‘Hello, Mrs Green, how are you?’

‘I’m very well, luvvie. And so are you by the look o’ yer!’ The woman eyed her up and down approvingly. ‘Why you’ve grown up, an’ a right pretty young lady you’re makin’ an’ all. I missed yer smilin’ face in the shop when yer first went but yer dad wouldn’t say where you’d gone.’

Ruby squirmed uncomfortably. Mrs Green was lovely but she also liked a good gossip so there was no way she could tell her. Instead she simply said, ‘I decided after Mam died that I’d try my hand at something else.’

‘Can’t say as I blame yer, bein’ left alone wi’ that old sod.’ Mrs Green swiped her runny nose on the sleeve of her shabby coat. ‘Yer mam were a lovely woman but I pitied yer bein’ left alone wi’ that tight old bugger.’ She grinned then, revealing a row of tobacco-stained teeth. ‘Yer dad were runnin’ around like a headless chicken fer a time after yer went. Served him right an’ all. Happen then he realised just how much work yer did fer him. The shop ain’t never been the same wi’out you an’ yer mam. An’ now Lil Best ’as got ’er feet under the table an’ the business is goin’ down by the day. Serves him right, that’s what I say.’

‘Lil Best?’ Ruby was shocked. Lil was well known in the town for being loose with her favours where gentleman were concerned, but then after what her father had done to her she decided he deserved no better.

Mrs Green nodded. ‘Yes, it’s as true as I’m standin’ ’ere. She’s as different from yer mam were as chalk from cheese. But anyway, I’d best get on. My Bert’ll be ’ome fer his dinner in a couple of hours and he can be right funny if it ain’t on the table. Bye, luvvie, it was lovely to see yer.’ And with that she hitched up her wicker basket and strode away, leaving Ruby to stare thoughtfully after her.