‘I quite like Justin or Brett. I suppose that’s one good thing about Jed disappearing. He can now be a Mitchell, not a bloody O’Hara.’

‘Brett Mitchell sounds all right. I ain’t too sure about Justin though, it sounds a bit poncy,’ Eddie chuckled.

Without warning, Frankie suddenly burst into tears. ‘Brett it is then, but he ain’t gonna get to meet his brother and sister, is he, Dad?’

Eddie laid his grandson in the little cot next to Frankie, sat on the edge of the bed, and hugged her. ‘Look, I know the O’Haras doing a runner ain’t ideal, but it does have its plus points – for now, anyway. Larry reckons the case will be laughed out of court if Jed can’t be found and he also reckons he can now get you bail. He’s making some more phone calls as we speak.’

‘Really? You’re not just saying that to cheer me up, are you?’

‘No, I wouldn’t do that, babe. Seriously, Larry spoke to James Fitzgerald Smythe earlier and he reckons we can get you bail as early as next week. Just be strong and hold on in there until then, OK?’

Mandy’s return immediately changed the subject.

‘How’s Babs? Did you see her?’ Frankie enquired.

‘Yep, she’s a bit sore, but doing just fine. Kelvin, she’s called her son, and he weighs ten pound. No wonder she was so big and in so much pain. She couldn’t believe that you had a little boy today as well. She said it’s a crazy coincidence and reckons it’s a sign that your babies will be just like you and her, best friends for life.’

Happy that Frankie was now laughing rather than crying, Eddie stood up. ‘I’d better make a move now, darling. Poor Larry is shattered, he’s been up since four dealing with our latest drama and he’s gonna stay at mine tonight. I’ll come back and visit you tomorrow and bring Joey with me. And don’t forget what I told you, so keep your chin up, eh?’

Frankie smiled. ‘I will, Dad, and thanks for everything. I know I don’t say this a lot, but I do love you, you know.’

Feeling his eyes well up, Eddie walked towards the door before anybody noticed. His voice was gruff with emotion as he replied. ‘And I love you too, sweetheart.’

Chapter Thirty

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

The following week was full of highs and lows for Frankie. The highs included the first days with her son, Babs returning to the prison with Kelvin and the date for her new bail hearing. The lows were the constant worry over Georgie and Harry’s whereabouts, the thought of life outside prison without Babs and the uncertainty over whether Jed was alive or dead.