Bernadette was already putting Rosalee’s coat on. Molly watched her without speaking.

‘Kerry’s fine, Mum, if you’re interested.’

Molly went back to her task of making bread, not even acknowledging her daughter’s words.

Bernadette swallowed down an angry remark and instead said, ‘I’ll bring Rosalee back tomorrow afternoon, OK?’

‘If you like. And tell that Briony she’s not to stuff her on cakes and sweets, she’s a big enough lump as it is.’

‘Okey doke. Come on, Rosie darling, we’re going in the car.’ Rosalee grinned and said, ‘Bri, Bri.’

Bernadette kissed her face and said, ‘That’s right, Rosie, we’re going to see Briony.’

Molly wiped her hands on her apron and kissed her daughters on their cheeks.

‘Watch her now, she’s got a cold coming on.’

‘See you tomorrow, Mum.’

Molly walked out to the car with them. Smiling widely, she waved at Marcus Dowling. She approved of this big man with his blond good looks.

Marcus waved back. Once Rosalee was settled in the back of the car with Bernadette beside her, holding her hand, he drove away. Molly waved until they were out of sight, then Mother Jones came out of her front door.

‘He’s a fine-looking specimen and no mistaking.’

Molly nodded in agreement, then in a jocular voice said, ‘I wouldn’t mind his boots under my table meself !’

Mother Jones cackled in agreement.

Rosalee and Briony were sitting on the hearth rug before a roaring fire. Briony was shelling monkey nuts and Rosalee was opening her mouth at regular intervals to eat them. Kerry sat on the settee, her knees drawn up under her, and Bernadette sat on a chair by the fire, her feet resting on the polished brass trim of the hearth.

‘She eats so much, Briony, we should cut her down. Mum said she was getting too heavy for her to lift.’

Briony laughed. ‘Mother always says that, then she feeds her a great slice of apple pie.’

Kerry was at the sleeping stage of pregnancy. At five and a half months, all she wanted to do when she relaxed was have a quick nap. She yawned widely, making a throaty noise. Briony laughed.

‘Keeping you up, are we, Kel?’

‘Oh, Briony, I feel so tired. I’ll have to have an early night tonight.’

Briony was immediately concerned. ‘Look, I think you should cut the club now until after the birth. Concentrate on your recording. I reckon that’s where you’ll be best off. The contract’s signed and they can’t do nothing. You just get that out of the way. Bessie Knight can do two spots at the club, she’ll be glad of the dosh anyway.’

Kerry nodded lazily. ‘I like Bessie, I like all the Velvetones. She goes down well and all, don’t she? With the punters. Very good-looking woman.’