Alfie must have sensed it, because he gave her a horrible excuse for a smile. ‘Come on, Kitty, don’t hang about. We’re missing the best part of the evening.’

She pulled her arm away harder and heard the fabric of her sleeve rip as she got free.

‘Now look what you’ve done, Kitty. You’ve gone and ruined your nice cardigan,’ Alfie scolded. ‘You’ll get cold now. Go on, get in, my car’s nice and warm.’

Kitty backed away, still facing him. ‘Go home, Alfie. I’m not getting in that car with you.’

Alfie made as if to take a step towards her, his expression now far from friendly, when abruptly he halted. There were footsteps behind her – with a slightly irregular rhythm. She swung around and there was Frank.

Her eyes widened. ‘F … Frank!’ Her mind spun, then she gathered her wits in a hurry. ‘I was just coming to meet you. You … you took me by surprise coming from the other direction.’ She widened her eyes at him and hoped he caught her meaning.

He stared for a moment but then cottoned on. ‘Sorry I’m late,’ he said smoothly. ‘I was waylaid, I’ll explain later.’ He looked at Alfie. ‘Mr Delaney. I’d heard you were back.’

‘Alfie’s just going,’ said Kitty. ‘Aren’t you?’ She glared at him.

For a moment she thought he would protest and even try to take out his frustration on Frank, but common sense seemed to prevail as he realised he was outnumbered and Kitty really had no intention of getting in the car with him. He turned on his heel without another word, got into the car and slammed the door heavily, before accelerating noisily away.

Kitty felt her shoulders sagging in relief. Frank caught her by the elbow and noticed the ripped wool.

‘Good lord, Kitty, what’s wrong? What did he do to you?’ He could feel fury boiling inside him.

‘It’s nothing, it’s nothing.’ She took a couple of deep breaths. ‘He just saw me walking along and wanted to give me a lift. He wasn’t very happy when I said no.’

‘But your arm,’ said Frank, touching the rip in concern.

Kitty felt her flesh react to his touch, even as she tried to minimise the danger she’d been in. ‘It’s just an old cardie, it rips at the slightest thing. He didn’t hurt me. Really, it’s all right.’ Now she was embarrassed and didn’t want to cause a fuss.

‘Damn him, Kitty, he’s got no right to behave like that,’ Frank fumed. ‘I’m glad I came along when I did.’

‘So am I,’ Kitty admitted. ‘Are you going back to your digs?’

‘Yes. I’d been to the cinema with Sylvia and just walked her to her bus stop. Shall I walk you to yours? You are heading back to Bootle, aren’t you?’