Albert raised his brows. ‘You said you were going to lie in this morning,’ he said mildly. ‘But since you’re here I can always make more porridge; or you could have Weetabix or Shredded Wheat, I’ve got both.’

‘Shredded Wheat is lovely; I’ll have some of that,’ Janine said, summoning up a smile. ‘Ooh, hot toast! I wouldn’t mind a couple of rounds, even if you’ve only got margarine to spread on it.’

‘I’ve got plenty of marmalade,’ Albert said. ‘I gave Mrs Williams my extra sugar ration and bought several oranges, a couple of lemons and a grapefruit. She made me six jars of the most delicious marmalade; you must try it.’

‘I will,’ Janine assured him. She began to eat her cereal, remarking as she did so that housekeeping must be difficult with so many things still on ration and the rest, so far as she could gather, unobtainable.

Albert struck his head with the palm of his hand. ‘I knew there was something I wanted to discuss with you,’ he said. ‘Ration books! I don’t suppose you’ve got one. If you attend the clinic for expectant mothers you’ll be given all sorts of stuff – well, perhaps not given, but if you have to pay for it it’ll be very cheap. You’d better get along to Brougham Terrace as soon as you can, and whilst you’re there you could ask where you should apply for a ration book. You’ll probably need identification – your passport and your birth certificate should be enough.’ He eyed her critically, though in her large, loose-fitting dressing gown it was difficult to see her shape. ‘You aren’t showing much yet, but by Christmas there’ll be no hiding your condition. Not that we want to hide it,’ he added hastily.

As he spoke he was taking his coat off the hook and the interested expression on Janine’s face turned suddenly to annoyance. ‘Don’t you go running off to that bleedin’ pet shop to gab about me and my secrets,’ she said, her voice sharpening with every word. ‘I told you, Dad, I’ll keep house for you – and I’m a real good cook. I’m a good manager too, so why do you need to go chasin’ after that Mrs Williams?’

Albert put his coat on, wound a muffler round his neck, jammed his hat upon his head and picked up his umbrella. ‘It’s a proper blizzard out there,’ he said. ‘Since an addition – you, Janine – to our circle will affect each and every one of us, right down to Mitch and little Elsie, I intend to tell them that not only do we have one new member but very soon it will be two. What fault can you find with that, queen?’

‘I don’t want folk to know too soon,’ Janine mumbled. ‘And when we talked yesterday I thought I made it plain that you and I didn’t need anyone else, didn’t want the perishin’ Williamses in fact. We’ll manage better alone, honest to God we will.’