The journey seemed to last for ever, with Queenie sitting rigid in the passenger seat, sensing his eyes on her. She knew she would never be able to tell the Briggs about this, or even Vivvy – it was far too disgusting to tell anybody. Besides, Ivan was right: it was her word against his, and Betty and John were bound to believe him over her, given that he’d worked for them so long. Betty obviously thought the world of Ivan. She fed him every day and talked about him as if he were part of the family.

As Queenie went to open the truck door and run to the safety of the farmhouse, Ivan grabbed her arm. ‘No. I will open the door for you and I will bring your shopping to the front door. You won’t say anything, will you?’

The engine was still running, so Queenie knew she had to say the right thing. If she didn’t, she was petrified he might drive off with her. ‘I won’t say anything, I promise.’

Ivan smiled and stroked Queenie’s cheek. ‘Good. Our little secret. You’re very beautiful, Miss Queenie. I will always love you, you know.’

Somehow, Queenie managed to force a smile. ‘Will you get my shopping out for me, please?’

‘Of course. Miss Queenie’s wish is my command,’ grinned Ivan. ‘Hopefully, I see you tomorrow, yeah?’

‘Yeah,’ Queenie mumbled, before bolting to the Briggs’ front door.

‘Hello, Queenie. You all right? You look ever so pale,’ said Betty. ‘And you’re shaking – look at your hands.’

‘I’m not well. Got my thingy again and those awful pains in my stomach. Ivan’s bringing my shopping in. I must go straight to bed. The pain is far worse than last time. That’s why I’m shaking.’

‘Oh dearie me. Poor you. I’ll bring you up some painkillers and a cup of tea in a minute.’

Hearing Ivan’s thick country accent greeting Betty behind her, Queenie flew up the stairs as fast as her legs would carry her. She never wanted to lay eyes on that monstrous pervert ever again. She needed to get away from here and back to the East End where she’d be safe.

CHAPTER FOUR

‘Queenie, please, tell me what’s wrong,’ pleaded Viv. ‘I know something is. You’ve not been right since you went to the shops with Ivan. Did something happen while you were out with him?’

‘No. Don’t be stupid,’ spat Queenie. ‘I’ve told you fifty bloody times what’s wrong. I still got bad stomach pains and I’ve caught your mumps.’

‘But your face isn’t swollen like mine was, and you said you’d already had mumps and couldn’t catch them again,’ said Viv, clearly unconvinced. Apart from using the bathroom, Queenie had not left the bedroom for four whole days now, not even to eat. Viv knew Betty was worried about her too. ‘Why don’t you let Betty call the doctor in like she offered to? You might need some proper medicine, Queenie.’

‘I don’t need a doctor, OK? Please just stop going on at me, Viv. Go and have your breakfast and when Betty asks you, tell her I’ve started to feel a bit better, but I’m still tired. Got that?’