A Mother's Trust - Tapa dura

Phoebe Giamatti lives with her boisterous Italian family in the heart of London's East End. Phoebe's father was killed in gang warfare and she and her family share a deep hatred for the Paxman brothers - whose lawless ways strike terror into the whole community.

Despite her English mother's feckless ways, Phoebe is fiercely protective of Annie. Then just as the family are about to go to Italy for the winter, Phoebe discovers Annie is in trouble - and the Paxmans are involved. Phoebe is determined not to betray her mother's trust and, giving up her own chance of happiness, she stays behind to care for her. But when Phoebe and Annie are forced to leave London and Annie falls dangerously ill, Phoebe has little choice but to turn to the man she holds responsible for all her family's troubles...

Realising that she had lost her mother's attention, Phoebe turned her head and her heart sank as she realised who it was that had wrought the change in her mother's mood. Burly costermongers and porters from the nearby markets moved swiftly out of his path as Rogue Paxman crossed the floor to join them. Phoebe glanced anxiously at the man who was known to be the leader of a notorious mob. If her father had not become embroiled in their nefarious doings he might still be alive this day. She felt suffocated by his presence and when she swallowed there was a bitter taste in her mouth, but to her horror she realised that her mother was smiling a welcome to the man who had brought tragedy to their family. 'Mother,' Phoebe said in a low voice. 'Come with me, please.'