Taking the sheet of paper from his hand she opened it out and read aloud, ‘Awaiting your arrival. Please advise. Will inform Ena. Jerry Deane needs a favour. Is that it?’

‘It is and he will know exactly what it means. I don’t mind doing this, Biddy, but I’ve told you, not a drop of it is coming anywhere near the Seaman’s Stop.’

Biddy didn’t answer. She would cross that bridge when they reached it.

‘I think it might rain,’ he said, looking up at the sky.

‘I hope not,’ said Biddy. ‘I hate the rain, I do. It gets into my bones.’

Malcolm looked at her with concern; Biddy was the closest he had to a mother and, if truth be known, he felt better for having sent the telegram to Captain Conor. His own mother would have told him to do the same. He could see with his own eyes that things were not as they had once been: Biddy was ageing and dockers with big families were getting poorer, as the dock board squeezed wages to make even bigger profits and fewer ships came into port.

‘You know, Biddy, some of those women in homes where the men aren’t being taken on must be out of their minds with worry, so concern yourself not, I was happy to send the telegram – if it helps out around here, it was the right thing to do. Now, shall we go to the café on the end of the parade for a cuppa.’

Biddy smiled. ‘Good idea. And while we are there, I’ll pop into Cindy’s and get an appointment for Saturday. The best hairdresser in Liverpool, she is.’

Biddy linked her arm through Malcolm’s as they walked down the Dock Road and Malcolm tucked her arm closer into his side. ‘And you, Biddy, you’re the best friend a man could have. I couldn’t have asked for anyone better to have my back like you do. You remind me of Mam.’

‘Oh, give over, you,’ she said as she swung her handbag forwards and whacked him on his protruding belly. Malcolm gave one of his rare laughs.

‘So you aren’t cross with me about Mary, then?’

‘No, I’m not at all. That was a perfect bacon butty. You’re right, Mary is going to make my life so much easier. I don’t know why I’m so stubborn, sometimes.’

Biddy felt her heart fill with fondness. ‘I never thought I’d hear you admit that. But you must understand Malcolm, I’m always right and if you doubt me, there’s always Kathleen to read your tea leaves for confirmation. Oh look, there’s Cindy waving through the window. Get me an Eccles cake to go with that tea and I’ll be five minutes.’