‘Everyone says we do. It’s obvious.’

‘—so mebbe you’re Tom’s daughter as well.’

‘No! Why are you saying this? Dad, that’s a mad idea. Why on earth would you say such a thing? Mum, tell him.’

‘What’s the point? He wouldn’t believe me,’ said Dora.

‘He? He! You even speak of me as if I’m not here.’ Philip started wringing his hands and looked ready to burst into tears. ‘I can’t bear it any longer. You and Tom have ruined my whole life between you.’ He lashed out and swept the empty mugs off the kitchen table.

There was silence as the three of them looked at the shards of broken crockery, Dora and Ellen with eyes wide with shock. Luckily, the teapot full of tea was still behind him.

‘Phil, please, stop before you hurt someone,’ said Dora.

‘Mebbe you deserve to be hurt,’ he snapped. ‘I’ve put up with you flirting with my brother all my life—’

‘That’s not true and you know it.’

‘—and mebbe I’ve finally had enough.’

‘No, Dad, stop it. You’re behaving like a madman,’ said Ellen.

‘Then it’s her that’s driven me mad,’ Philip roared, pointing at Dora as he pulled the belt from off his trousers to give her a lashing.

‘No, Dad, no!’ screamed Ellen.

Suddenly the back door opened. ‘Phil, put that down now or, by God, I’ll grab it off you and give you the hiding you deserve,’ Tom said.

For a moment Philip and Dora froze. Ellen gave a silent sigh of relief. She’d told Tom of her fears when she took the garden money to him – indeed, leaving the money had been an excuse to speak to him – and he had promised to follow her up the lane and listen outside to make sure she and Dora were all right.

‘What are you doing here? Come to see my wife, have you?’ snarled Philip, holding the belt between his hands.

‘No, Phil, I’ve come to see you,’ said Tom.

Dora stepped back to put some distance between herself and Philip’s belt, and Ellen rushed over to wrap her arms around her.

‘What do you want? Why are you here?’