‘I daresay Edward misses his friends now he’s out of the army,’ she said. ‘It will do him good to get out and about.’

‘Even when he’s supposed to be working?’ Mrs Church’s brows lifted.

‘It’s up to him, isn’t it? Edward knows what he’s doing.’

‘Well, I hope you’re right. Although I can’t say I’d like the idea of my husband associating with the likes of Billy Willis,’ she added.

Anna looked at Mrs Church’s smug face. She was enjoying this, she thought. She was the kind of woman who loved having secrets and knowing all the gossip. Anna didn’t want to give her the satisfaction of asking, but in the end she couldn’t help herself.

‘Who’s Billy Willis, when he’s at home?’

‘Only the biggest villain in Bethnal Green. Honestly, I’m surprised you ain’t heard of him. Billy and his gang run the betting at all the racecourses between here and Doncaster. And a lot of other things besides,’ she said darkly. ‘Believe me, your husband’s doing himself no favours getting mixed up with the likes of them. I’d be worried, if I were you, Miss Anna.’

Of course she was worried. But she wasn’t about to show Mrs Church that.

‘I can’t choose my husband’s friends for him, can I?’ she said.

‘So you don’t mind that they’re leading him astray?’

Anna frowned. ‘What do you mean?’

‘Yes, Mrs C. What do you mean?’

They both swung round. Edward stood in the doorway to the shop. He looked tired and dishevelled in his rumpled clothes, his eyes red-rimmed from lack of sleep.

‘Edward!’ Anna ran to him, relief surging through her. ‘Oh, thank God. I’ve been so worried.’

‘I’m not surprised. It sounds like Mrs C’s been filling your head with all sorts of stories.’ He put his arm around her and planted a kiss on her forehead. He smelled of stale beer and cigarettes. ‘I bet you thought I’d been locked up in Pentonville, didn’t you?’

‘I’m just glad you’re home safe.’ Anna clung to him. ‘Where have you been?’

‘I was playing cards with my mates until late. I’d had a few drinks and I couldn’t get a cab home for love nor money, so I decided to kip on the floor. I would have walked but the weather was so filthy, I didn’t want to catch my death.’ He held her closer. ‘I’m sorry, love. I didn’t mean to worry you. I meant to be here when you got home but it took me ages to walk back from Hackney. Did Charlie manage to open up the kitchen all right without me?’

‘Yes, he did.’ Anna hugged him close, too overcome with relief to think about anything else.

‘He’s a good boy.’ He released Anna and turned to Mrs Church. ‘Sorry, Mrs C, I reckon I interrupted you when I walked in. What was it you were saying?’

Anna looked from one to the other. Mrs Church’s face was a taut mask.

‘It doesn’t matter,’ she said.