‘You’ll never be lonely with those kids of yours, Queen. Your Vinny adores the ground you walk on. I saw him last week and he spent ten minutes singing your praises. Making a right name for himself round ’ere lately, an’ all. Another few years, he’ll be up there with the likes of Ron and Reg.’

About to reply, Queenie saw a familiar figure leap over the doorstep Violet had been scrubbing and lovingly rub against the woman’s legs. ‘Ahh, there you are, boy,’ Violet said, picking the horrid creature up and kissing him on the lips.

Queenie was that stunned, she was temporarily lost for words. It was definitely Vinkle. There weren’t many pure white cats around Whitechapel and she’d recognize those evil blue eyes anywhere.

‘Queenie, meet my boy I named after your son. He was ever so feisty when he first turned up on me doorstep, but I’ve tamed him. Loves a bit of chicken and ham for his dinner. I call him Little Vinny. Ain’t he a cutie?’

Queenie locked eyes with the monster. ‘You taking him to Dagenham with you?’

‘Of course. I asked around, he’s definitely a stray. We’re moving on Friday, aren’t we, Little Vinny?’

‘Brilliant. Well, I wish you well in your new home, Violet. Gotta go now. Me leg’s killing me and I’ll be late for me doctor’s appointment. Love to Daisy too.’

‘Bye, Queenie. It’s been a pleasure knowing you all these years, my darlin’. Keep well. Those boys of yours will look after you, I know they will.’

Queenie hobbled away as fast as she could. She would miss bumping into Violet from time to time, but not that bastard cat. She wanted to forget that thing existed.

The following Saturday, Vinny got up with a spring in his step. He might not be into Bonnie that much, but he couldn’t wait to get some action and he was sure tonight was the night. All week she’d been making the right noises, raving about him and his lovely family. He was also planning to tell her she was his girlfriend tonight, just so he got what he wanted. He might not even dump her straight away, not if she was any good at it. Even his youngest brother Michael had got a wank off the bird who worked in the chicken factory down Petticoat Lane, so Vinny was desperate to be the first lad in his family to get laid.

‘Morning, Mum. How you feeling today, sweetheart?’

‘Better than I was thanks, boy. The pain’s subsided now, thank God. Never felt pain like that in me life before, and I never want to experience it again.’ Queenie had spent the past three days in the London Hospital. The infection in her leg had been that bad, she’d been on a drip and all sorts.

‘I’ve only got to pick up a few bob today, Mum. So you rest up and I’ll sort out breakfast.’

Queenie smiled. She had hated being in hospital away from her boys. ‘Thanks, Vinny. You’re a diamond.’