It had been different for Gran, of course. She was able to write about all that had happened at Deering’s and in the flat, but now that she thought about it she realised that she too had not been entirely frank. To be sure, she had said that she and Albert Payne had gone on a few coach trips together, but had let it appear that when they reached their destination they had gone their separate ways. She was not sure why she had not admitted that she and Albert shared a very pleasant friendship, but knew that once Tess was home all would be revealed.

Reaching the green front door she unlocked it, hoping, as she hurried up the stairs, that Tess would have pulled the pan of potatoes over the flame and found the two tiny chops which she had managed to acquire from the butcher down the road. A can of Batchelors Peas, round and fat, awaited the tin opener and in Gran’s bag nestled a small sponge cake. She intended to make a custard to pour over the cake, which would do for a pudding.

Already smiling at the thought of the news-filled evening to come, she opened the door, and even as she did so she heard a voice. She guessed that Tess would be chatting away to herself as she made a nice cup of tea and Gran smiled as she crossed the hallway and opened the door into the kitchen. ‘How you do run on, you daft girl,’ she said, her tone half teasing, half affectionate. ‘I’m not sure whether you’re talking to the pan of potatoes or the teapot, but—’

At this point she entered the kitchen and saw both Tess and Snowy. She stopped short, a hand flying to her heart. ‘My goodness, aren’t I a silly old woman! Who’s your friend, Tess? You must introduce us.’

Tess rushed across the room and enveloped Gran in a huge hug, knocking her hat askew and causing her to drop her shopping bag. Laughing and exclaiming, she said excitedly: ‘It’s Snowy White, Gran – I’m sure I’ve told you about him. He’s the one who kept an eye on me so I wouldn’t be bullied, and he very kindly offered to carry my suitcase from the station, which was just as well because Mrs Bell packed a canvas holdall full of nice things and I couldn’t have managed both bags by myself.’

Gran smiled at the boy. She guessed him to be a couple of years older than Tess and remembered how frightened Tess had been about going to and from school until some young feller had taken her part. Obviously this was the young feller in question, so she gave him a big smile. ‘How do you do, Mr White,’ she said cheerfully. ‘I believe I have reason to be grateful to you, since Tess likes school now that she’s not being bullied. In fact I keep telling her she ought to sit for the School Certificate, but she’s that obstinate . . .’