‘It’s no good looking like that, Georgie boy. Until I get me housekeeping we ain’t got nothing to eat. I thought we’d have chippy tonight, to celebrate like.’

George took off his jacket and hung it on the back of the door on the hanger there for that express purpose. Nancy hated sloppiness.

‘Well?’ It was more a statement than a question.

George slipped his hand into his pocket and took out the wage packet. It was unopened. Nancy grabbed it greedily from his hand and ripped it open. She poured the coins out into her large red-varnished hand.

‘Is this all?’ Her green eyes narrowed as she looked at him. ‘Thirty bob?’

George nodded again. ‘I need new shoes.’

Nancy laughed. ‘Don’t we all?’ She threw two half-crowns on the table. ‘That’s your cut, Georgie boy. Twenty-five shillings is for your housekeeping.’

She saw his face and went on the defensive. ‘Listen here, you, I kept you all your life, it’s about time you paid some of it back.’

As she spoke Jed McAnulty came into the kitchen. He had obviously been asleep. He looked at the money on the table and his face lit up. Nancy saw and turned on him. ‘You needn’t think you’re getting any of this, ’cos you’re not.’

George sighed and hastily picked up the two half-crowns. He couldn’t have the shoes and bus it to work. He’d have to save up. His newfound freedom dissolved around his ears while Nancy and her boyfriend fought. George walked into the front room and sat on the settee. A little while later he heard the back door slam and his mother’s high heels on the concrete pathway. Jed walked into the front room.

‘She’s gone to get the chips.’ Jed sat on the chair by the fire and ran his plastic comb through his hair. ‘I don’t know why you don’t get yourself a little place, Georgie. Don’t give that old bat your dosh.’

He was silent, staring into the fire.

‘Listen to me, son, she gets a fortune doing what she does. She don’t need your money, she’s taking it for spite. I’ve never known a woman like her in me life.’

George looked at the man calmly.

‘You live off her, Jed. That’s where all her money goes.’

Jed bit his lip and grinned.

‘Me and your mother’s got an arrangement. I supply her with the means to do her job, that’s all. But all that aside, son, she’s got a small fortune stashed, she don’t need your money.’

George knew it was true. Knew that Jed was trying to help him. But as always his loyalty to his mother came to the forefront.

‘All you men - the men she meets - you all take advantage of her.’