Cissy swelled with pride, holding back an urge to take a bite out of them.

Briony laughed.

‘You two can certainly eat! Cissy, love, bring the coffee through, and a cup for yourself.’

Cissy did as she was told and they all sat chatting for a while. Both boys lit up cigarettes and Briony watched them through half-closed eyes.

‘What’s this I hear about you two being over Bethnal Green way, in a drinking club?’ She had chosen her moment carefully and was gratified to see them start.

‘Oh, I hear everything, my loves. Now listen to me. I give you a lot of freedom, but take this bit of advice. You only play with the big boys when you’re big enough to win. You get my drift?’

Both boys nodded and Briony smiled at them. Relaxed now, they smiled back. Daniel and Boysie looked at one another and raised their eyebrows. They were being given permission and they both knew this.

‘Listen, Mum, we want to start up our own business but we aren’t really sure yet in what way. We went to the club in Bethnal Green just to feel the place out like. We’re going to another tonight in Canning Town. There’s a lot of money to be made with these clubs. People want a bit of life after the war. We want a bit of life, don’t we, Boysie?’

‘Too right we do!’

‘Well, just as long as you know what you’re doing. If you need anything, you only have to ask.’

They each grasped one of her hands.

‘We know that, Mum.’

Briony nodded but her heart ached. Here they were surrounded by people who loved them. She corrected herself, women who loved them. They had been fawned over and petted since birth. Briony knew that it was a harsh world out there and wanted to protect them from it. She knew they were spoilt rotten, she knew that they had been given more than was good for them, but they were fine boys nonetheless. A bit wild at times, she had had the police round on more than one occasion. But somehow she had always got them out of it, and knew she always would. They had become her life and the habit of loving them would have been too hard to break, even if she’d wanted to.

‘I set the plans for Berwick Manor in motion tomorrow. You want to see the state of it! Jesus, they wanted it for a hospital. Well, all I can say is they must have had sick pigs in there, it’s like a bleeding shithouse! Still, we all had to do our bit for the war, I suppose. There’s plenty of work ahead if I can get the wood. Luckily I have a friend who can get me all I want.’

‘At the right price?’ Boysie’s voice was jocular.