Sarah sliced the bread, and then looked at the milk. She’d have to boil it if it was to last. The warm weather was turning the milk quicker, and it didn’t help that she had no proper larder. She finished making the sandwich and handed it to Tommy.

He gobbled it down, and she told him to go and clean his teeth. Just then there was a knock on the front door. ‘That’ll be Roger,’ she said.

‘Are you going to sit outside with him again?’

‘Yes, but you don’t have to worry. I’ll only be sitting on the doorstep.’

Sarah ran to let Roger in and as she opened the door she thought he looked gorgeous in a buttoned-up cardigan, just like a picture she’d seen of James Dean. ‘Hello, Roger. I haven’t got Tommy into bed yet, and I doubt I’ll be able to for a while now, not once he sees you’re here.’

‘That’s all right. I’ve got a treat for the lad,’ Roger said and lightly kissed Sarah.

Tommy came running from the bathroom. ‘Roger, Mum just made me a jam sandwich ’cos I didn’t eat my dinner … liver … erk!’

‘Can’t say I blame you, but you’re a lucky boy. My mum wouldn’t have given me anything else if I’d left even a mouthful of food on my plate.’

‘See, I’m far too soft with you, Tommy. Now come on, bedtime.’

‘Can I stay up for a while? Please, Mum.’

‘If you do as your mum tells you, you can have this,’ Roger said, and pulled a yo-yo from a pocket of his tweed trousers.

‘Cor, thanks, Roger,’ Tommy chirped happily as he scrambled into his bed. ‘I know how to do the yo-yo ’cos Larry’s big sister has got one.’

‘Put it under your pillow and you can play with it in the morning,’ Sarah told him as she tucked him in. ‘Go to sleep now.’

‘Night, Tommy,’ said Roger.

‘Sleep now, I’ll only be outside,’ Sarah said softly.

Tommy didn’t protest, and once on the doorstep, Roger pulled her into his arms. Sarah closed her eyes as she felt his tongue in her mouth and his lips pressing hard on hers. The kiss was a long one, but then he sat down on the step and took her hand, gently pulling her down to sit next to him.

‘I’ve been thinking,’ he said, ‘it’s not ideal sitting out here most nights, and once the winter’s here, it’s going to be impossible.’

‘I know, but what else can we do? I can’t leave Tommy by himself.’

‘You could move in with me, both of you. There’s only me and my dad, and he’s down the Labour Club most nights. Tommy would have his own room, and a garden.’