I see the way he looks at Lenny. He don’t love him. Neither does he understand him. Not like we do. Bill wanted a son like himself, a chip off the old block, and Lenny ain’t ever gonna be that, is he?’

‘No. But with our love and the guidance of Vinny, Roy and Michael, Lenny’s gonna be just fine, Viv. My boys have got his back, you know that.’

Vivian’s eyes filled with tears. ‘I know. It just breaks my heart though that his own dad don’t love him.’

Queenie held her youngest sister in her arms. ‘Look, I’m not Bill’s biggest fan, but chances are, he’ll come round in time. He’s very generous to you, Viv. I’d have a cardiac if Albie came home and shoved forty quid in my hands. Look at your beautiful home. You’ve got lovely carpets, curtains, ornaments. You’ve even got a TV and a radiogram. We had sod all as kids, remember that? I wish my home was as posh as yours. So my advice to you is stick by Bill for the time being. I’ve heard no rumours about him having an affair and until you have proof, do nothing.’

The conversation was ended by Lenny and Brenda running into the kitchen. ‘Did you buy us our sweets, Auntie Queenie?’ asked Lenny.

Every Friday when she got paid, Queenie would pop into the newsagents and bring home a selection of sweets for Lenny and Brenda. Today though, because of meeting Freddie, she’d forgotten all about it. ‘I’m sorry, my loveys. I had to work late today and by the time I got off the shop was shut.’

Lenny put his hands on his hips. ‘Well that ain’t good enough, is it?’

Queenie chuckled and took some coins out of her purse. She handed some to Lenny. ‘There you go. Mummy’ll take you to the shop in the morning and you can pick your own sweets.’

‘What about me?’ squealed Brenda.

‘You can come to the shop with me and choose whatever you want.’

Lenny and Brenda glanced at one another. Both shrugged, which Queenie found hilarious.

Macca handed Vinny another beer.

‘Nah. I’m all right, thanks. I’d better be making a move now.’

‘Drink it. One more won’t hurt you. Anyway, I’ve got a proposition for you. A business one. Good money involved. Very good money.’