‘Like I said, if you spend all your money on scratchcards and God knows what else … Everyone knows you’re a gambler. You need to get some help. Every penny you have you spend on them daft bleeding cards that you’ll never win on. You need to get help, not just money for more.’

Rita was taken back. ‘Sometimes I win. And who are you to dictate morals to me when you’ve taken a kid and locked her away. I’d rather be a gambler than a bleeding criminal. You’ve got a screw loose love, honest, you’re a lunatic.’

Tina shoved her hand in her coat pocket and fumbled about.

Rita stood waiting, growing impatient. ‘Just give me the money, will you, and I’ll be off. Honest, all I want is the cash and nobody will ever know about this. Call it our little secret. You’ll have helped me out so to speak so I’ll help you by keeping my gob shut.’

Tina took a deep breath to steady her nerves but didn’t move.

‘Just give me the money, I’m not waiting about. I’m getting soaking wet stood here.’

Tina still said nothing. It was as if she was in a trance.

Rita shook her head and turned to walk away. She had to call her bluff. ‘Fuck it then, I’ll go to the police. I can’t be arsed with mind games. Why would you have me traipsing all the way here when you had no intention of giving me the cash. You’re out of order.’

Tina’s hand stayed in her pocket and kept a tight hold of the knife she’d stashed in there. Could she use it? She marched after her blackmailer. She dragged at her coat and turned Rita to face her.

‘You’re evil you know. Rotten to the core you are. You’re not getting a penny from me. I can’t just pull four grand out of the air just like that. It will take time, you idiot. Who has thousands of quid just lying around in their bank account?’

Rita stood with the rain pelting at her face. ‘I need the money. Come on, how long will it take for you to get it sorted? I’m a fair woman. Just give me something to tide me over. But the clock’s ticking. I won’t wait for ever.’

The fight had left Tina. She pulled her hand from her pocket, empty, and sank to her knees looking up at the sky. She stared at the ground, despairing.

‘I can’t give you what you want. I’m up to my eyeballs in debt just like you are. I’ve borrowed just to get the flat set up. Please don’t tell anyone. I’ll find a way to see you right, but I can’t find four grand. Not now and no time soon.’