‘Eh, don’t be giving it away for free, Jerry Deane! You’ll be putting me out of business,’ came the call from Babs, there to collect her own bottle, while Malcolm nursed his close to his chest and, looking sideways, saw Biddy grinning.

‘What are you laughing at?’ he said.

‘You,’ said Biddy. ‘You and all your moans and groans and look at you, can’t wait to open that and see what it tastes like, can you?’ Malcolm looked affronted and, not for the first time, wondered was Biddy a mind reader.

Callum saw Mary standing alone. She was tired, but she didn’t care. When the streets suffered, they were all in pain. The good times were few and far between and, when one arrived, she was happy to be in the middle of it. Callum moved across the back of the crowd and stood next to her.

‘You’ve worked hard tonight,’ he said.

Mary suppressed her desire to laugh. ‘All women work hard,’ she said.

Callum looked hurt. ‘Aye, but not many work like you do. I’ve watched you for a long time and I’ve always liked you, Mary, but you were always working.’

Mary turned to look at him. ‘You’re right,’ she said. ‘It’s been my lot but I’m going to change something, Callum, I’m going to choose myself what work it is I do from now on. Someone else has always decided for me.’ She smiled, to reassure him that she meant no offence.

‘Sure, why wouldn’t you?’ he said. ‘I chose my life. I chose the docks, not the jail. Being in control of your own way, that’s the path to happiness.’

‘I have a plan, Callum. I’m going to go and work for Cindy and I haven’t told me ma yet, but I’m going to leave home and live in the flat above the salon. Cindy is going to teach me and I’m going to be a hairdresser.’ Even though she was tired, her eyes were bright with excitement.

‘Does that mean I’ll be getting free haircuts for the rest of me life then?’ said Callum. Mary blushed to her roots and looked down to her feet. ‘Mary, I’ve asked your da and he says I can take you to the picture house tomorrow night. I wouldn’t have felt right calling at your house if I hadn’t asked him.’

Mary looked back up and her eyes met his. She had never been to town in her life at night. ‘I don’t mind,’ she said. ‘It’s the four streets, not Carnaby Street and Da would like that you asked him.’

Callum grinned as he slipped his hand into hers. ‘Good, because I can’t wait to kiss you, Mary.’