Franny gave a lopsided smile. ‘It all depends on who you kill.’

Alfie frowned. ‘Well have you? Have you killed someone? I mean that’s part of the game we’re in. Look, whatever it is, I reckon you’ll feel better when you tell me, because it’s clear that it’s eating you up inside.’

Full of sincerity, Franny nodded. ‘I think you’re right. I can’t go on like this, Alf. But before I tell you, you have to understand it all started off with good intentions, but it just got out of hand, and the more I tried to stop the snowball from rolling, the bigger it got. Does that make sense?’

Alfie, agreeing, said, ‘Of course. What’s that saying … The road to hell is paved with good intentions.’

A flicker of alarm crossed Franny’s face. ‘Don’t say that.’

‘I was only joking.’

‘Well don’t. Just don’t.’

Alfie nodded. His voice was warm and loving as he said, ‘Okay, I won’t … So go on then, tell me.’

Taking a deep breath, Franny began to talk. ‘It really all started when Br …’ She stopped and closed her eyes, then trying again, she said, ‘When Br …’

‘Sorry, darlin’, I’m so sorry but I have to take this.’ Alfie glanced at his phone, which was vibrating; a call coming in. ‘I wouldn’t take it if it wasn’t urgent, but it’s about sorting out some money for the auction.’ He paused and looked at Franny, his eyes pleading with her to let him take it.

‘Yes, of course, you have to take it.’

‘Sorry. Just hold on to what you were saying, okay? I want to hear it.’

Alfie answered the phone, keeping his eyes on Franny as he listened to the caller talk, but he mouthed the word, sorry, to her before he spoke into the phone.

‘So what time should I be there, mate? And are you sure it can get sorted … good … yeah … okay, I’ll see you then.’

Clicking off the phone, Alfie turned back to Franny. ‘I think I might be able to sort a bit of money for the auction. I need to go and see them in a little while, but I’ve still got time to listen to what you were saying.’

Franny blinked and stared at Alfie. What had she been thinking? What the hell had she just been about to do? Jesus. The idea she had been seconds away from telling Alfie about Bree, about his daughter, Mia, was unthinkable. This was exactly what her father had warned her about: emotions. She had let her emotions get the better of her. She had nearly ruined everything because she had allowed her emotions to dictate her sense. And telling Alfie about Mia would’ve been the biggest mistake of her life … or rather the end of it.