‘And have you had any luck finding a new house yet?’

Colour flared in Ivy’s cheeks. ‘What’s wi’ all these questions? When’s the weddin? Where’s yer warm coat? Have yer found a new house?’ she mimicked, then she stood so abruptly that she almost overturned her chair. ‘Why don’t yer just mind yer own bloody business and leave me to mind mine!’ she snapped and stormed away clutching her cabbage, leaving Holly sitting there feeling totally bereft. People were openly staring now so after hastily settling the bill she scuttled out of there. She looked this way and that but Ivy had already disappeared into the crowds and her heart sank. She hadn’t meant to upset her but she clearly had and now she didn’t know what to do about it. Should she go and find her? She decided that it might be best if she left her to cool down a little but the afternoon was ruined now so she turned miserably in the direction of home. Ivy was her best friend and she hated them not being on good terms.

I’ll go and see her on my way home from work tomorrow and apologise, she promised herself. She didn’t know what else she could do.

It was actually Ivy who was the first to apologise when Holly arrived the next day.

‘I’m sorry I blew me top at yer yesterday,’ she said the instant Holly stepped into the room. ‘I reckon it’s bein’ pregnant. Me moods are all over the place.’

Jeremy wasn’t in again and Holly was beginning to wonder if she was ever going to meet the elusive bridegroom-to-be.

‘I’m sorry too, I didn’t mean to sound like I was quizzing you,’ she apologised, giving Ivy a hug. ‘And look – I brought some milk in case you didn’t have any.’

Ivy grinned. ‘I don’t, as it happens, an’ you’ll have to excuse the room bein’ cold. I only just got in from the office an’ I ain’t had time to light the fire yet.’

‘Oh, you’re still working then?’ Holly glanced towards the empty coal scuttle and the pile of dead ashes in the grate wondering if Ivy actually had any coal, but she daren’t ask for fear of upsetting her again.

‘Hmm, I thought I’d stay on fer another couple o’ months until I start to show.’ Ivy put the kettle on the gas ring and struck a match to light it. ‘Though I’m not goin’ on the suffragette rallies any more. I’ve got to think o’ the little ’un here.’ Her hand dropped to her stomach and Holly nodded understandingly. At least that’s one good thing to come of all this, she thought. She had always feared Ivy would end up being arrested again and thrown into prison. Only the week before she had read in the newspaper of some of the suffragettes chaining themselves to railings and the thought of Ivy doing that terrified her.