They rounded off the evening with a cup of cocoa and some of Gran’s shortbread biscuits, and then Tess accompanied the two men down the stairs so that she might bolt the green door, whilst Gran tidied up and set the table for breakfast.

Once outside on the pavement, Albert shouted a last goodnight and headed for his shop, but Snowy lingered. He had already thanked Gran for a delightful evening and a delicious meal, and now that he and Tess were alone she half expected him to make some plan for the morrow, but instead he pinched her chin, said ‘See you around, kid’, and loped off. Tess stood for a moment, staring after him, then shrugged, a puzzled frown on her brow. But Snowy was quite a bit older than she, and unlikely, in the normal way, to pay much attention to someone of her age. However, she was sure he had enjoyed himself, as she had, and would very likely suggest another outing some time.

Tess turned back to the flat, shot the bolt across and climbed the stairs, letting herself into the hall and re-joining Gran in the kitchen. Gran, laying two places at the table, smiled at her. ‘Tired?’ she queried. ‘Thank the Lord tomorrow’s Sunday, so we can both have a lie-in . . . unless you and Snowy have planned another outing, of course.’

There was a distinct question in her tone, and Tess felt obliged to be honest. ‘No, but I expect Snowy’s got plans of his own,’ she admitted. ‘The thing is, Gran, he’s a good deal older than me and he’s got a girlfriend. I couldn’t understand why he wanted to go around with me today, but it’s just occurred to me that maybe Marilyn’s on holiday, so he’s at a loose end. When I went for our rations Fat Betty was behind the counter, which usually means Mrs Thomas is off somewhere.’

Gran frowned. ‘Well, that’s a bit off,’ she said. ‘But of course he stopped you being bullied, so perhaps he thinks of you more as a younger sister, someone his girlfriend wouldn’t see as competition.’

Tess bristled. ‘If he thinks of me as a younger sister . . .’ she began, then deflated. Now that she thought about it she could quite see Gran’s point. In fact she supposed that his attitude, when teaching her to row, had been almost that of an indulgent uncle. Never once had he behaved as a boy behaves to his girlfriend. She looked across at Gran.

‘I didn’t mean . . .’ Gran began, but Tess cut across her.

‘Sorry, Gran. I didn’t mean to snap,’ she said remorsefully. ‘I didn’t much like the younger sister bit, I’d rather think of Snowy and me as just pals. After all, he’s only ever walked me home twice, and he met me on Lime Street station yesterday by accident, so I mustn’t start reading too much into it.’

Gran looked relieved. ‘You’re a sensible girl,’ she said approvingly. ‘And whilst we’re on the subject of friendship, may I remind you that Albert and myself are just like you and Snowy: good friends. So no need to worry that you’ll suddenly find yourself with a step-grandfather.’