In the remote countryside of north-west Essex situated just outside the village of Ashdon, close to Shadwell Wood, Ma opened the pink front door to the mobile home. She grinned at Franny who stood shaking. ‘Where is she?’

‘All in good time; now come on in.’

Franny stepped inside. It was hot, and two fat cats were lying on the sofa. Over in the corner, plates of food and empty boxes of cigarettes were discarded on the floor. ‘It’s a bit of a mess. That’s what I miss most about Bree – she was a good little worker. Lazy at times, but nothing a good hiding wouldn’t solve … Make us a cup of tea whilst you’re there.’

Franny glared at Ma. ‘I’m not here to socialise. I just want to see Mia.’

Ma sniffed, scratching her crotch through her tight, light blue nylon leggings. ‘You’re late.’

‘I know, Ma, and I’m sorry, but there was no way I was ever going to be able to make it here within an hour.’

‘Like I said before, that wasn’t my problem … Have you got the money?’

Franny emptied her bag on the table, tipping out bundles of twenty- and fifty-pound notes.

‘There’s twelve thousand there, and I’ve also brought Alfie’s watch. It’s a solid gold Bvlgari watch, it’s worth about twenty-five grand, so the total’s more than you asked for.’

Sitting down at the small brown, kitchen table, Ma stared at the money and the watch and then up at Franny. ‘It may be more in total, but it’s not what I asked for. I don’t need some poxy watch.’

Franny picked up the watch, pushing it towards Ma. ‘For God’s sake, it’s worth a lot of money. Look at it!’

Ma pushed Franny’s hand away. ‘Like I say, I don’t want a watch. I already know what time it is, which is a good job I do, otherwise I wouldn’t know how late you are … almost double the time I said.’

Trying her best to keep her temper, Franny sat down, scraping back the chair to sit opposite Ma. ‘But I’m here now, that’s all that matters, and what I’ve brought you is just the start. Once the banks open tomorrow, I can bring you the rest of the money in cash, and you can keep the watch as well … What do you say, Ma?’

Ma leant across the table, brushing her body into the discarded plate of cold, greasy bacon.

‘I say, too late.’

Franny’s eyes filled with tears, frustration and anger welling up in her. ‘Ma, please, we’ve established I’m late but like I say, I’m here now.’

Ma stared straight into Franny’s eyes. ‘No, you don’t understand. What I mean is, it’s really too late. Mia’s gone. Like I told you, there were other bidders.’

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