"We've only started dating though," Val added quickly, not wanting her to get the wrong idea. She wouldn't be happy if she thought he'd been hiding a boyfriend for months.

"You're a step up from the last one," Margaret said with a nod of approval. "She was dreadful, Valerie, wasn't that her name? Dreadful woman. Always looked like she was going to cry. Tried telling me they were meant to be because they were both 'Val's'."

"Mum," Val tutted. "Don't be nasty, it doesn't suit you."

Margaret ignored him though, shaking her head. "She gave me the shivers. Do you know what I mean? Some people when you meet them, you just know they're the bad sort."