‘That’s a smashing idea! If anyone can make a shop run well and turn a good profit, it’s you. With George doing the buying, well, we know he’s got a good eye for that sort of thing. Funnily enough, he’s always wanted to expand into stuff other than clothing, but he’s never had room on the stall.’

‘Lena, don’t say anything to George yet. I want to make sure I can find affordable premises first and, if I can, I’d like to put it to him myself.’

‘Mum’s the word, but thinking about it, there could be a problem. You said you want a partnership with George, but I don’t think he’s got much in the way of savings.’

‘Some of the cash I have rightfully belongs to him,’ Sarah said.

‘How come?’

Sarah told Lena about the jewellery. ‘So you see, I want to repay him for the money he spent on it.’

‘Well then, it sounds like you’ve got it all worked out.’

‘I hope so. If George agrees to a partnership, I’ll start looking for premises straight away.’

‘I can’t see him turning such a good opportunity down. I think this calls for a bit of a celebration! Get the sherry glasses out and there’s a box of posh chocs in the top cupboard that Albert bought me,’ Lena said.

Sarah hoped that Lena was right and felt a surge of excitement. She’d had her own doubts and didn’t really believe she’d be capable of pulling it off. After all, she’d had little schooling, and had never run her own business before. But she trusted Lena; the woman was wise, and her belief in Sarah gave her the confidence boost she needed.

It would be wonderful to be her own boss, to have her future in her own hands, and at last some of the deep sorrow that plagued her lifted a little.

The next morning, George was sitting in the kitchen and, when Sarah joined him, he noticed that she looked different, brighter somehow. He knew mornings were difficult for her. It was the waking up followed by the realisation that Tommy wasn’t there, and he’d heard her crying many times as the sun rose. But this morning he could see there had been no tears.

Sarah poured herself a cup of tea from the pot, then sat opposite him at the table just as his mum walked into the room with a silly grin on her face. When she exchanged looks with Sarah and winked, George knew they were up to something.

‘Did you enjoy your date with Julie?’ his mother asked.

‘Yes, it was fine,’ George answered, his voice flat.

‘Is it getting serious between the two of you?’

‘Serious? No, it’s a bit early for that.’

Sarah abruptly stood up and said, ‘I’m just going to the bathroom.’