‘Jago!’ she called.

‘I’m due at the yard.’

‘Don’t leave. Come back and talk.’ But he was already opening the backdoor. ‘Jago—’

‘I said I’m due at the yard!’

Then the door slammed.

‘Bloody hell,’ she said under her breath, as the sound of his motorbike cut through the house. She ran out the back to the gate which led out on to the rear access whilst screaming his name. But he didn’t stop and she helplessly watched him accelerating away from her.

Angie walked back inside. Her legs trembled and tears stung her eyes.

‘You okay, love?’ she said as she walked back into the kitchen.

Tamsyn pursed her lips and nodded. She still looked so ill, skin ashen, bruised smudges beneath her eyes, lank hair in need of a wash.

‘I’m sorry you feel I’ve not been there for you. I am though. Really.’

Tamsyn flinched when Angie tried to touch her. Crossed her arms tighter. Drew away.

‘I know this stuff with the Davenports is hard, but remember, I believe you. I know you and Max aren’t… Well, you know.’

And then Tamsyn began to sob. Her body shuddered uncontrollably. Angie reached for her but, as she did, Tamsyn pulled away as if she’d been electrocuted, then tore out of the kitchen and up to her room.

Angie wanted to kill Eleanor Davenport. How could she do that to a child? She stood in the silence of the kitchen and listened to the echo of both her children’s hurt and confusion. Then, she felt herself harden. Screw her. Angie was glad her hoity-toity daughter had fallen for her beautiful boy. How dare the stupid cow say he wasn’t good enough? He was a hundred times better than any of their morally bankrupt family. Angie hoped Eleanor did find out the two of them were together. She hoped the woman choked on it. She was a silly bitch who treated them all like dirt.

Enough was enough.

Angie marched into the hall and grabbed her bag from the hook. Then she walked to the phone box and dialled the chip shop.

‘It’s me,’ she said, when Gareth answered. ‘Any chance you could drive me up to the Davenports’ place?’

She waited for him on the corner and twenty-five minutes later they were pulling up in front of The Cliff House.

‘Wait in the car,’ she told him. ‘This won’t take long.’

Her nerves jangled like crazy as she raised her hand to ring the doorbell.

The door opened. As soon as Eleanor saw her she folded her arms and looked down the length of her nose at her.

Angie held out the key. ‘I came to give you this back.’

Eleanor reached out to take it, but Angie closed her fist.

‘And you owe me three weeks’ wages plus the overtime.’