Grasping the kettle from the stove, Roz made her way to the door. ‘I don’t think I do,’ she said evenly, ‘but he hasn’t a hold over me, not any more …’ As soon as the last words left her lips she rued saying them, fearing it would arouse suspicion.

She took the kettle to the communal water pump, filled it and returned to the room, where she was unsurprised to see the two women – who had instantly fallen silent upon her entry – staring at her suspiciously.

‘What did you mean by that?’ Lilith asked.

‘By what?’ Roz said, radiating false innocence.

‘You know full well what,’ said Lilith. ‘Where did you go today? Or more to the point, who did you see, ’cos there ain’t no way you’ve been on your own all this time.’

Roz faltered mid-step. Surely the old woman couldn’t know? She chided herself inwardly. Of course the other woman didn’t know, she was guessing. ‘No one!’ she said calmly, making sure to keep her back to them as she replaced the kettle on the stove.

‘Liar,’ said Lilith. She leaned forward on her chair, giving Roz the benefit of a scrutinising stare. ‘You’ve met someone what’s offered to take you away from the nasty Haggartys and Liverpool.’ The sneer left her face as a thought entered her mind. ‘Your parents …’ she said softly, then shook her head. ‘No, if they were here, you wouldn’t be. It can’t be them, but then who?’

Roz lit the stove before turning to face the old woman. ‘You’re right on one thing. If my parents were here, then I wouldn’t be, but my father would, and he’d want to know what your son had done with my clothes.’ She gave a short, mirthless laugh. ‘I shouldn’t imagine they’d fit anyone at the pub, and I’ve never seen him wearing them …’

Lilith’s eyes narrowed. ‘You’ve allus had a gob on you, but you’re more cocky than usual. What’s give, or rather who’s give you such courage, I wonder?’

Suzie wrinkled her nose disapprovingly. ‘She’s a right mouth on her, that one; she don’t need no one to hold her hand.’

Roz’s heart was beginning to race in her chest. Lilith was getting too close to the truth for comfort. She tried to remain casual, changing the subject. ‘Just because I stand up to your bully of a father, doesn’t mean to say I’m mouthy. If your mother had …’

Lilith, normally slow moving, shot to her feet and thrust the end of her walking stick at Roz. ‘Don’t you dare!’ she hissed angrily. ‘You know nothing, and if you know what’s good for you, you’ll keep it that way.’

‘I know I’ve touched a nerve,’ replied Roz, but she was watching Suzie who looked anxious.