‘Have you now,’ Sarah replied, but something in the way she said it made George think she already knew.

‘She wants me to meet her tomorrow morning behind the shoe shop on the main road but she won’t tell me why, only that it’s a surprise. Do you know anything about it?’

‘No, I haven’t a clue,’ Sarah answered.

She wasn’t a convincing liar and George got the impression that both she and his mother were up to something. ‘You do know, Sarah. I can tell when you’re fibbing so please spill the beans.’

‘Nope, I’m not saying a word. And I’m warning you, if you keep on at me about it I’ll chuck a bucket of cold water over you.’

‘Please tell me, Sarah,’ George begged.

‘I’m going to get the bucket. I mean it! Blimey, you’ve only got to wait ’til tomorrow to find out. I bet you was one of those kids who got up at silly o’clock on Christmas morning to see what Santa had left you.’

‘Yep, and I still am. OK, I’ll shut up about it ’cos I know how bloody stubborn you can be. I’ll be wasting my breath trying to get it out of you.’

Sarah smiled as she looked at him, but it was a strange smile, almost one of fondness. George was relieved. At least his declaration of love hadn’t ruined their friendship, and though he’d prefer her love, friendship was better than nothing.

‘Is everything ready?’ Lena asked as she walked into the old shoe shop the next morning to find Sarah flapping around like a woman possessed.

‘Yes, I think so. Oh, Lena, I’m worried sick. What if George doesn’t want to do this?’

‘Sarah, take a few deep breaths and calm down, love. We both know George is going to be thrilled to bits, so stop panicking and relax,’ Lena said. ‘He’s going to be here in twenty minutes, and he’ll wonder what’s wrong if he sees you in this state.’ The girl looked like a nervous wreck, but Lena knew her son was just about to get the surprise of his life, and she couldn’t wait to see the delight in his eyes.

‘OK, I’m calm … sort of. Let’s wait for him outside. You know him, he’s so eager to find out what’s going on, he’s bound to show up early.’

Just as the women stepped into the yard, they saw George’s van pull up.

‘Blimey, here we go,’ Sarah said excitedly to Lena.

She was tapping her finger and thumb together, but Lena couldn’t understand what Sarah was so worried about. This was a wonderful opportunity for George and he wasn’t daft enough to turn it down.