‘So how much a week do yer want for the room then?’ Ivy boldly asked the woman.

‘Seven shillins,’ the old dear responded instantly.

Ivy laughed. ‘Seven shillins! Come off it! It ain’t worth that. How about five an’ a tanner?’

The old woman glared at her. ‘Six an’ sixpence.’

Ivy shook her head. ‘Six bob an’ that’s me final offer. Yer won’t find many as will want to tackle them stairs every day.’

The old woman sniffed, disgruntled. ‘Huh! It’s bloody daylight robbery! Cheatin’ an old woman out of her fair dues!’

‘Fine, then we’ll find somewhere else.’ Ivy lifted her bag and made for the door with Holly close behind her.

‘All right, all right,’ the old woman grumbled. ‘But I wants two weeks up front!’

Ivy grinned as Holly took her purse from her bag and counted the money into the old woman’s hand.

‘The toilet’s out in the backyard through that door there.’ The old woman pointed to the end of the hallway. ‘An’ I don’t want you bringin’ men back to your room else you’ll be out on your arses quicker than you can say Jack Robinson, do yer hear me?’

‘We hear you,’ Ivy affirmed and Holly was shocked. She’d never seen Ivy so assertive. She was usually such a nervous little thing.

‘You’re responsible fer buyin’ yer own coal an’ gettin’ yer own meals,’ the old woman went on. ‘An’ I’m Mrs Hall, by the way. That’s the door to my room there. Just remember what I said, though, this is a respectable house an’ I won’t have no hanky-panky.’

Ivy didn’t even bother to answer but turned and started to lug her bag up the stairs again.

‘You did well there,’ Holly told her when they finally arrived on their landing. ‘I’ve never seen you stand up to anyone like that before.’

Ivy shrugged as she unlocked the door. ‘Well, she ain’t the sort o’ person you’re used to dealin’ with, is she?’ she answered. ‘An’ I weren’t goin’ to let her get away wi’ more than is reasonable.’

They stared around the room silently for a moment, until Ivy eventually said, ‘Right, if I go an’ find a shop before they close I can get some cleanin’ things an’ get this place shipshape by bedtime.’

‘I’ll help,’ Holly said quickly but Ivy merely grinned.

‘An’ since when have you been used to cleanin’ an’ gettin’ your hands dirty? No, leave it to me.’

But Holly was not to be put off so easily. ‘That was in my other life. This is the start of a new one so I’ll have to get used to it. You’re not my maid now, Ivy, and I want to pull my weight.’

Ivy grinned as Holly handed her some money.

‘While I’m gone you could unpack our things into the chest o’ drawers,’ she suggested as she left, leaving Holly to stare about and think ruefully of her lovely bedroom and secure, comfortable life back at home.