‘Right, then you’ll be wanting that job with my mum now. I’ve already spoken to her about it and she’s looking forward to meeting you. Do you want to come round tomorrow evening?’ George hoped she’d say yes. His mum had taken a bit of persuasion, but eventually she had agreed to give Sarah a chance.

‘Yes, thanks, that would be great. There’s just one more thing I was hoping you could help me with?’

‘Always a pleasure to lend a hand to a beautiful young lady … What can I do for you?’

‘Well, it’s a bit of a long story …’

George laughed and interrupted, ‘It usually is with you.’

‘Thing is, I want to get in touch with someone. I know his name and I know he lives on Lavender Hill, but that’s about it. It’s a bit of a delicate situation, so I can’t just go and knock on every door until I find him. Any suggestions?’

George rubbed his chin as he thought. He wanted to know more about the man she was looking for. If it was a love interest, then he wasn’t sure that he really wanted to help. ‘I know it’s none of my business, but why is it “delicate”?’

‘Like I said, it’s a long story, but … I think the man I’m looking for is my dad.’

‘Oh, I see,’ George said, feeling chuffed that she wasn’t chasing after another bloke. ‘I take it that he doesn’t know about you then?’

‘No. He knew my mum was pregnant, but that’s about it. From what I know he’s got a family of his own, so he ain’t going to want me banging on his door.’

‘This bloke, your dad, what’s his name? Chances are, if he’s a local, I might know him.’

‘Ron Lyons,’ Sarah answered.

‘Ron Lyons,’ George parroted as he thought hard. ‘The name sounds familiar … In fact, there was a girl in my school called Theresa Lyons. She was a few years below me, but she could be related. Hang on a tick.’

George walked over to Roger who he noticed was staying out of the way, but still eyeing Sarah from a distance with a lustful look. ‘Mate, do you remember Theresa Lyons from school?’

‘Yes, and I tell you what, that ugly duckling has grown into a right looker. I saw her at the Town Hall dance with Freddie the Fish. Don’t know what she was doing with him though, she’s well out of his league.’

‘I don’t suppose you know where she lives?’

‘On Lavender Hill. Why do you want to know? I thought you was well into Sarah?’

‘It’s not me who wants to know, it’s Sarah, she’s looking for Theresa’s dad, Ron.’