‘Stop it,’ Gina giggled, as she felt his erection rubbing against her buttocks. Eddie chuckled and rubbed his hands against her pregnant stomach. She was only ten weeks gone and was hardly showing, but he liked to wind her up, as he knew she was paranoid about getting really fat and being unable to lose the weight after the baby was born.

‘Fuckin’ hell, girl. You ain’t ’arf piling it on already,’ he joked.

‘Oh, don’t say that,’ Gina said turning towards him to see if he was serious.

‘I’m only winding you up, there’s fuck-all of ya,’ Eddie said, laughing.

Gina playfully slapped his chest. ‘What time is it?’

‘Seven.’

‘And why have you woken me at this unearthly hour? You’d better have a bloody good reason,’ Gina said, pretending to be annoyed.

Eddie grabbed her hand and put it on his fully erect penis. ‘That good enough for ya?’

Gina laughed. ‘I suppose it’ll have to be.’

Joycie Smith put the sausage rolls in the oven then sat down to drink her cup of tea. Everyone coming to her for Christmas Day had been a last-minute arrangement. Raymond had originally been spending the day with Polly and her parents in their new house in Loughton, but because of everything that had happened with Stanley, Raymond had insisted on coming to her instead.

‘You can’t rattle around on your own in this big house at Christmas, Mum. Why don’t I invite Polly and her parents over here and we can all spend it together? There’s plenty of room here and Polly, her parents and I can all stay the night.’

Joyce had reluctantly agreed. She hated Polly’s parents, but was glad she was spending the day with her son. Since Jessica had died, Christmas had always been a difficult time for her and at least if she had a houseful she could keep herself busy with all the cooking and preparation that went with it. Joey and Dominic were coming for dinner and were also staying the night. Eddie had invited her over to his for dinner on Boxing Day, but Joyce had declined, as she was wary of meeting Gina. It would feel strange seeing another woman in Jessica’s shoes, and Joyce was worried that she might find the experience too emotional, especially at this time of year.