Rita clenched her tobacco-stained teeth together and small balls of spittle sprayed from her mouth as she spoke. ‘Listen, I can make this easy for you or I can speak to the police the moment they step through that door and tell them where she is. I will you know, because I know you’ve got her. You want that baby she’s carrying, don’t you?’

Tina couldn’t breathe. Rita stood waiting with her hands on her hips. ‘I want money, nothing major, just a couple of grand to help me sort out my finances. It will be our secret, easy really, isn’t it?’

Tina started pacing as Rita continued. ‘I’ve been evicted from my house. I’ve been staying here at the school. Why do you think I’ve been opening up every day?’

Tina looked out of the window and tears ran down her face. The game was up. ‘All I’ve ever wanted is a baby. Amelia could never look after a kid and she had nowhere else to turn. I’m giving her her life back.’

Rita raised her voice. ‘But it’s not that simple, is it? It’s illegal for starters, Miss Fancy Pants. You can’t just take a baby when you feel like it. Imagine the police when I tell them what you’ve done. You’ll lose it all, you’ll be banged up in the nick for years. Think of the story in the papers – Teacher Turns Into Baby Stealer. You’re sick, you know that? Amelia’s parents are worried out of their brains and here’s you walking around the place without a care in the world. And you’re a cheeky cow if you ask me. I’ve seen the way you look at me as if I’m dirt, but in fact, it’s you who is the worthless one, isn’t it? You’re just a desperate woman doing whatever you want to get your own way and unless you make it worth my while, I won’t stand by and let it happen. No fucking way.’

Tina eyeballed Rita. She had to up her game and stand up to her. ‘Don’t you dare speak to me like that. I’m a decent woman who works hard every day to have the life I do. It’s not my fault that you’ve lost your home, is it? Maybe stop buying all those bleeding scratchcards and sort your life out.’

‘Correct, it’s not your fault. But you can help me get it back. I want four grand. It’s quite a good price considering, but I’m not greedy. I won’t keeping coming back to the well. I just want to get my life back on track.’