His face darkened. ‘Do you mean you can’t – or you won’t!’ he asked, and he put Cissie in mind of a spoiled child. Suddenly, she understood that George was right. This had gone quite far enough.

‘I mean I can’t,’ she answered levelly. ‘I told George about the money I had already lent to you and he wasn’t too pleased, so he’s moved it and I have no idea where he’s put it.’ Then as guilt swamped her again, ‘But I could let you have the few shillings I have in my purse …’

‘A few shillings! That’s no good to me. I need some real money,’ he snarled, then to her shock he caught her arm and swung her about. ‘I find it hard to believe your husband would hide your own money from you. Are you sure you’re telling me the truth?’

Her anger suddenly rose to match his then as all the dreams she had harboured about him slipped away.

‘I am, as it happens, but even if I did know where it was I wouldn’t give you any more,’ she stormed back. ‘Do you realise that you haven’t even asked me how I am – if I’ve had a good day; if everything is all right! And why haven’t you? Because you don’t really give a damn about me, that’s why. I’m just the mug that’s been handing you money left right and centre. Well, it stops now. If you want to build a mother-son relationship with me, I’ll welcome you with open arms. But if you only want me as a means of getting money, then I’m sorry I ever came looking for you!’

She watched his lip curl and was transported back in time. He was so like his father, she wondered if there was any of herself in him at all. But then she decided that she should give it one last try and she reached out to him. ‘Hugh, you’re young and healthy. Surely you could get a job somewhere, and if you’ve nowhere to live you could always come to me. I would never see you out on the street.’

‘Live with you?’ he ground out mockingly. ‘A common whore? No, thank you very much. I’d rather sleep in the gutter.’

She recoiled as if he had slapped her and as he turned to leave she took hold of his sleeve in desperation, to stay him, begging, ‘Please don’t go like this!’

The next thing she knew, a fist was flying towards her and when it caught her squarely on the chin, the blow lifted her momentarily off her feet. And then as she flew backwards, she fell awkwardly and heard a loud snap before pain sliced up her arm. Her forehead connected with a large rock hidden in the grass, and instantly she felt something wet and sticky running down her cheek. ‘Hugh … help me,’ she implored weakly. She could vaguely see the outline of him leaning over her, but now darkness was rushing towards her and as she sank into it she knew no more.