Ted’s voice cut across his thoughts. ‘I suppose not, although it must have come from her, somehow.’ He too was staring out of the window. Tired of running the whys and wherefores through his mind, he decided to change the subject. ‘Why are we going to Southampton?’

His father brightened. ‘You won’t remember Rob, he’s an old mate of mine from back in the day. He moved to Plymouth with his folks because his father was a seaman working aboard a naval vessel. We’ve not seen each other for years but we always kept in touch, albeit only by way of Christmas cards. He wrote a few months back asking whether I’d be interested in taking a trip down south because he was after a partner to help him run his business. I’d have jumped at the chance, but I knew Campbell would never allow me to have the time off, so I couldn’t afford it.’ He gave Ted a grim smile. ‘I’ve got nothing holding me back now, though, so I rang the garage which he runs, to make sure he was still on board, and he was made up to hear we were on our way.’

Ted pulled an uncertain face. ‘You’re the perfect choice, but what about me? I never did any of the mechanical stuff in the factory, and I doubt he needs a dogsbody.’

‘You’ll soon catch on. I reckon you’ll make a good mechanic. I always told Campbell he should give you a chance but he wouldn’t listen.’ He nudged Ted playfully. ‘At least this way you’ll get a proper trade under your belt.’

Ted drummed his fingers against his knee. If his father was right, then this could be the opportunity of a lifetime. Back in the factory the only thing he had to look forward to was a game of footie with his pals on a Saturday; other than that his life was going to be pretty humdrum and uneventful. Being a mechanic could change his life immensely. It would mean better wages for a start, and that would lead to a better lifestyle. A small smile began to tweak his lips. If his father was right, then they would be better off putting Toff, Campbell and the city of Liverpool far behind them. With this thought in mind, he pulled his newsboy cap over his eyes and settled back into his seat to daydream of a better life.