Bill Wickham was in the room with his mother and she could see his profile as he bent forward, his hands clasping his knees, and he was naked – at least the bottom half of him was, jeans bunched around his ankles, and was that his willy hanging down?

Hannah had never seen a real-life penis before and her eyes widened, her feet rooted to the spot.

Of course, she wasn’t quite sure if it was Bill’s dangling willy that was shocking her more or the fact Mrs W stood behind her son ferociously smacking his bum with a heavy looking hairbrush. She was barely recognisable, her usually smiling face flushed with rage, calling Bill some of the vilest words Hannah had ever heard. Ones she knew she would never be allowed to repeat.

Instinctively, she knew this was a bad situation, one she was not supposed to see, but her body was refusing to obey her brain’s instruction to leave, and she couldn’t tear her gaze away from the sight in front of her.

Bill was apologising to Mrs W now, begging for her forgiveness.

‘I’m sorry, Mum. I didn’t mean to drop the glass. I’m sorry I let you down. I promise I will try to be more careful.’

Another thwack. This one harder.

Hannah winced as Bill cried out, his eyes squeezed shut.

‘Take your punishment like a man.’ Mrs W snarled the words. ‘You snivelling little bastard.’

‘I’m sorry. Please forgive me.’

‘You’re weak and pathetic, just like your father. Do you think I enjoy doing this, having to beat sense into you?’

‘No, Mum.’

‘Then stop acting like a pathetic little pussy. You’re an embarrassment to me.’

It had been an accident. Just a broken tumbler. Why was Mrs W acting like this?

‘I promise it won’t happen again.’

‘No, it won’t, because next time I’m throwing you out. You’re skating on thin ice, Bill. I’m just about done with you. No sleeping in Mummy’s bed tonight.’

‘No, please. I’ll be good.’

What? Why did Bill sleep in Mrs W’s bed?

Hannah’s throat was dry, her tongue stuck to the roof of her mouth. She needed to go before they realised she was here.

‘I’m doing this for your own good. What woman is going to want a worthless piece of shit like you? Do you think those girls downstairs like you? That they would ever give you a second glance? They know you’re a waste of space. I bet they laugh behind your back. What do you think they would say if they knew you liked to suck on Mummy’s titties and stick your dick in her mouth? Do you think they—’

The loud creak was followed by deathly silence.