Rather than spend yet another day wallowing, getting angry and doing stupid things she only regretted, such as drunk texting, Kendra decided to distract herself. She nipped across the hallway.

She felt both a dread curiosity about Jayne being hit, and a sense of responsibility: one day she would be Ruby’s stepmum, after all. When Dawn answered her knock, she found herself gabbling with guilt.

‘Just thought I’d see how you’re feeling. Hungover? How’s Jayne’s face? I keep thinking about her.’

‘She still won’t come out of her room,’ Dawn sighed. ‘Want a coffee?’

‘I’d love one, but I came over because… I wondered if you thought it might be worth me speaking to her, and trying to get the truth out?’

Dawn hesitated, the relief writ large on her face. ‘Oh, would you? She won’t listen to me or her father. But she thinks a lot of you.’

Kendra warmed at the compliment.

Dawn’s kids were similar ages to Ben’s two, and so Kendra always made an extra effort with them – with an ulterior motive. She wanted to be a good friend to Ruby and Amber. Hoped they would all bond and grow to love each other eventually. It would take time, naturally, but in the meantime, helping Dawn out gave Kendra the opportunity to get used to being around kids of that age. To discover what they were into, because it was all a mystery to her.

In her bid to become a good stepmum, Kendra had become fond of Jayne. Sometimes, when she knew Dawn was at work, Kendra would pop over to check on the teenager, and they would sit and chat. Hearing school gossip, giving advice to the youngster, even doling out make-up tips. Kendra had learned so much.

Now, she hoped she would be able to use her influence. Fingers crossed.

‘Jayne. Come here a minute,’ Dawn yelled.

A door opened and Dawn’s daughter peered out from her bedroom. She had yellow shadows under her eyes, the bruising spreading from a swollen nose that was purple on the end. Kendra winced.

‘See!’ said her mum unnecessarily.

‘I do… Gosh, Jayne, are you all right?’

The teenager gave a surly shrug. Jayne was built like her mum, sturdy and pear-shaped. But while her mum’s eyes were blue sparklers that sang of kindness, Jayne’s were a dirge of muddy brown.

‘You poor thing,’ Kendra tutted, surging forward with a hug. Jayne squeezed back. Dawn discreetly wandered away, closing the lounge door behind her.

‘Now Jayne…’ Kendra kept her hands on the teen’s shoulders. ‘What on earth is going on? Your mum says you won’t say who did this.’

Kendra’s hands rose and fell with the teen’s shoulders.

‘It’s not worth saying. Thing is, it is that Ruby Thomas, Mum’s right, but…’

‘But she’s a bit of a nutter, isn’t she? I remember you telling me about her before.’

Jayne had told a couple of tales about Ruby, saying she was a troublemaker, stuck-up, didn’t want to make friends with anyone, and all sorts of other things. Sadly, it was all things Ben himself had said about his daughter, the rare times he talked about his family. No wonder he was so stressed out all the time. And no wonder he didn’t feel he could leave. If only he would realise that if he left home he would be happier, which would mean he would be in a better frame of mind to support his clearly troubled daughter. Kendra would help him as much as she could, too. Hell, perhaps her friendship and mentoring could even bring Ruby to her senses.

All Kendra wanted to do was make life better for her lover. Which was why she was talking to Jayne at that moment. She took Jayne’s hand.

‘You know, I understand why your mum thinks you should tell the police who hurt you… but you’re right to keep it to yourself. They’re not going to do anything, are they? And if this Ruby is as nuts as you say, well, it’s best not to antagonise her – who knows what she might do next, otherwise.’

They talked back and forth for a few minutes, as Jayne filled her friend in on everything that had been said and done. Finally, she frowned, thinking. ‘You’re right. I should deal with this myself.’

‘I think it’s for the best.’ Kendra gave Jayne’s square hand a squeeze. ‘But if your mum asks what I said, I tried to get you to tell all, yeah?’

‘I won’t drop you in it.’

‘Thanks. Oh, I almost forgot, I brought this lipstick for you. I bought it the other day and it’s really not my shade. Want it?’

Jayne’s face lit up. ‘Cool, thanks.’

The pink shade would currently only accentuate the purple of the teenager’s nose, but Kendra kept that opinion to herself.

Mission accomplished, she was feeling rather pleased with herself as she nipped out to do some food shopping. She even spotted Jayne leaving the building, so had clearly made her feel better. More importantly, she had managed to ensure her silence. Benjamin would be so pleased with her when she told him.

She had tried several times to get Ben to open up about his children, but he rarely did. Kendra needed to show him she wasn’t only with him for sex, or to be looked after, she actually cared about his life. By winning this small victory for him, and making sure Ruby stayed out of trouble, he would see more clearly how she and the kids would be able to get along once he and Kendra were officially a couple.