Divided Houses. Janice Paull

a mop?’

      ‘Show it to me,’ Eddie snapped.

      Vivien sighed, fetched the mop, still in its wrapping. Eddie read the cardboard label. ‘You paid a bob for this rubbish?’

      ‘He made me … nervous.’

      He sneered. ‘Is that all he did?’

      ‘What the hell are you implying? I told you I was nervous.’

      Eddie made himself breathe. Counted to ten under his breath. ‘Did you think he might hurt you or somethin’?’

      ‘Yes. He stopped me closing the door, until I agreed ...’

      Eddie’s temper flared. ‘What did you agree to?’

      ‘Buying something, of course,’ she snapped right back at him.

      Satisfied she was telling it like it was, he answered, ‘I’ll put a lock and chain on the door. Don’t open it unless you know who’s there. Got that?’