‘I knew you two were in cahoots,’ George said as he walked towards the women. ‘Now, is someone going to tell me what this is all about?’

Lena looked at Sarah. ‘Go on, love, put him out of his misery.’

‘Well, I know you hate working down the market in the winter, and I also know you’d like to have more stock to sell but haven’t got the room,’ Sarah said.

‘Yes, but what has that got to do with meeting you here?’

‘Welcome to your new premises!’ Sarah exclaimed.

‘What premises?’

‘These,’ said Sarah, flinging open the door. ‘Come on, come inside, George. I’ve rented this shop, and … and I want you to come into business with me. We can sell second-hand clothes, and furniture too.’

‘Are you serious?’ he asked.

‘Yes, very. As you can see the shop needs a bit of work, but between us we can soon sort that out.’

‘Bloody hell, this is a lot to take in.’

‘George, just put Sarah out of her misery, will you? She’s been fretting that you won’t want to be her partner,’ Lena said, rolling her eyes.

‘I’d love it, but I don’t see how we can afford to take on a shop. There’s the rent to pay, and stock to buy.’

‘Don’t worry about that for now. I’ll explain everything later, but trust me, we can afford it.’

‘Right then, Sarah, you’re on,’ George said. ‘Let’s shake on it.’

Lena was so pleased to see her son beaming from ear to ear. It had been a while since she’d seen him this excited about anything. ‘Oh, George, I’m so happy for you. I know that you and Sarah will make the shop a big success,’ she said, chuffed for him. She and Albert would soon be off on their travels, and she could leave knowing that her son’s future looked bright.

Sarah shook George’s hand, but her heart was hammering in her chest and her mouth was dry. This was it. This was going to be the big reveal.

‘I’ve got to say, Sarah, you couldn’t have picked a better position. These windows are great too. Blimey, for someone who doesn’t like surprises, this is the best one I’ve ever had. Gawd knows how you two managed to keep this quiet from me, but well done,’ George said, and Sarah was pleased to see he was beaming from ear to ear.

‘George, it won’t be the finished article, but I’ve done a mock-up of our shop sign. Come out the front and I’ll show it to you,’ she said nervously.

George and Lena followed her outside and she watched his face as he read the sign. His jaw dropped, then he looked at her, and back to the sign again.

‘Oh, Sarah,’ Lena said, her eyes flooding with tears.