Frankie shrugged. Gina was so nice and had always been so warm towards her that it was impossible to actually dislike her. Frankie was always polite towards her whenever their paths crossed, but Gina wasn’t her mum and, no matter how hard she tried, she never bloody would be.

‘And what about Stuie-wooie, is he coming over?’ Babs said, tickling her friend’s neck.

‘Stop it,’ Frankie said giggling. The Stuart situation was a standing joke between her and Babs. He was always popping round to the house and, over the years, he and Frankie had become really good friends. Stuart was handsome, funny, kind, and offered a great shoulder to cry on when she needed one, but Frankie had never looked at him in a romantic way. Jed had put her off romance for life.

‘Well, is he coming?’ Babs asked again.

‘I dunno. I suppose he might.’

Babs chuckled. Stuart owned a flat that was only five minutes from their house. He’d lived there with his girlfriend, Emma, for years, but had split up with her last year, just before they’d been due to get married. The relationship had run its course. ‘I’ll always love Em, but we were more like brother and sister in the end,’ was all Stu had said when Emma had moved back to her parents’ house.

‘Stuie-wooie wanna get in them panties of yours,’ Babs teased her friend.

‘Well, he’s got more chance of getting in yours than mine. Now drop it, will ya?’ Frankie said getting annoyed.

‘Sorry. I was only trying to cheer you up,’ Babs replied apologetically.

Frankie turned to her best friend and hugged her. ‘I know you were, mate, but there ain’t gonna be nothing that cheers me up today, I’m afraid.’

Babs had left the bedroom door open and as Brett and Kelvin ran in and both leaped onto the bed, Frankie managed a smile. Brett had just turned seven. He was such a happy child, with dark brown hair, eyes to match and a loving nature. Not only was he the light of Frankie’s life, but he was also her saviour. If it wasn’t for Brett, Frankie would never have coped at all with losing her other children. She would have given up if it hadn’t been for the strength of her feelings for her son. Brett was literally her life now, and she hated letting him out of her sight. Even when he went to school, she fretted, in case the O’Haras turned up there and kidnapped him.

‘Can we go to the park, Mummy?’ Kelvin asked Babs. He and Brett were like brothers. They were inseparable and loved sharing their bedroom and toys with each other.

‘Why don’t we go to the park, Frankie? We’ll only be moping around in here until your family arrive. It’ll do us and the boys good to get a bit of fresh air.’