Donna and Dolly sat together drinking hot chocolate and eating toast and Marmite.

‘We haven’t done this for ages, Donna, have we?’

She shook her head and munched on her toast.

‘Why have you taken the house off the market, love? I phoned the estate agent because that other couple was supposed to be here today and they told me about it.’

Donna wiped her mouth with a napkin and said, ‘I’ve decided not to sell, that’s all. Georgio’s not too happy about it, he wanted it all sold, the lot.’ She looked around her at the furniture, carefully picked over the years, and tended with love and care.

‘You’re doing the right thing, love,’ Dolly told her sincerely. ‘Donna I need to ask you something and I want a truthful answer.’

Donna looked at her quizzically.

‘What, Dolly?’

‘I know that Georgio is getting out.’ She held up her hand to stop Donna either denying or confirming what she said. ‘What I want to know is, do you stand by everything he’s done?’

Donna took a deep breath. ‘It would seem that way, wouldn’t it?’

Dolly looked into the face she loved so much it distressed her at times because the owner of that face was a grown woman with a streak of naivety it pained her to see.

Donna put down her piece of toast and looked back at Dolly properly. The two women stared into each other’s eyes for long moments before Donna answered.

‘Let’s just say I accept what he’s done, Dolly. I can’t say I agree with any of it. Why are you asking me all this?’

Dolly looked away, concentrating on the table as if it held the answer to the world’s problems, then she began to speak.

‘A while ago I found some things that I guessed could have caused serious trouble, Donna. It was just after Georgio was arrested. I put them away, I don’t know why. I just knew they could cause bother and I didn’t want that. Not for me, you, or Georgio. Especially not for Georgio. You know how I’ve always loved him like my own son? I love the both of you.

‘But something has been puzzling me, and I think I had better tell you everything now. I know how much we have grown apart and I take the blame for it. You see, Donna, I trusted Paddy with all this. He was working for Georgio, you see? Can you understand! I thought it was all for the best . . .’

Donna looked at the woman’s bent grey head.

‘Dolly,’ she said gently, but perplexed and anxious now, ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about love. Tell me what this is all about.’