Donna smiled at the simplicity of the words, and at the truth in them. This young girl, with a life harder than she could even imagine, had more knowledge of men than she did. Whether it came with the bearing of children she didn’t know. Maybe, like a lioness, you lived your life for children with only their protection in mind. You took second place. Or maybe it was because Donna had been sheltered too much. She had met Georgio six months after her parents had died in that multiple car crash. He had come and taken her life over.

Her only other living relative was Hamish, her brother, twelve years older and with his own life in Liverpool. Austere Hamish, the graduate, the respectable man whose children were like characters from an old 1940s film. They called him and Annabel Mother and Father, not Mum and Dad. They were grown now, both leading exemplary lives, never having once roared with laughter naturally, or played anything more rowdy than Monopoly.

‘Can I get you another coffee?’ The waitress’s voice broke into Donna’s thoughts.

‘Would you like another coffee, Caroline?’

‘I’ll have one if you’re having one.’

Donna nodded at the young waitress, marvelling at how easy she felt inside herself.

‘Penny for your thoughts? I was worried we’d lost you there, Donna. I was gonna put a sign on you saying, “Normal service will be resumed as soon as possible”.’

Donna threw back her head and laughed out loud. ‘You’re funny, Caroline, do you know that? You’re also like a dose of medicine. I’m so glad I met you today, I really am.’

Caroline smiled, her face half-sad. ‘I’m glad I met you too, and thanks for treating the kids and that.’

‘Can I have some ice cream, please?’

Donna smiled at the little boy and said, ‘Today, Michael Joseph, you can have anything you want!’

He clapped his chubby hands with glee.

Georgio lay in his cell worrying. His eyes strayed to the photos of Donna on the wall by his bunk. He couldn’t believe that she had walked out on him; never in all their lives together had she done a thing like that. It was a shock to realise just how much he really needed her. Especially now, when she had the house and the businesses in her name. Everything he had worked for and built up was in her name. The house was worth a small fortune and he wanted it. It had never occurred to him that she would be rebellious; she had always done exactly what he wanted. But he had never been banged up before doing eighteen years . . .