He and Tess parted and Tess hurried along to the flat above the milliner’s shop. As always, the minute she climbed the stair and unlocked the door she was aware of how much she missed Gran. Even the flat misses her, she thought ruefully, going over to the oven, lighting it and popping the pie inside to warm. Not so long ago, Gran would have been there, boiling the kettle for tea, slicing and buttering bread and asking Tess all about her day. But how different it was now! The kitchen was cold and still smelt faintly musty, and Tess, looking guiltily round the room, told herself that she’d have to pull her socks up before Gran came out of hospital. The draining board was cluttered with her porridge dishes for the past week, the sink was full of pots and pans, and a loaf of bread, a small block of margarine and various other items were scattered across the kitchen table, the Welsh dresser and the draining board. I’m becoming a slut, Tess told herself guiltily. When Jonty was here I kept the place reasonably tidy, but because no one sees it but me I’ve let things slide. I’ll have to make it a habit to ask Albert in for a meal two or three times a week, she told herself. After all, he’s as much my friend as Gran’s. I might even ask Snowy to come up for a game of cards, or just for a natter. Gran’s quite right, it’s been kind of him to visit her; it relieves her boredom. Yes, from now on I’ll be a changed person.

She began the preparations for the evening meal which had once been Gran’s prerogative, and turning on the wireless set she realised that she had missed Dick Barton, Special Agent and would have to make do with light music, if she could find a channel which was not intent upon improving her mind by broadcasting the latest news. Rushing round the kitchen she tidied frantically, attacked the washing-up and unearthed a tin of peas to go with the meat and potato pie. Fortunately, Albert was a methodical man and she knew he would take at least twenty minutes over his own preparations before he arrived at her front door.

She was right. She heard Albert’s knock and ran down the stairs, realising as she opened the door how she was looking forward to telling him all that had transpired between herself and Gran.

Beaming, she ushered him inside, poured two mugs of tea and turned the radio down. Then she produced the pie from the oven and opened the can of peas. Very soon the two of them were eating, and between mouthfuls Tess told Albert that she now knew Gran was not, after all, her grandmother, and in fact was no relation.

‘. . . and Gran told me you already knew, so now there will be no more secrets,’ she was saying, when Albert held up a finger.