Margate, 1926

You'd lived next door to Mr Solomons for quite some time, your toddler had taken quite a shine to Cyril, Mr Solomons bull mastiff, on the other hand, Alfie wasn't at all fond of your husband, though he wasn't fond of most, he just about tolerated your toddler.

But tonight was the last straw, coming home late, stewed out of his mind, stumbling in closer to dawn than dinnertime had become his new habit.

You felt ashamed, opening the door to him, ruddy cheeked and stumbling, seeing lights flickering on in surrounding homes just with the racket he was making.

Little did you know, Alfie had already been watching, unable to sleep so he'd sat up in his study, chair facing the window as he watched the inky black sea, he didn't turn any lights on, no, that would only worry and embarrass you, sweet little heart.

His old heart ached for the babe too, never a more innocent creature in his eyes than a child, his heart ached especially so when he thought of the disgrace your little one had for a father.

"Just leave 'im already treacle.. I'm right here." he grumbled in the darkness of his study.

Your husband came clattering down the street, knocking over dustbins and waking dogs, children and the like, Alfie frowned and rolled his eyes, now sitting up straighter and grasping his cane as a precaution should he have to intervene.

He watched as you opened your front door, the golden light from within bathing the wide street as your husband clumsily climbed the steps.

After he'd snapped at your little one for not being asleep, your patience broke, when you banished him into the street was when Alfie left his own home, cane in hand though not in use, the adrenaline in his system making him momentarily forget his sciatica.

Striding up your garden path came Alfie, a fistful of your husband's collar was soon in his grasp, nearly lifting him clear of the ground.

"Keep the babe inside darlin'," Alfie muttered, his grip tightening on your husband's collar despite your husbands struggles.