‘I heard that you’re working with Lena now?’ Roger said, turning to Sarah.

‘Er … yes,’ Sarah replied, her cheeks flushing.

George was looking at Sarah too and though she couldn’t fancy him, it annoyed Mo that she wasn’t the one getting all the attention. Butting in, she said, ‘We’re out and about because it’s Sarah’s day off.’

‘What have you got planned then, something nice?’ asked Roger.

‘Well, I was thinking of suggesting a matinee film, but I’ve changed my mind. I work at the Grand, see, and it’d be a bit boring for me. Apart from a bit of fish and chips later, we’re at a bit of a loose end. Got any good ideas?’

‘Saturday is normally our busiest day, but how about we all go to the funfair later on this evening?’ Roger suggested.

‘Please, Mum, I’ve never been to the fair. Please can we go?’ Tommy asked, emphasising the ‘please’.

Mo would have quite enjoyed squeezing up to Roger on the Jets. The fellas would always sit their girls on the inside of the flying airplane, so when the merry-go-round picked up speed, the men would lean in and squash up against the ladies. She couldn’t go out this evening, though, as Samuel would be home. ‘I’m sorry, I can’t go tonight.’

‘That’s a shame,’ Roger said, ‘I quite fancied a ride on the Big Dipper.’

‘Me too,’ Tommy whined. ‘I really wanted to go.’

‘There’s nothing to stop you taking Sarah and Tommy, eh, George?’ Roger said.

‘Yes, good idea,’ he agreed.

Mo thought it sounded a little like a set-up. It was obvious to her that Roger knew how much George was enamoured with Sarah. Trouble was, Sarah’s feelings weren’t reciprocated – well, not towards George.

‘Oh, Mum, say yes, please say yes!’ Tommy begged.

Sarah looked at the boy’s eager face and sighed. ‘Oh, all right, I suppose so, but I won’t be going on that Big Dipper thing, or the Jets. I’ll wait down the bottom while you two go on the rides.’

Roger winked at George and then returned to his stall as a queue was beginning to form. Sarah made arrangements to meet George later, and then they left the market to head for Clapham Junction. They walked in silence for a while, but then Mo asked, ‘Are you all right, Sarah?’

‘Yes, but I was hoping to be going out with Roger tonight, not George.’

‘Maybe Roger hasn’t asked you for a date ’cos they’re friends and he knows that George likes you,’ Mo offered in consolation.