Tess thought of presents unbought, cards unsent, even mince pies unbaked, and smiled down hopefully into the grubby little face only just above the counter. ‘You can have any goldfish you want, and how would you like a Saturday job, Mitch?’ she said. ‘I can’t pay you much, but . . .’

The face beyond the counter was one enormous grin. ‘A Saturday job!’ Mitch breathed. ‘Oh, miss, there ain’t nothin’ I’d like more. I’d do it for no money, so I would.’ His small face clouded. ‘The only thing is, me mam’s got a job cleanin’ offices on Saturdays so I’ve promised to look after me sister Elsie. She’s three, but she’s ever so good. If I tell her to sit in a chair and not move until she’s told, she’d be good as gold, honest to God she would.’

At this point the door opened and Snowy appeared. He came over to the counter, leaned across it and kissed Tess on the tip of her nose.

‘Hello, beautiful,’ he said caressingly. ‘Time to shut up shop and accompany me to the flicks. Remember saying you wanted to see All About Eve? Well now’s your chance. Have you had a good day?’

‘Very good, but I can’t come yet, Snowy, because I’ve got to clear up first, though I’ve just employed Mitch here as a helper.’

Snowy turned and stared at the small boy, then grinned. ‘Hello, young Mitch! How are you?’

The boy grinned back. ‘Hello, Snowy,’ he said cheerfully. ‘I’ve been lookin’ at the animals and birds and that. If you like, miss, I can give you a hand right now; that way you’ll get to the flicks quicker.’

‘Thanks very much, Mitch, and now you’re on the team you’d better call me Tess,’ Tess said. ‘And you can start your job by cleaning and feeding. Snowy will keep an eye on you whilst I nip up to the flat with today’s takings so that my gran can make up the books.’

The boy stopped short. ‘Wharrabout my goldfish?’ he asked urgently. ‘It’s for my sister Elsie; it’s the only thing I could afford and she’s always wanted one.’

Tess laughed. ‘Don’t worry – I’ll fish out the one you want just as soon as I come down again. See you presently.’

Half an hour later, as Tess and Snowy emerged on to the pavement, Snowy glanced up at the windows of the flat. ‘I take it your gran’s out? No lights showing, at any rate.’

‘Well done, Sherlock Holmes,’ Tess said approvingly. ‘Gran and Albert have gone to the flicks, but not the one we’re going to. And afterwards they’re having a meal in the cinema café; Albert’s treat.’

‘And we shall do the same; my treat,’ Snowy said with a lordly air. ‘I want to have a bit of a talk, sweetheart.’

‘Talk away,’ Tess said as Snowy took her arm and they began to hurry towards the cinema. ‘But I must tell you that we had a very good day; I was on the go from half past nine until you came in, so I just hope I don’t fall asleep and miss half the film.’