Now, however, Albert glanced at his wristwatch. It was five-thirty, time to close for the day. He slid off his stool and went across to the door to hang up the closed sign. It was high time, he considered, to have another go. Tess had a thriving business, which was enabling her to save a good sum of money in her post office account. She was happy and fulfilled; she and Snowy were in love and meant to marry, which meant that as far as Albert could see there was no good reason for delaying his proposal any longer. This time, he thought hopefully, he would be able to counter any argument that Tess would be made unhappy by such a move. Why on earth should she? All young things leave the nest at some stage in their development, and it was about time Tess began to flutter her wings and let her gran do the same.

Every Friday Albert and the Williamses took it in turns to buy fish and chips. Tonight it was Albert’s turn, so when he had satisfied himself that all was in order in the shop he put on his coat and set off for Pownall’s, wondering whether this evening might be the right time to broach the subject nearest to his heart. However, when he presently joined Edie in the flat above the pet shop, two steaming parcels of haddock and chips in his hands, he saw at once that his proposal would have to wait. With Tess away, Edie had been working hard all day, and was clearly too tired to be confronted with yet another dilemma to resolve.

When the meal was over and they had talked companionably through the day’s business, Albert returned to his own flat, where he put the kettle on and got out the tin of shortbread biscuits Edie had made for him. He had never told Edie how lonely he sometimes felt here, but now he decided he would do so. It would have to be quite soon, however, because when Tess came back from the farm he and Edie would not have many chances to be alone.

It was a shame, he thought, that Snowy would not be home for the New Year, but Tess had said that Mrs White intended to save their Christmas, turkey and all, as a surprise for their only child. There would be crackers, a tree laden with tinsel and small gifts, a pudding flaming with brandy, and of course presents, gaily wrapped, and all at the end of January.

Albert, with his own preparations well advanced, had asked apprehensively whether they too should put off Christmas, but to his relief both Tess and Edie had shaken their heads. ‘Put off Christmas?’ Tess had said, sounding downright shocked. ‘No, indeed! Mitch and Elsie are coming round to us for a grand Christmas tea . . .’

‘And since you are providing the bird for our Christmas dinner, I trust you’ll arrive at the crack of dawn,’ Edie had reminded him. ‘We’ll have our presents immediately after breakfast – you’ll come round for breakfast – so don’t worry that we might change our minds and defer it, because we shan’t.’