‘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.

William Campbell took the Hewitts’ rental agreement back out of the drawer and tore it in two, before taking Mr Hewitt’s note and placing it in his safe. After all, that was the only thing that stood between him and that dratted boy’s return. When he had left Aigburth Drive earlier that morning his intentions had been to turf Craig and Edward Hewitt out on their ears with no notice, and he’d tell them why as well. However, as he neared the house it occurred to him that if Edward was as fond of, or indeed as in love with Olivia as she believed him to be, this could turn out to be a big mistake. If Edward saw this as an opportunity to get his foot in the door then William would never be rid of him, or his father. He crumpled up the two halves of the agreement and threw them into the fire which smouldered in the grate. It would be a very cold day in hell before William allowed the likes of Edward to become his son-in-law, and the very thought of introducing Craig to any guests churned his stomach. An image formed in his mind, of Craig and Edward sitting around his dining table on Christmas Day, drinking his port and eating his food. ‘Over my dead body,’ William muttered beneath his breath.