‘Yeah, we was lucky, cos Brendon tipped us the wink that their neighbours wanted to move back to Derby to be nearer their daughter and grandchildren, so we jumped straight in the minute we knew we ’ad a buyer.’

‘It’ll be a bit of a journey to school each day for Ernie and Harry,’ said Peggy.

‘They can come in on their bikes if the weather’s good, and if not, John will drive ’em in on his way to work as the school’s only opposite the fire station.’ She smiled happily. ‘They’re ever so excited to ’ave a room each at last, and I can’t wait to get my sewing room all kitted out. So as long as nothing goes wrong, we’re all sorted really.’

‘Charlie and I will come and help John and Ernie with the packing,’ said Peggy. ‘I don’t want you lifting heavy things and getting overtired.’ She dug in her handbag and pulled out her purse. ‘How much do I owe you, Sally?’

‘Nothing, so you can put that purse away,’ she replied, steering Peggy towards the door.

Peggy dug her heels in. ‘I’m not leaving without paying, Sally. You’ve put a lot of work into that outfit, and I wouldn’t feel right wearing it if I haven’t paid the proper price for it.’

‘You’ll have to go to the wedding in your old clothes then,’ she replied on a giggle. ‘Cos I ain’t taking a penny from you after all you done for me and Ernie.’

Peggy realised the girl wouldn’t budge, so deliberately ignored her jacket and went out into the hall as if she was about to leave. ‘Oh dear, I don’t know where my head is today. I seem to have left my jacket in your sewing room.’

As Sally turned back to fetch it, Peggy slipped some money into the pocket of the girl’s jacket which was hanging from a hook in the hall, and dropped her purse into her handbag.

Sally returned with her jacket. ‘Oh, thank you. dear. I’d forget my head if it wasn’t screwed on today. You see, I got a telegram from Jim this morning to say he was finally on his way home.’

‘Oh, Auntie Peggy, that’s brilliant news,’ Sally exclaimed, giving her a hug and kiss.

‘Yes, it is,’ she agreed, returning the affectionate embrace. ‘The Reilly family have got a lot to look forward to what with the wedding and Jim coming home.’

She left the house just as Ernie and Harry rushed up the beach, no doubt in search of something to eat. Ernie was a strapping lad of thirteen now who no longer needed the callipers, and young Harry was growing like a weed too, she noticed, slipping them each a threepenny bit before heading home.

Walking up the hill she began to wonder if she’d put enough money in Sally’s pocket. And yet it was more than Solly’s machinists would have earned for the hours taken to make that lovely outfit – and this did ease her conscience a little. With a new baby on the way, they would need all the money they could get if they were about to move up to the Chumley estate.