‘I know Frankie’s got a boyfriend and I want to know why she’s being so secretive about him.’

Joey didn’t know what to say. He couldn’t drop Frankie in it, so made up the first excuse he could think of. ‘Frankie gets embarrassed, Mum. All she’s told me is his name. She’s never had a proper boyfriend before, so I think it’s all new to her. His name’s John, apparently, and I’m sure in time she’ll bring him home so we can all meet him.’

Jessica pushed Joey’s hair off his forehead. He was such a sensitive boy and had a gift for putting her mind at rest. ‘Where you off to today?’ she asked him.

‘I’m going shopping in Romford. Its Dom’s birthday next weekend and he’s taking me to a posh restaurant to celebrate. He bought me a lovely bracelet for my birthday, Mum. I’ve hidden it upstairs, but I’ll show you it later,’ Joey whispered.

Jessica smiled. Her son was in love and, in her own way, she was pleased for him. She would rather Joey be in love with a girl, but he was sixteen now and old enough to make his own choices in life. ‘I wish you every happiness, Joey, I really do,’ Jessica whispered back.

Aware of Eddie’s footsteps approaching, Jessica told Joey to sit down and eat his banana.

‘I’m going out now. Got a lot of work on today, so I dunno what time I’ll be home,’ Eddie growled.

Not able to be in the same room as his son, Eddie turned on his heel without waiting for an answer. The quicker he got out of the house, the less physically sick he would feel.

* * *

Frankie woke up feeling like nothing on earth. She was meant to be going over to Kent with Jed to drop off a horse that he’d sold, but she felt too ill to do so. She rang him up to explain. ‘I’m so sorry, Jed. I’ve been as sick as a pig. Do you feel OK? I think that Chinese we ate last night was a bit dodgy.’

Jed laughed. ‘You see me, Frankie – never had a day’s illness in me life. I ain’t even on no doctor’s books. I’ve told you before, you don’t eat enough meat. Meat makes you strong, makes you healthy, it does. Fit as a fiddle, I am.’

‘How long will you be in Kent for? Can I see you when you get back?’ Frankie asked, changing the subject. Talking about meat was making her feel worse than ever.

‘Well, if you ain’t coming, I might have to take me other bird with me, so I might not be back till tomorrow,’ Jed goaded her.

Knowing he was only winding her up, Frankie managed a smile. ‘Don’t muck about, you tosser.’