‘We’ll have to bring your mattress down ’ere, love. We’ll manage. I suppose we should think ourselves lucky to have a bloody roof over our heads. Many families round ’ere haven’t, have they?’

Viv was distraught. ‘But what about our clothes and things? Where will we put those?’

‘We’ll find somewhere to put them,’ replied Molly. ‘Let’s just be grateful Hitler has stopped bombing us. Well, for now, at least.’

Queenie was furious. ‘But why are we losing the upstairs of our house? I take it it’s because we’re way behind with the rent?’

‘Well, yes,’ admitted Molly. ‘But nobody is to blame for that, Queenie. Who could have predicted the war and your father being shot?’

‘No one. But seeing as Dad is working at the docks and you’re also working, how come we can’t afford to pay the rent?’

Molly looked sheepish. ‘Your dad could no longer work at the docks because of his leg. I didn’t tell you ’cause I didn’t want to worry ya. He is working though. He’s helping a friend out, but the money isn’t great.’

‘Well, it can’t be that bad,’ yelled Queenie. ‘He seems to be earning enough to roll home pissed out of his head every night, don’t he?’

Tears streamed down Viv’s face. She loved sharing a bedroom with her sister. It was bad enough listening to her parents’ arguments and baby-making as it was; now she and Queenie would have to sleep in the same room as them.

‘Look, I know this isn’t ideal. But you mustn’t blame your father. He’s going through a tough time. He saw some terrible things while he was away, has awful nightmares. He isn’t coping with his injury either. He’s in a lot of pain with his leg and says the alcohol helps him cope with it. We must all stand by him; help him through this difficult time.’

Queenie could barely believe her ears. She leapt off the sofa and paced up and down. ‘And we had it easy while Dad was away, did we?’ she bellowed. ‘How do you think me and Viv felt, being sent away, then coming home to a long list of friends and neighbours who’d died? As for losing half our home, I blame you as much as him, Mum. Why didn’t you put your foot down and demand Dad hands over the rent money to you? That’s what Mrs O’Leary would’ve done. She would’ve kicked Dad’s arse out and only allowed him back once he’d got himself sorted.’

‘Well, I’m not Mrs O’Leary and you shouldn’t be discussing our bloody business with that woman,’ fumed Molly.

‘Who said I was? Everyone knows what’s really going on, including me and Viv. We’re the ones who have to listen to Dad beat and rape you most nights. No wonder we’re always tired at school, eh? And now you’re expecting us to sleep in the same room as you and him.’

‘Whatever are you going on about, you stupid girl? I’m married to the man. Ya can’t get raped by your own husband. This is her, ain’t it? That nosy cow across the road. She’s the one putting ridiculous ideas in your head. You’re even copying her foul language. Always effing and blinding, she is. Well, I’m not putting up with this any more, young lady. You’ve changed since you came back from Lincolnshire, got far too big for your boots. I forbid you to visit Mrs O’Leary any more. It’s not normal, you spending so much time with a woman who is older than me. You should be out playing with your sister and friends of your own age.’