Queenie’s stomach was churning. ‘That’s fine, Patrick.’

‘Don’t worry. I’ll look after her,’ smiled Daniel.

‘You better. Or else,’ warned Patrick.

As Patrick’s car pulled away, Daniel took Queenie in his arms. ‘Let me make love to you,’ he whispered. ‘I want you so much.’

‘No. We mustn’t,’ Queenie protested, but her body was telling her otherwise.

When Daniel kissed her again, then led her into the bedroom, Queenie had no protest left in her.

Daniel lit up two cigarettes and handed one to Queenie. They’d made love twice, in quick succession, and it was wonderful. ‘So what happens now?’ he asked.

‘I don’t know, Daniel.’

Daniel propped himself up on his elbow. ‘Divorce Albie and marry me. We’ve wasted far too much time as it is.’

‘I can’t just divorce Albie for no reason. I’ve got the kids to consider, and my lovely home. It’s a new build. I’m not moving out of that and I can’t just chuck Albie out on the bloody streets. He’s the kids’ dad.’

‘He’s not Vinny’s dad though, is he?’

‘I don’t know, Daniel. I doubt we’ll ever know for sure.’

‘We will if Vinny has a blood test. My blood group’s unusual.’

‘I can’t go home and ask Vinny to have a blood test.’

Daniel leaned across to the bedside cabinet and took two photos out of his wallet. One was of himself as a baby, the other was a photo of Vinny that his mum had given him. He pointed to the one on the left. ‘That’s me.’

The resemblance took Queenie’s breath away. They could have been photos of the same baby.

‘Now deny Vinny’s mine.’

‘I’m not denying anything, Daniel. But my head’s all over the place.’

‘Understandable,’ grinned Daniel. ‘You gonna tell him?’

‘Tell who?’

‘Vinny. You gonna tell him I’m his dad?’

‘Goodness no! Then again, he’d probably like that. Vinny is no fan of Albie’s. Never has been.’

‘There you go then.’

‘Don’t rush things, Daniel. Please.’

‘OK, my love, let’s do less talking then …’ He wrapped Queenie in his arms and kissed her passionately. ‘Did you come earlier?’

‘I beg your pardon!’

‘Did you have an orgasm?’

Queenie felt flushed and also embarrassed. ‘I don’t know.’

‘Well, you would if you’d had one.’ Daniel put his cigarette out.

‘Whatever are you doing?’ Queenie asked as Daniel put his head under the sheet.

‘You’ll see,’ Daniel mumbled.

‘Oh no, Daniel. You can’t do that. It’s not normal!’

Queenie soon changed her tune when Daniel’s tongue connected with her clitoris. She thought she’d died and gone to heaven.

Daniel handed Queenie a brandy. ‘You all right?’

Queenie was still in shock. She had never known such sexual positions existed. As for an orgasm, she certainly knew what one of those was now. She’d nearly shot through the roof. ‘Yes. I’m fine. Just thinking,’ Queenie smiled. They were dressed again, and sitting in the pretty back garden.

‘What you thinking about?’

‘Your mum. I had a dream about her last night. She was talking to me.’