Eddie held Gina tight and stroked her long, dark hair. He knew she was worried about him and he couldn’t allow that, especially with the baby on the way. He forced a big grin and pulled away from her.

‘Larry said we’ll get a warrant out for the O’Haras’ arrest and we should have the kids back in no time. And don’t you worry about me – I’m Eddie Mitchell, sweetheart.’

Frankie lay on her bed and stared at the ceiling. She’d felt very tearful since Babs had been taken away that morning and she still hadn’t heard any news about her friend.

Shutting her eyes, Jed’s smarmy face popped into Frankie’s mind. To say she hated her ex now was an understatement and she often beat herself up for stupidly getting involved with him in the first place. The only thing that stopped her truly hating herself and blaming herself for her mother’s death was that if she hadn’t fallen pregnant by Jed, then she wouldn’t have her wonderful Georgie and Harry. Also, her unborn baby was one of the only other things, bar Babs, that had kept her going through the long, dark days she’d spent imprisoned.

As she heard the key go in the door, Frankie sat up. ‘Have you got some news on Babs?’ she asked the screw.

‘Yep, she had an emergency C-section and now she’s got a little boy. They’re both fine, apparently.’

‘That’s fantastic news,’ Frankie said, elated.

‘And you have visitors, my dear,’ the screw announced.

‘Who? I’m not expecting anyone today,’ Frankie asked, intrigued. She wondered if it was DI Blyth with some good news for once.

‘I’ve no idea, Frankie. I’m just the messenger,’ the screw replied brightly.

Frankie followed her along the corridors. She was led into the same room she’d spoken to Blyth in, but was shocked to see her father and Larry sitting inside. She knew by the looks on their faces that this was no routine visit and she wondered if they had found out she’d told Blyth that Jed had killed her grandfather. Her heart was pounding with pure fear as she sat down.

‘Would it be possible if we could have some privacy, please? We need to discuss a rather delicate subject,’ Larry told the screw.

Frankie felt griping pains in her stomach as the screw left the room. She felt as if she was desperate to use the toilet, but was too nervous to ask. She stared at her dad. He knew, she was positive he knew. ‘What’s going on?’ she asked anxiously.

Eddie nudged Larry. He was no good at explaining stuff like this.