The waitress had arrived to give them each a buttered roll, whereupon Mrs Williams had remarked that these were very similar to the ones she made at Deering’s when she was on the baking shift.

Albert stopped with a buttered roll halfway to his mouth. ‘Do you mean Deering’s on Heyworth Street? If so you must walk past my shop every time you go to work: Albert Payne, Purveyor of Fine Tobaccos. Do you know it?’

His companion nodded, a dimple peeping beside her mouth. ‘Course I do! And you know me, though we’ve never actually met. I’m Tess Williams’s gran, and you’re the man who rescued her when some lads chased her into your shop.’

Albert stared for a moment, quite bereft of speech, but then he too began to smile. ‘Well, of all the odd coincidences . . .’ he said. ‘And what a happy one! I’ve often wanted to meet you, because of course I’ve heard a great deal about you, but somehow it’s never happened. How Tess will laugh when we tell her how we met! Forgive me, but you don’t look old enough to be anyone’s grandmother, let alone a great girl like Tess’s.’

‘Oh, dear,’ Mrs Williams said. ‘If I tell you, will you promise not to say anything to Tess?’

Albert frowned, ‘I don’t understand,’ he said slowly. ‘I don’t wish to deceive Tess . . . do you not want me to say we’ve met?’

Mrs Williams shook her head impatiently. ‘No, no, nothing like that. But the truth is, I’m not anyone’s gran. During the war I got friendly with an elderly lady who was actually Tess’s grandmother. But she died just before the end of the war and when the authorities were looking for someone to take care of Tess I’m afraid I misled them. My name was Williams too, you see, Edith as well, so when they asked about an Edith Williams I stepped forward. I couldn’t bear the thought of my friend’s granddaughter being put in a children’s home, which would have happened, because she had no other relatives willing to take her on. And once I started the deception, and Tess never queried our relationship – she was only six when she was evacuated, and since Edith and her daughter didn’t get on she hardly remembered her grandmother at all – I couldn’t get out of it; didn’t want to, in fact. Tess is a grand girl, marvellous company and bright as a button. At first we had a struggle to manage but she never complained even when food was scarce, and she’s got a healthy appetite. Only then I got the job at Deering’s – at first it was just for special Christmas orders, but when they realised I was a good worker they took me on full time.’

‘And you still never told Tess that you’re no relation?’ Albert asked incredulously. He grinned. ‘You say she’s bright as a button, so why on earth hasn’t she done her sums? There’s just no way you could have a granddaughter her age. When are you going to tell her? You’ll have to do so some time!’