It was them. The relatives. The sisters who’d shunned Dora.

Angel couldn’t wait for it all to be over. Donny hadn’t even shown up, today of all days. Too busy covering his own arse, keeping a low profile. Not wanting to get involved when in actual fact this was all down to him. It was because of him that Dora had topped herself, and Angel would never forgive him for it. Outside of the flat, he’d never been one to flaunt his mistress. He’d hardly let her see the light of day, really. And now Angel stood there and thought: I’m next.

The awful grudge he’d nurtured through the years against her mother was now going to pass on to Angel. She didn’t see any way to stop the whole thing repeating on an endless loop and trapping her, in the same way that Dora had been trapped. Angel had nothing but what he gave her. Her small earnings were all snatched off her by him, just as Dora’s had been.

‘For housekeeping,’ he said.

She had no independence, no hope. Nothing.

But she wasn’t her mother. She wouldn’t crumble.

She wouldn’t.

Angel thought of his wife standing at her front door saying, ‘Are you one of his women?’

Well, now she was. It sickened her to think of it, but she was.

The service seemed to go on forever. But finally it was over, and they went outside into the blustery sunshine and at last Dora was buried. Angel stood at the graveside, Tom beside her. The other two women stood opposite. When it was done and the vicar strode off back to the vestry and a cup of tea, Tom turned to Angel.

‘Sad day,’ he said.

Angel didn’t reply.

‘What will you do now?’ he asked.

‘What does that mean? I’ll just carry on. Life goes on, don’t they say that. Well it does. I’ll carry on. There’s nothing else I can do, is there.’

The tall dark-haired woman came around the graveside and said: ‘Tom . . . ?’

Tom stepped aside. The woman and Angel stared at each other.

‘I’m Lil,’ said the woman. ‘Tom’s mum. I don’t know if you remember me? I’m very sorry for your loss.’

Angel’s gaze never wavered. ‘What?’

‘I’m—’ started Lil.

‘I heard you. I just couldn’t believe you’d have the front to say it, that’s all.’

‘Well I . . .’ Lil looked taken aback.

Now the scrawny red-haired one pitched in. ‘You’re the by-blow, aintcha?’ She stared at Angel. ‘The illegitimate kid.’

Tom stepped forward, making appeasing gestures with his hands. ‘Now come on, Aunt June. Now’s not the day for all this.’

‘No,’ said Angel. ‘Let her speak. Why not? It’s how she feels. I’m amazed any of you lot had the gall to show up. After all, you didn’t give a stuff about Mum when she was alive. Why the big fuss now she’s dead?’

Aunt June curled her lip. ‘You’re just like her, aintcha? You look like her and you’ve got a vicious tongue on you too. Same as your mother.’