‘Sit down, Davey, you make me nervous looming over us like that. I tell you something, Donna, me and you have never seen eye to eye, but if ever you need a shoulder, girl, well, mine’s always there for the taking.’

Donna was inordinately grateful. Over the last nine months she had been gradually dropped by most of her friends. Bunty and Harry Robertson had looked right through her only a week previously when she had met them in the village. She had said hello and they had ignored her, leaving her deep red with embarrassment and hurt. Over the years they had both courted Georgio’s friendship. Now they wanted nothing to do with him or anyone connected to him. Even Donna’s neighbours had stopped waving if they drove past and she was on her driveway.

‘Thanks, Carol, I appreciate it.’ The truth of the statement came over in her voice and Carol smiled.

‘You find out who your mates are at times like this, girl. I remember when me brother got a big one. Twelve years. Mind you, he had done the robbery - got caught red-handed with the guns and the money. But all that aside, his wife really took some stick. Mind you, for saying that, she was batting away from home within six months. Takes some of the wives like that. Lonely, see. You keep your mind occupied and your legs crossed, girl. The filth will come out of the woodwork now. A few of Georgio’s mates would have liked a crack at you. Now he’s banged up they’ll think the field is clear. So be careful when men start offering you a bit of help. When is the appeal? I take it he is appealing?’

‘Oh, yes. As soon as we get a date I’ll let you know. Can I offer you some refreshment?’

Carol Jackson laughed her loud, cackling laugh. ‘ “Can I offer you some refreshment”! You’re a riot, Donna, if you only knew it. I’ll have a cup of Rosie. I’ll just pop in and see old Dolly for a bit. Leave you and Davey to sort out your business.’

Donna watched her plump frame, encased in skintight leather, wobble from the conservatory on impossibly high heels. Her long bleached-blonde hair, screaming with split ends, was backcombed into a mass of knots visible from behind.

Davey finally spoke. ‘She ain’t a bad girl really, my Carol. You’ve just got to know how to take her. She’s a good wife and an excellent mother.’

Donna nodded. ‘I realised that a long time ago. You don’t have to defend her to me, Davey. In fact, she’s one of the few people who actually seem concerned about me and Georgio.’