‘Of course, my dear. They can afford it.’ She gave a quiet laugh.

Jenny headed for home, chuckling to herself. She crossed the road and was almost in her street when she became aware of men walking on each side of her, and much too closely. They were burly, rough-looking men, and she felt uncomfortable. She stopped. ‘Can I help you?’

One gave a harsh laugh as they both grabbed hold of her arms, lifting her off her feet. Thoroughly alarmed now, Jenny lashed out with her feet, kicking wildly to make them put her down so she could get away. ‘Let me go!’ she shouted.

‘You’re coming with us,’ one of them growled, his voice deep and menacing.

With her feet still not touching the ground, she kicked for all she was worth, catching one of them a good crack on the shin. He grunted and used his free hand to give her a hard slap across the face. Her struggles became frantic now, and she bellowed at the top of her voice. ‘Help me! Help!’ But the street was quite empty, as most people were at the centre.

‘Shut up or we’ll hurt you bad. That bloke don’t care what state you’re in, just so long as he gets you.’

It was the same man who spoke; the other one remained silent and seemed to be enjoying himself. Jenny was terrified and intent on doing as much damage as she could. When they released their grip on her slightly and her feet touched the ground, she managed to pull them for a few yards back to the top of Forest Road, where she felt sure someone would help her. There must be someone around. She was just about to shout again when a car screeched to a halt beside them and Matthew leapt out. He began to throw punches at the two men, but two to one were not good odds, and he was soon receiving the worst of the punishment.

The man who had spoken still held her arm in a cruel grip and was hitting out at Matthew with his other hand. The silent man now had a knife in his hand, and an evil look on his face.

‘No!’ Jenny screamed. ‘Run, Matthew, run!’

What happened next was a blur to her. The man was stabbing at Matthew, people were running up the street, there was shouting and screaming – or was that her? The grip on her arm was suddenly relaxed, and she fell to the pavement with a bruising crash. She dragged herself away from them and stood up, using the wall of a house for support, sobbing in terror.

‘Get the coppers, Jimmy,’ someone shouted. ‘We’ve got them now.’

Apart from some cursing, the fight was over.

‘Are you all right, Jen?’