‘Georgina is in her classroom. She’s fine, and of course the gates are locked. We take every precaution possible to ensure the safety of our children. Georgina is the first child who has ever managed to climb over the railings. Mrs Morris, who was on playground duty, informed me and we immediately sent out a search party. We finally found Georgina walking along the main road. I know she has had problems in the past, but Georgina doesn’t seem to be settling in very well here. She really doesn’t seem happy and that worries me greatly. I don’t want to worry you, Mrs O’Hara, but anyone could have snatched her along that main road today. There are some very dangerous people out there, as I am sure you are only too aware of. Georgina is a very bright girl for her age. She is behind the other children with her reading and writing, but other than that, she is years ahead of them in her speech and her ways. I propose we send her to a special unit where the classrooms are smaller and she can get one-to-one tuition. They can help her overcome her emotional difficulties, and then you can find a more suitable school for her. I really do think this would benefit Georgina in the long run.’

Alice was furious. In her eyes, a special unit was for either difficult or backward kids, and there was no way her precious Georgie was going to one of those. ‘No granddaughter of mine is going anywhere with a load of loonies and divs. Where is she now?’ Alice screeched.

The headmaster was horrified by Alice’s shouting. ‘As I said earlier, Georgina’s back in her classroom. I really think you should think about what I …’

Alice stopped him mid-sentence. She jumped off her seat and pointed her chubby finger into his face. ‘Now, you listen to me, you ugly, four-eyed old shitcunt. I am taking my granddaughter out of this crappy school this very minute and I shall find her somewhere decent to attend. And while I’m at it, I might report you to the gavvers for putting her poor little life in danger.’

‘Is there really any need to use such language?’ the headmaster asked, shell-shocked by Alice’s use of appalling vocabulary.

Alice opened the door and glared at him. ‘Go fuck your grandmother.’

After agreeing to help Babs, Frankie and Eddie enjoyed a pleasant visit. Gina wasn’t mentioned by either of them; instead they discussed the rest of the family in detail.