the cop shop. Christ! Your sisters are good as gold, ain’t they, but you . . .’ He shook his head in exasperation. ‘Ah, it was your dopey mum’s fault. I told her. And now it’s too fucking late.’

‘Dad, I’m . . . look, I didn’t . . .’

Dora couldn’t get the words out. She was sorry now. Really sorry that she had ever had her head turned by charming, good-looking Dickie Cole. And now she was in big trouble.

Dad stepped up until he was standing right there in front of her. ‘Shut your face,’ he said sharply.

Dora fell silent.

Dad was trembling with rage and disgust as he looked at her. He raised a shaking hand and for a moment Dora thought he was going to knock her across the room. But he paused. Let his hand fall to his side. Then he said:

‘You go upstairs right now, and you pack your bags.’

What was he saying?

‘Dad—’ she started.

‘I said shut up. You get up there and get your things together.’ He glared into her eyes. ‘You just be glad I don’t take my belt to you. It’s what you deserve.’

‘Dad!’ burst out Mum.

His head whipped round. Mum shrank back. ‘And you can shut it, too.’ Then he turned back to Dora. His mouth worked in an effort to suppress his fury. ‘You get up them stairs and get packed, and get out. You got that? You’re no daughter of mine. Not any more. You’re dead to me.’

16

Dora went upstairs, hearing the quarrel burst out again down below in the kitchen. Dad was shouting. Mum was crying even louder than the fucking baby. She went into the room she shared with June, got her case down off the wardrobe and bit back a sob as she started to pack a few things into it. Her hands faltered as they fell on Dickie’s gifts to her. What use were they to her now?

Christ! Dad meant it. He really did. And where the hell could she go? She didn’t have a clue.

She heard someone come up the stairs, heard them moving

in the front bedroom. Presently, while she was numbly putting things in the case, Lil came and stood in the doorway, holding the baby, still grizzling, in her arms.

‘You’re such a bloody fool,’ she said. ‘What were you doing, mixing with that sort?’

Dora felt her rebellious streak kick in. ‘At least they’re alive,’ she spat back. ‘Not like that no-mark you’re married to.’

Lil looked at her sister and shook her head. ‘Alec’s a decent man,’ she said. ‘Granted, he ain’t ever going to set the world alight, but then I never wanted that. Dora, those people are dangerous.’

‘Well, it don’t matter now,’ Dora sniffed, trying not to cry. ‘Dickie’s under arrest.’

‘So where will you go?’ asked Lil, bouncing the baby, making cooing noises to it.

‘Christ knows,’ said Dora.

‘Look.’

Dora looked at her sister. Lil had two pound notes in her hand.