She picked up the heavy case with an angry strength and lugged it slowly to the tram stop on the Stratford Road.

‘I knew it – I knew there was summat the matter.’

It was over a month since Katie had seen Ann, and they were sitting in their usual place with cups of tea and coffee on the table between them. Ann’s currant bun lay half eaten and forgotten on her plate since she had heard the momentous news. She leaned forward and Katie saw in her eyes, along with obvious curiosity, nothing but kindness and concern. It was such a relief, to know that she could confide in someone. Away with her airs and graces, she had thought. Away with all the secrecy. She needed help.

‘How far gone are you?’ Ann whispered. They were leaning close across the table.

‘About five months.’

‘Well . . .’ Ann sat back. ‘You won’t be able to keep that a secret much longer, will you? And – I mean . . .’ She looked confused for a moment, wondering if she’d got it all wrong. ‘I mean, when’s the wedding? I never knew there was anyone – you’re a flaming dark horse, you are! You’re not already married and not told me, are yer?’

‘No wedding.’ Katie looked into her lap. All the time now she was aware of the swell of her stomach. As she was slender, it showed quite a lot already. ‘He doesn’t want to know. Just turned his back on me.’

‘Oh my Lord.’ Ann’s eyes widened. ‘Oh, Katie – I can’t take this in. Whatever are you going to do?’

Katie looked up at her, her eyes hard, determined. ‘What else can I do? I’m Mrs O’Neill so far as everyone else knows. Thank God for the war – after all, I could have a husband anywhere or nowhere, and no one’s any the wiser. I’ve got a new job and a room – not far from you in fact.’

After a few nights staying with Enid, she had found a room to rent in Balsall Heath, within walking distance of where she worked. It was very small – no more than a boxroom, with space for a bed and a chair – but it would do.

‘My husband’s overseas in the army. I might even be a widow soon.’ She held out her left hand to show Ann the brass ring she was wearing on her third finger.

‘Oh, Katie,’ Ann said again.

‘I wasn’t going to tell anyone. Not at first. But . . .’ Her tough exterior cracked for a second. ‘I need – I can’t do all of this on my own.’

‘What about when it comes?’ Ann asked.

Katie shrugged. ‘I don’t know what to do. My landlady hasn’t spotted that I’m expecting yet, or I don’t think she’d have let me have the room. I’ll have to get out of there as soon as – well, certainly after it’s born.’