The men blessed themselves and carried on with the business in hand. Little Paddy and Harry, who knew the call was out for the older boys to help move the goods from the top of the steps to the Dohertys’ backyard, tried their luck and ran up to Jerry. ‘Can we help, Jer?’ they asked.

Jerry looked down at them and he couldn’t resist the urge to scoop Harry into his arms and hug him. ‘God, you are a grand lad and we’ve missed you,’ he said, ‘but, no, Harry, you cannot help because you’ve been sick in hospital, so you can both get home to bed. I know you will have sneaked out.’

Little Paddy grinned. ‘Ma’s at your house, Jerry; she’s had a baby, we have a sister.’

Jerry looked stunned, but he could tell the boy wasn’t lying. ‘Well, it’s going to be a double celebration tonight then,’ he said. ‘I’ll send a bottle back, just for your mam, as soon as the last crate is up and we’ll be round to wet the baby’s head. Now, both of you boys, out of the way – don’t break the chain.’

As the boys, keen not to upset Jerry, started do as they were told, they saw Gladys storming up the street.

‘Oh-oh, here comes Gladys!’ Little Paddy pulled Jerry by the sleeve and to Harry he said, ‘My ma says it’s a wonder she works in the dairy, because one look from her and the milk turns sour. Can you imagine that? She must have to stay in the house all day.’

‘That’s why she’s out now,’ said Harry, ‘because it’s dark.’

Gladys stormed up to the two boys and they froze. ‘Have you seen Eric, the milkman?’ she demanded. The two boys, open-mouthed, looked at each other. ‘Well, have you? Is he helping out with this illegal affair? Because if he is, I’ll be calling the police, I will. Jerry Deane, come here,’ she shouted across the street and Jerry, not wanting any trouble, sprinted across the street.

‘What’s wrong, Gladys?’ Jerry asked. ‘What’s the problem?’

Gladys had her arms folded, her black hat was jammed down over her brow and in the light of the street lamp, the yellow glow made her look jaundiced. Her head was bent low, her shoulders jutted upwards like two wing nubs.

‘She looks like a bat,’ whispered little Paddy to Harry and both boys put their hands over their mouths to stifle their giggles.

‘I know what you’re doing here is illegal,’ she said. ‘Is Eric down there? Because if he is, I’m calling the police.’

Jerry’s head jerked back in surprise. ‘If he is?’

‘Aye, you heard me, is he?’

Jerry’s brow furrowed and, lifting his cap, he rubbed his hand across his hair. ‘What if he isn’t? Will you be calling the police then?’