ripped from her scalp. Then it was over. Despite her headache, she had still arrived at McConaghy’s on time. That was the day Lockie took one look at her and then flew to the pub and pinned her stepfather to the wall. ‘One more time. Once more, old man, and I will kill you with my bare fists, do you understand that, you snivelling, stinking coward?’ Lily’s stepfather had shaken and cried like a baby, but it had worked; he hadn’t hit her since. A man whose brain was almost pickled in alcohol and who forgot most things did not forget Lockie’s warning. Lily fastened her coat. She was
