What she had really craved was security, to be taken care of, and to be part of a real family – one which looked out for its own and where you were always surrounded by people. When she had met Daniel Bailey it was as if Christ Himself had climbed down off the cross and answered her prayers. Daniel had swept her off her feet at fifteen years old, and she had loved him since that day, loved him with a passion that no one would ever have believed her capable of. Daniel adored her just as much and, when their kids came along, Lena felt that all her dreams had come true – she had the family life she had always craved. The only dark spot for Lena, if she was truly honest with herself, was the lack of stability. She never asked too many questions about her husband’s lifestyle and where the money came from. She wasn’t naïve enough to think it was all legit but she adhered to the principle of what you don’t know can’t hurt you. That didn’t mean she wasn’t afraid it would disappear one day. She was determined, therefore, that if it fell out of bed, she would have enough put by to weather any storm. Ria never thought their lifestyles would end, but Lena was terrified in case that did happen one day. She hated seeming as though she didn’t trust her husband, but she never voiced her fears – she just squirreled away, and prayed for the best.

Chapter Eight