Kim Rafferty sat in the rocking-chair with Rosie in her arms; the toddler was almost asleep. Today had been a big day; she’d said her first word: mama. As usual, Sean wasn’t around to hear it. Kim hadn’t seen him for two days; he hadn’t come home. Probably with one of his whores. She didn’t care. Being in the same room with him made her want to be sick. Their child was the only good thing to have come out of the marriage. All that ever would come out of it.
Rosie’s eyes flickered open and closed again. Kim smiled down at her daughter and whispered. ‘Mummy’s note wasn’t enough. But we’ll get him, won’t we, Rosie? Daddy’s a bad man but we’ll get him. Just you wait. You wait and see if we don’t.’