Donna’s voice shocked even herself as she bellowed: ‘This child is dying, you stupid bitch. He’s crushed her fucking windpipe! Jesus Christ, will you get her to a fucking hospital!’

Donna could feel hysteria rising up inside her like a dam. She had opened her mouth to scream once more when Candy punched her in the face. The next thing she knew, she was careering across the room, an explosion of lights in her eyes and a black haze of pain running through her cheekbone.

Candy stood over her, and the menace in her face and voice were not lost on Donna or Kassim.

‘Don’t you dare tell me what to do, lady. You come sneaking in here, causing hag with me and Stephen. Then you tell me what’s best for my girls. Well, the buck stops here. Kassim, take her to one of the rooms and lock her inside until Mr Stephen gets here. I don’t want to hear one word out of her, OK? And put Asheem outside the window in case she decides to try and escape that way. Mr Stephen wants her later, you understand! She goes nowhere.’

Kassim nodded, and helping Donna to her feet, he half-dragged, half-carried her from the room.

Donna’s face was on fire with pain and her mind was screaming with fear: fear for the child and fear for herself. Whatever she had walked into, it was far more serious than she had anticipated. She knew that her life was in danger, and the knowledge gave her fear a physical quality that overshadowed the pain in her face.

She knew that Stephen hated her, and now she had found out what was really going on, seen it with her own eyes, the thought of confronting him frightened her more than anything.

Big Paddy and Davey Jackson were both drinking tea in Donna’s kitchen, Dolly chatting away with her usual cheerfulness.

‘I told you the other night, I have no idea where Donna’s gone. I think it was Marbella, but I’m not sure. The girl needed to get away for a bit. Would you two like a slice of cake with your tea? I only made it yesterday, it’s lovely and moist.’

The two men shook their heads.

Paddy sighed. ‘Listen to me, Dolly love. Donna could be in a lot of trouble and we need to help her, so why don’t you just tell us where she’s gone?’

His voice was heavy with innuendo and Dolly feigned ignorance.

‘I just told you, I don’t know. Don’t be an arsehole, Paddy. What kind of danger could that girl be in anyway?’

She decided to turn the questioning around.