‘Well, well, well, a certain young lady looks radiant today. Tell me all about him,’ laughed Mary.

‘How did you know I was going to tell you about a man?’

‘Because I’m clever. Come on, spill the beans.’

Queenie couldn’t keep the smile off her face as she gabbled the whole story of her wonderful night out. ‘And you know you told me to look out for signs from Aunt Edna. The first song the pianist sang was “Bye Bye Blackbird”. Aunt Edna often started her sessions with that song too. D’ya reckon it was a sign?’

‘Without a doubt. That’s your aunt’s way of showing her approval that you’re finally out enjoying yourself. Not before time too, might I add. We can’t change the past, Queenie, but we can certainly strive for a better future.’

‘I know Aunt Edna would approve of Albie’s voice. He sings so well, Mary.’

‘How old is Albie, would you say?’

‘Older than me. About the same age as Daniel, I’d guess. He actually reminds me a bit of Daniel. He has black hair and bright green eyes too.’

‘Sweet Jesus! Let’s hope he treats his women better than my Daniel. A roving eye, my son has, that’s for sure.’ Mary craned her neck. ‘Speak of the Devil. He’s just pulled up outside. I’ll put the kettle on.’

Usually, Queenie would avoid visiting Mary when Daniel and Bridie came by, or excuse herself and quickly leave if they turned up unexpectedly. It was time she grew up though, so she smiled as Daniel and Bridie walked in with the baby. ‘Happy New Year to you all.’

Daniel bent down and kissed Queenie on the cheek. ‘Happy New Year.’

Queenie stood up and looked inside the baby’s pram. Emily, they’d called the child, and she looked nothing like Daniel. She was fair like Bridie. ‘Ahh, she’s gorgeous. She’s got so big since I last saw her.’

‘That’s probably ’cause you usually do a runner as soon as we arrive,’ winked Daniel.

Queenie felt herself blush. ‘No. I don’t. It’s just I had to be somewhere the last time you visited,’ she lied.

‘What about the time before that then?’ Daniel goaded playfully.

‘Stop teasing my dear friend,’ Mary chuckled, putting the tea tray on the table. ‘Our Queenie went out with the girls from work last night and has met a potential suitor, haven’t you, darling?’

Queenie felt embarrassed. ‘Erm, I wouldn’t go that far just yet, Mary. Let’s wait and see if he asks me out first.’

‘Well, he’d be silly not to. He won’t be asking that lush of a friend of yours out now, that’s for sure,’ Mary grinned. ‘Men don’t like drunken women, do they, Daniel?’

‘No. That’s why I married Bridie,’ Daniel replied, slinging a casual arm around his wife’s shoulders. ‘So who’s this geezer then, Queenie? Where did you meet him?’

‘None of your bloody business.’ Mary winked at Queenie. ‘You tell him nothing, sweetheart. The nosy toerag.’

Queenie drank her tea and then said her goodbyes.