‘Where’s our Molly?’

‘Canoodling,’ her mother answered frankly.

‘Will I fetch her in?’

‘No. We’ll give her a minute or two longer. So long as she’s here afore your dad gets home, that’s all as matters.’

Outside, the lovers were still discussing their wedding arrangements. ‘Let’s not tell anybody just yet,’ Molly pleaded. ‘It’s a difficult time, what with our mam about to have the bairn and all. I’d rather we waited until after, if that’s all right with you.’

‘Like I said, sunshine, whatever you want is all right by me. Just as long as you don’t change your mind.’

The conversation was suddenly cut short by the arrival of Alfie’s wayward twin sister, Sandra. ‘Hey! Look at you two, kissing and cuddling in the street,’ she cried. ‘It’s a wonder old Maggie ain’t emptied her chamberpot over you!’ Drunk and unsteady on her feet, she came at them with a laugh. ‘But never you mind… sod old Maggie, eh? Sod ’em all, that’s what I say. Ain’t that right, Molly me ol’ sugar?’

Winking knowingly, she gave her friend a powerful nudge, sending Molly one way and herself the other. ‘Well, I never!’ she screeched, falling sideways into Alfie’s waiting arms. ‘I’m blowed if I ain’t three sheets to the wind!’ She took a fit of the giggles and Molly couldn’t help joining in.

Alfie’s own sense of humour was stifled by his obvious concern. ‘Take a hold of yourself, Sandra! Twice in a week you’ve come home plastered.’ Where his twin sister was concerned, nothing got by him. ‘I reckon it’s time you and me had a little talk.’

‘Aw, stop moithering!’ Shrugging him off, she belched and staggered. ‘Hark at him,’ she complained. ‘Bossy boots, ain’t he? I wouldn’t mind, but he’s only five minutes older than me. Tell him, Moll,’ she cajoled. ‘Tell him I can do whatever takes me fancy. He’ll listen to you. Go on… tell him!’ She gave her friend another little nudge, but this time Molly was ready for her.

‘No,’ she answered firmly. ‘Alfie’s right, Sandra. You’re getting a bit out of your depth. We’re all worried about you.’

‘Well, there’s no need,’ the girl replied good-naturedly. ‘I’m having a wonderful time. I’ve been dancing and singing and everybody clapped and the landlord said I could have a job in his pub any time I wanted…’ looking sheepish, she went on ‘… if only this cheeky bugger hadn’t tried it on and got me in the landlord’s bad books!’

‘Uh oh.’ Alfie could only guess. ‘You’ve been fighting again, is that it?’

Sandra looked appealingly at Molly, who wisely decided not to interfere between brother and sister.

‘It weren’t my fault!’ Sandra bunched her fists and waved her arms about as if shadow-boxing. ‘It were this randy old bloke who started it, I swear to God!’

Surprisingly light on her feet, she began leaping about. ‘Best rough and tumble I’ve seen in a long time. Ollie Pleasant got a bloody nose, an’ Fat Lizzie waded in with her umbrella, till somebody took it off her and jumped on it.’ Teetering with laughter, she clamped hold of Molly. ‘Whoops – I’ll wet meself if I’m not careful. You shoulda come with us, gal, you missed a good night. Still, I expect you had summat better to do, eh?’ She winked knowingly.