‘Look, Mrs Nolan, at least with Mr Heartfelt you have the chance to put your case. This is the first time you’ve been to see him without Mrs Doherty, isn’t it?’

Peggy took the cigarette and, leaning over the counter, accepted the light from the match he struck. She drew on it hard before she blew the smoke out to the side. ‘She did; she was better than me at explaining.’

Mr Keeble nodded understandingly. ‘Oh, I know that, you weren’t the only one. You see, she had a way, did Mrs Doherty, and whatever she promised Mr Heartfelt, people delivered, so he trusted her. Is there anyone else you can take with you? I’m not allowed, or I would offer…’

Peggy shook her head. He understood; no one liked others to know they were behind with the rent, it was an excruciating shame.

‘Look, you go down there with a plan, tell him how you can manage it, but do yourself a favour, don’t go telling him your husband has a bad back, he’s heard that one plenty of times.’

Peggy smiled gratefully. ‘I’ll try,’ she said. ‘Thanks for the cigarette, Mr Keeble.’

Peggy felt strangely dizzy, she still hadn’t eaten.

‘I’ll phone him now, Mrs Nolan,’ he said as turned to leave the office.

A trainee cashier, who had overheard the conversation, said loud enough for Peggy to hear, ‘I’m sure he’ll put the kettle on and plate up a fancy for her!’ He laughed loudly at his own joke.

‘Now, now,’ said Mr Keeble sharply, ‘I can tell you that the last thing Mrs Nolan wants to be doing right now is heading off to see Mr Heartfelt.’

Peggy had heard them and her face flushed. Mr Keeble looked apologetic and she heard him whisper something sharp in tone to the apprentice who wrinkled his nose. That made it obvious to Peggy what he thought of her. He was all of fifteen and yet, because he was well fed, in a job and wearing clean, ironed clothes, he thought he could speak to Peggy as he would to a dog. She walked out of the rent office to make her way down the dockers’ steps to the administration building, dumb, deflated and debased.

*