‘You didn’t kiss him on the lips, did you? You don’t know where his tongue’s been,’ Joey whispered in Frankie’s ear.

Frankie punched Joey and laughed.

Eddie finished his breakfast and put the plate in the dishwasher. ‘I’m off now, babe,’ he said to Jess.

‘See you later, kids. I’m back early tonight. Shall we all go out for a Chinese or shall I order a takeaway?’

Frankie nudged Joey. They’d already decided not to attend school today and they didn’t want to drink vodka all afternoon, then have to sit in a restaurant with their parents. ‘We’ve got tons of homework, Dad. Me and Frankie would prefer a takeaway,’ Joey replied.

Eddie put on his jacket. ‘I’ll see you all later, then. Pick what you want off the menu and I’ll order it as soon as I get home,’ he said.

Jessica fed the twins, tidied up the kitchen, then went upstairs to get changed. Usually, she drove the children to school in a tracksuit or jeans, but she couldn’t do that today. How could she expect the headmaster to take her seriously if she looked like a tramp?

‘What you all done up for?’ Frankie asked, as she came down the stairs.

Feeling flustered, Jessica searched for her handbag. ‘I’m going Christmas shopping after I’ve dropped yous two off,’ she lied.

* * *

Due to heavy traffic, the journey to the school took about twenty minutes.

‘Bye, Mum,’ the twins said, as they slammed the car door.

Jessica waved and drove away. She’d already hatched her plan. She would park a couple of streets away, then drive back once they were inside their classroom.

Half an hour later, Jessica made her way into the school gates. She had been to the headmaster’s office a couple of years ago, when Joey had been taken ill and, as luck would have it, she remembered where it was.

‘Can I help you?’ asked a stuffy-looking woman sitting at a typewriter.

‘I’d like to speak to the headmaster about my children,’ Jessica stated.

‘And who shall I say wants to speak to him?’

‘Mrs Mitchell. I’m Francesca and Joseph’s mother.’

The woman smirked. ‘Take a seat. I’ll let Mr Redknapp know that you’re waiting.’

Jessica sat nervously tapping her fingers. She wasn’t very good at confrontation and she was beginning to wish that she hadn’t come alone. Eddie was much more businesslike than she was, he would have known exactly what to say.

‘Mr Redknapp’s ready for you to go in now,’ the woman told her.

As Jessica walked in, the headmaster smiled. ‘Please sit down, Mrs Mitchell,’ he said.

‘I’ve come to see you because I’m very worried about Joseph and Francesca,’ Jessica rambled.