Desperate to take her mind off her daughter, Frankie tried to concentrate on the day ahead. Her dad knew how badly her children’s birthdays affected her every year and he was coming round to spend the day with her. He’d wanted to take her out for a meal, but knowing how upset she would be, Frankie insisted on staying indoors. How could she sit in a restaurant enjoying herself on a day like today? It was totally impossible.

‘You OK, sweet child? I woke up wanting a wee-wee and saw your light on,’ Babs said as she opened Frankie’s bedroom door.

Frankie lifted her quilt up and gesticulated to her friend to get in bed next to her. Babs had got out of prison two months before Frankie’s trial. Babs’ trial had been heartbreaking. The jury had been in tears when Matilda had given her evidence via video link. Matty had spoken bravely and candidly about Peter, Babs’ paedophile ex who had raped her, and Babs had been stunned to learn that he had been grooming and sexually abusing Matilda for months before she had caught him in the act. This knowledge had sent Babs spiralling into the depths of depression. She had questioned her qualities as a mother and it was only Frankie’s kind and constant support that had got Babs through it.

When they first moved in together, Frankie and Babs had lived in Upney. The house belonged to Eddie. It was the same one that Gary and Ricky’s mum, Beverley, had lived in until she died. The girls had been happy living there with their children, but as Brett and Kelvin neared school age, Eddie had insisted they move to a nicer area with better schools and had bought a house in Brentwood, which they now shared. Matilda no longer lived with them. She was twenty now, and a couple of years ago had succumbed to the drugs scene. Once again, Babs had blamed herself for her daughter’s troubles, but Matilda was, thankfully, clean now, working as a trainee hairdresser and was living with her grandma in West London.

‘So, what are our plans for today?’ Babs asked brightly. She knew how difficult today was bound to be for her friend and she was determined to try and keep Frankie’s spirits up in any way she could.

‘Dad, Joey and Dom are coming round about one. Dad’s bringing the kids with him as well, so we’ll have a bloody houseful. I’m not cooking; we’ll order a takeaway later.’

‘Ain’t Gina coming?’ Babs asked. She really liked Eddie’s wife, but knew Frankie had never truly accepted her as part of the family.

‘No, her mum’s broken her leg, so she’s gone to Ireland to visit her for a few days.’

‘I bet you are glad about that, ain’t you?’