‘That Freda!’ Tess had heard Fat Betty comment, when the other woman was out of hearing. ‘I dunno why she thinks she’s so bleedin’ important, just because her hubby’s a steward on the Irish ferry. Still an’ all, she checks Willie’s sums and atwixt the pair of ’em they’re never so much as a ha’penny out.’

The queue began to edge forward and Tess was edging with them when she felt a hand clutch her arm. She turned, and saw it was Snowy. ‘So this is where you are. I suppose you thought it were the last place I’d look, knowing how you and Marilyn feel about each other,’ he said, scowling at her. ‘Well, I’m not waiting here among a lot of perishin’ women. I’ll meet you outside.’

‘Please yourself,’ Tess said indifferently, feeling cross. What right had Snowy to be annoyed to find her in the Thomases’ shop? Come to that, why should he expect her to be anywhere in particular? So she stayed in the queue and when at last she reached the counter she made no attempt to hurry fat Betty or Willie, but stood waiting patiently whilst the small amounts of butter, sugar, bacon and other rationed commodities were carefully weighed, wrapped and tenderly placed in her basket. Then she left the shop and looked around for Snowy, but despite his promise to wait she could see no sign of him. Shrugging, Tess turned her steps towards the next shop on her list, but no sooner had she set off than she saw Snowy leaning against the wall, clearly waiting for someone. As she reached his side he gave a pretended start – she thought it was pretended – and smiled down at her.

‘Good girl! Ain’t it a glorious day, though? Where’s your list of messages? If it’s not too long I thought we might get a tram out to Princes Park so you and I could go on the lake. Can you row? Ever tried? And then there’s the café; we could have a bite of lunch. My mam was in a generous mood this morning, so I can afford to splash my lolly about a bit.’ Tess handed him the list and he examined it then gave it back to her, patting her head and taking her marketing bag from her. ‘I’ll carry this,’ he said briskly. ‘Are you on? To go out to Princes Park, I mean, as soon as this lot is finished?’

Tess pretended to consider, though her heart gave a joyful leap at the thought of a trip to Princes Park and a row on the lake, as well as what Snowy had described as ‘a bite of lunch’. And what was even nicer, she had an invitation of her own to offer. But some womanly instinct she had not known she possessed told her not to jump at the chance of Snowy’s company like a fish at a fly. Instead, as they walked towards the market, she pretended to consider.