‘I’ll get you a sherry instead then.’

‘No. Sit down. Not gonna waste the gin. We’ll have a sherry next. What you got with your orange juice?’

‘Nothing. I’ve got a date tonight, so will probably have a couple of drinks then.’

Queenie’s heart sank. She’d only managed to save just over three hundred quid so far, to pay Patrick O’Leary back. She couldn’t be borrowing any more if this tart turned out to be a nightmare as well.

Viv returned to the table. ‘That’s better.’

‘Vinny’s got a date tonight, Viv.’

‘Oh, that’s good. Who with? Do we know of her?’

‘You sure do. She lives in the same road as us. Bonnie Tarbuck,’ Vinny smirked.

Queenie was dismayed. ‘Oh no, not the Tarbuck girl. You don’t wanna be taking the likes of her out, Vinny. She’s got an awful reputation among the neighbours for being easy. She’s older than you as well. Have you learned nothing from that Yvonne turnout?’

‘Actually, I have, Mum. That’s why I asked Bonnie out,’ grinned Vinny. ‘I’ve heard through the grapevine she’s a bit of a goer an’ all, so rather than waste me time with another Yvonne type, I thought I might as well get something in return.’ Vinny had been that furious when he’d found out that Yvonne had run off with Trevor Thomas, he’d clumped a couple of Trevor’s pals to try and find out where they were. At the time, he’d wanted to hunt them down and drag Yvonne back home, but since finding out she wasn’t the vestal virgin she’d pretended to be, he was glad to be rid of the slag.

‘If you’re gonna, you know, make sure you use protection, boy,’ Viv wisely advised.

‘Yeah, course I will.’

‘Don’t be spending your bleedin’ wages on her either, taking her up the Lane, buying her gold, clothes and kittens. I’m still stuck with that bastard cat you bought for the last one, chasing all me birds away.’

‘I can assure you, I won’t be buying no more scrubbers any presents, Mum. Just a few drinks to loosen ’em up a bit. Then when I’m bored, I’ll dump ’em.’

Queenie felt relieved. ‘Good boy. I’m glad you’ve learned your lesson.’

Queenie and Viv weren’t regular drinkers. With kids to care for, dinners to cook and homes to keep spotless, they were always far too busy to get sloshed. However, today the sherry was going down rather nicely and they were currently on their fourth drink.

‘Can you believe that bastard ain’t been home or even rung me?’ Viv raged. ‘I bet he stayed at that slapper’s last night.’

‘You’re well rid, Auntie Viv. Wait until I see him. He’ll get a dig all right. When you gonna show me what you bought today then, ladies,’ Vinny asked, thinking a change of subject was needed.

Queenie delved inside her shopping bags. ‘I bought these pretty summer dresses for Brenda, but you know what a tomboy she’s becoming. I bet she won’t bloody want to wear ’em. I got meself these flat shoes for work. They’re not nice to look at, but they’re ever so comfy. Oh, and I got your father a couple of shirts. Gone all grey round the collar, the white ones he’s got. Now I’ve got me posh house, he ain’t showing me up, Vinny.’