Mabel nodded. ‘Yes, unless you’re worried about getting back to the Haggartys?’

‘Blow them!’ said Roz firmly. ‘It only means Callum will have to wait a bit longer before he can go to the pub.’

Mabel grinned. ‘You’re like a breath of fresh air, but I still worry you might push him too far. We all know Suzie’s mam disappeared, but none of us ever did find out what really happened to her.’

Something in Roz caused her to hesitate. She really wasn’t scared of Callum – he might cuff his daughter, which was unacceptable, but that was a million miles away from beating her to a pulp, or worse. Was Callum really capable of murder, accidental or otherwise? She didn’t think so, but there was definitely something odd about his wife’s disappearance, and his reaction when she had brought the matter up.

‘Without proof we’re clutching at straws,’ she said simply.

‘Fair enough, but where is she?’ challenged Mabel.

‘I don’t know. All I can say is, I’m not her, and I’m not afraid to stand up to him, or to be on my own. If he looks like he’s losing the plot I’ll leave, simple as that.’

Mabel had to admire her new friend’s tenacity, and hoped that she would stay true to her word. ‘If it gets too much you can always come and stay with us for a few days.’

Roz gave her a sidelong glance. ‘Thanks, Mabel. I’m hoping I won’t need to, but it’s always good to have a back-up plan.’

‘Like father, like daughter.’ Mabel linked arms with Roz and they continued on the relatively short trip to Scotland Road, where they soon came across the house where Felix was staying. Roz knocked a brief tattoo against the blistered paintwork of the wooden door, then stood back in anticipation. Hearing footsteps approaching, her heart began to beat faster in her chest, only to drop like a stone when an old man with barely a hair on his head answered the door.

‘Not interested—’ he muttered as he began closing it again.

‘We’re not trying to sell you anything. We’re looking for Felix Ackerman,’ Roz said hastily. ‘I believe he’s staying with you?’

He opened the door wider, a gappy grin spreading across his deeply wrinkled face. ‘That’s right! Only he’s not here at the moment, he’s still at work.’

Roz’s face fell. ‘Will he be back soon?’

He pulled back his sleeve and squinted at the large watch face which adorned his wrist. ‘Not for a long time yet. They were late leaving this morning,’ he added conversationally.

‘Where does he work?’ asked Mabel.

‘Down the docks – don’t know which one, mind you. It could be any, it depends on what needs doin’.’

Mabel clicked her tongue. ‘Like looking for a needle in a haystack then.’

He nodded.

‘I could always call back tomorrow,’ suggested Roz.

‘And why not!’ said the old man amicably. ‘It’s a free world.’