Josephine Cox Sunday Times Bestsellers Collection. Josephine Cox

      On the way back to Viaduct Street, Thomas sat hunched on the driving seat, quiet and morose. He had only ever seen his father drunk once, and that was when his friend Adam had brought back some strong homemade cider to mark his birthday. It was a memorable night, which ended in laughter and good humour. This time it was different. And in all his life, Thomas had never felt so helpless.

      Over the next few days, Barney’s hitherto good name deteriorated further. ‘Cheating on his good wife,’ people tutted. ‘Carrying on wi’ all kinds, and drinking himself into a stupor every chance he gets.’

      ‘I hear he stayed out all night a while back.’ Even on the bus they tittle-tattled about him. ‘Lord knows what that family’s going through, and them supposed to be leaving for America any day now.’

      Seated behind the two gossiping women, Lucy could not wait to get off at her stop; though as she passed them she commented loudly on ‘folks who can’t help but gossip, even when they don’t have a clue what they’re talking about’!

      As she hurried home, she wondered where it would all end.

      Bridget was alone. ‘The girls have gone on another one of these “business” appointments,’ she said proudly. ‘Sure, haven’t we gone up in the world, don’t you think?’

      ‘Mmm.’ Seating herself at the table, Lucy recalled what the women on the bus had said. ‘I hear that Barney stayed out all night a while back. How on earth do folks find out so much so soon?’

      Bridget plonked a cup of tea down on the table. ‘What exactly are we talking about?’

      Lucy told her about the two women and the conversation they were having. ‘What on earth are we going to do about Barney?’ she asked. ‘I’m at my wit’s end.’ She gave Bridget a wary look. ‘What if Vicky ever finds out he was here the night he went missing?’

      ‘I won’t tell if you won’t,’ Bridget replied. ‘What was I supposed to do when he turned up, soaking wet and looking to come inside? He only slept the drink off while I dried his clothes, that’s all.’ With big eyes she chided Lucy. ‘Should I have turned him away – is that what you’re saying?’

      Lucy shook her head. ‘No, of course it’s not.’ All the same, she felt as though she was betraying Vicky by not telling her, and she told that to Bridget now.

      Bridget was angry with her. ‘Now look here, young lady! Sure the man himself pleaded with you not to tell where he was for most of the night. You did right not to say anything, and besides, didn’t they have the holiest of rows and didn’t she get angry and lock the door against him?’

      ‘So I’m told, yes.’

      ‘There y’are, then! Even if he’d gone home, he wouldn’t have been able to get in. He’d have had to sleep on the garden bench, so he would!’

      Once Bridget was in full sail there was no stopping her. ‘I gave him a bed for the night and there’s nothing to be ashamed of in that. You and I both know how hard I’m trying to get this house respectable. It may well have been a house of pleasure a while back, but things are changing.’

      She bristled with pride. ‘You’ll notice I’m more of a businesswoman now, so ye will. What’s more, little Tillie has taken to her new job of bookkeeper like a duck to water.’ She gave a short whistle. ‘I never knew she was so good at keeping proper accounts! And she’s delighted with the shorter hours and the bigger wage-packet.’

      Lucy had to smile. ‘You always were ambitious,’ she said fondly. ‘And happen you’re right about giving Barney a bed for the night. If he had upset Vicky so much that she locked the door against him, she might have done worse if he’d gone banging on the door in the middle of the night.’

      Bridget beamed. ‘Well, there y’are then. Sure, isn’t that what I’ve been saying all along?’ She had a question. ‘Did ye manage to have a quiet word with him … about the womanising and the drinking?’

      Lucy shook her head. ‘I’ve tried time and again to get him on his own, but he always manages to dodge me.’ This time she was determined. ‘I’ve spoken with Adam. He’s worried sick about Barney, but even he hasn’t been able to talk any sense into him. Vicky and the boys will be up at Leonard Maitland’s tonight. Apparently he’s concerned about Barney and unsure about what’s happening. He’s asked the family to come and talk it through, so tonight, Barney will be on his own.’

      Bridget was doubtful. ‘Will Barney stay in, d’ye think? Or will he be off out with his floozy?’

      Lucy tapped her nose by way of a confidence. ‘It’s all been arranged. Barney’s agreed to see Adam, and being as he’s let Adam down twice before, we’re hoping that this time he’ll keep his word and be at home when his old pal arrives.’

      Bridget got the picture. ‘But it won’t be Adam who turns up, will it? It’ll be you, is that right?’

      Lucy confirmed that was the idea. ‘Seeing as he keeps avoiding me, this seems to be the only way.’

      ‘Well, I hope it works, because somebody needs to talk some sense into that foolhardy head of his,’ Bridget declared. ‘Sure, if anybody can do it, you can.’

      Just then the girls came in, dressed in their new outfits and looking like a million dollars. ‘I’ve just spent a whole afternoon in one of the best hotels in Manchester.’ Brenda’s tall, willowy figure was wrapped in the most expensive coat with fur collar and deep fur-trimmed pockets.

      ‘And I’ve been to the races.’ Shorter and perfectly formed, Lynette was better suited to the small-brimmed hat and brown silk two-piece.

      ‘I hope you both behaved like ladies?’ Raising her eyebrows, Bridget gave them a warning glance.

      On hearing how they had been paid handsomely for their escort duties, Bridget congratulated them. ‘Sure if we keep on like this, we’ll have to move to posher premises,’ she joked. ‘Now off upstairs wit’ ye, and out of those expensive clothes. You’ll need them again, I hope, so make sure you hang them up nice and neatly.’

      Shortly after the girls had departed, Lucy excused herself. ‘I’d best get ready,’ she told Bridget.

      ‘Off ye go then, and I wish ye well.’ Her friend was concerned. ‘It’s a crying shame to see how Barney’s hurting that poor family of his. If he doesn’t come to his senses soon, there’ll be no America for him, and no family to speak of neither.’

      With all that preying on her mind, Lucy got washed and changed and made herself ready to meet Adam. Having lately acquired a little black Ford, he was to run her up to the end of the lane and wait there until she came out again.

      She didn’t have to wait long before the little car drew up outside number 23. ‘What d’you think to it?’ he asked proudly. ‘Cost me an arm and a leg, but it was worth it.’

      Lucy told him she thought it was handsome, and smiling from ear to ear he helped her climb on the running board and then get inside, before taking the starting handle and thrusting it into the front of the car. Perspiring from the effort, Adam drove up the street erratically, with the car lurching and bumping. ‘I’m not quite used to it yet,’ he apologised sheepishly. ‘But I’ll get us there – don’t you worry about that.’

      When they reached the end of the lane leading to Overhill Farm, they sat awhile. ‘Have the family gone out yet, d’you think?’ Adam was on pins.

      ‘I’m not sure.’ Lucy, too, was nervous. If she did get to see Barney on his own, what would she say? How could she convince him that what he was doing was tearing the family apart? What about the future? What about America, and the family so looking forward to it now? And why was he doing this? That was the main thing.

      While they waited and watched, Lucy spoke her mind to Adam. ‘I don’t understand why Barney’s suddenly started behaving like this,’ she said. ‘He’s an intelligent