‘So where are you off to now?’

Sandra lowered her voice. ‘Me mam thinks I’m off to the quack’s, but I’ve a date with a fella and it won’t wait.’

‘What – the one you picked up with the other night?’

‘The very one.’ She winked cheekily. ‘He’s – how shall I put it? – well-built and, I’m happy to say, very generous with it.’

‘I see.’ With Sandra grinning wickedly like that, her meaning couldn’t be clearer. ‘And is that his only merit?’

‘It’s enough to be going on with.’

‘Honestly, Sandra, you want to be careful who you pick up in pubs and clubs. You don’t know this fella from Adam.’

‘Give it time, gal. Give it time.’

‘Does he have a name?’

‘His name’s Dave.’

‘Dave who?’

‘Never asked. All I know is, he thinks the world of me.’

‘Does he work?’

‘Bleedin’ hell, gal, you want to know a lot!’

‘So would you if it was the other way round.’

‘All right then. Yes, he does work, and bloody hard, I’ll have you know.’ Leaning forward she confided, ‘He’s got an old lorry that he lives in… honest to God, Moll, you should see it. It’s got a little cooker and a table with stools, all screwed to the floor, for when he travels about. There are curtains, and rugs on the floor, and little cupboards on the wall for his bits and bobs.’ Rolling her eyes she declared with amazement, ‘Oh, it’s like home from home.’

Giggling like a naughty schoolgirl, she added softly, ‘There’s even a double bed. It makes a lot o’ noise when you bounce about a bit, but that don’t bother us.’

Molly was worried. ‘Be careful, Sandra,’ she advised. ‘He’s probably married with a dozen kids.’

‘Nah. He ain’t married.’ But she looked uncertain.

‘How d’you know he’s not?’

‘’Cos he would have said!’ Irritated, Sandra prepared to leave. ‘Jesus, Moll, I ain’t telling you no more, and I don’t want you telling Mam neither.’

Molly knew that whatever she said, Sandra would go her own sweet way. ‘Just don’t let him use you, that’s all.’ In spite of the anguish she caused from time to time, Sandra was a good friend.

In her usual boisterous way, Alfie’s twin threw her arms round Molly, almost knocking her over. ‘He can “take me in” any time he likes,’ she joked filthily. ‘Now you get back to cleaning yer winders. Hey!’ She suddenly remembered. ‘You never said why you weren’t at work? Skiving, are you, like me?’

‘Not exactly. I’ve lost my job.’

‘Never!’ Sandra’s eyes were like saucers. ‘What will you do now?’

‘I’ve got a few ideas.’

‘Oh, you’ll do all right, gal. Somebody’s bound to snap you up.’

‘I hope so.’

‘Mind you, I expect you and our Alfie will be tying the knot any day now, then there’ll be hundreds o’ kids and you’ll have more than enough to keep you on your toes.’

Molly didn’t answer. It was obvious Sandra hadn’t stood still long enough to catch up with what was happening.