Queenie felt adrenaline pumping through her veins. Obviously she’d have to come up with a plan, but was this the chance to finally get her son away from that manipulative little bitch? It was Yvonne’s eighteen birthday next month and Vinny had already put a deposit on an eternity ring for the prat. If she could get rid of Yvonne before then, it would save her boy a fortune. ‘All Vinny’s said is they had their first argument. He clammed up when I pried.’

‘I know what the row was over. Vinny beat up a lad outside Barry’s dance hall in Mare Street on Saturday night. Beat him up real bad, by all accounts. This is what she does, Yvonne. She flirts with other lads all the time. She got my Trevor into a fight once. I think she must get off on it, having two lads fight over her. Apparently though, Vinny scared the living daylights out of her on Saturday. He grabbed her around the neck and threatened her an’ all.’

‘Good. Serves her bleedin’ right. Do you think she’s trying to get back with your Trevor?’

Jeanie shrugged. ‘I pray she ain’t, but I know Trevor would take her back in a heartbeat. I was wondering, should we arrange a meet-up with us two and the boys? Surely if we explain she’s playing ’em both, they might see sense.’

‘I don’t think that’s a good idea, Jeanie. My Vinny’s so fiery of late, unpredictable. He started a fight with his brothers the other evening, so I dread to think what he might do to Trevor.’

‘Yeah, you’re right. Vinny’s so tall an’ all. My poor boy wouldn’t stand a bleedin’ chance. What do you suggest we do then?’

A plan already forming in her mind, Queenie picked up her shopping bags. ‘Leave it with me and I’ll have a think about it.’

‘Don’t tell Vinny that Yvonne’s seen Trevor, though, will ya? I think he’s seeing her again tonight.’

‘Do you know where they go?’

‘Out the area. A pub in Barking somewhere.’

‘OK. Thanks for the update, Jeanie. I’ll pop back and see you soon, lovely.’

Queenie knew Yvonne worked in a salon not far from Bethnal Green tube station, so the following day she took a slow stroll up there. She shuddered as she laid eyes on the station itself. Poor Aunt Edna. Queenie still had nightmares about that horrendous night. The horror of what she’d seen would never truly leave her.

‘Queenie!’ Yvonne was shocked to see her boyfriend’s mum walk in. ‘Do you want to have your hair done?’ she asked awkwardly.

‘No. I think me and you need to have a little chat, love. What time’s your lunch break?’

‘Erm, not until one.’

‘You can take it now if you want, Yvonne. We’re quite busy this afternoon, so make sure you’re back by half one,’ said a dark-haired smart lady who Queenie presumed was the manager.

‘Where do you normally go for lunch?’ asked Queenie, once outside the shop. She could tell Yvonne was on edge.