‘Freddie! Come and sit down with us. I haven’t seen you for ages. Where you been hiding?’

‘I was away doing my police training. I’m a copper now, look,’ Freddie said, proudly showing Queenie his badge.

‘Good for you. I always remember you saying you wanted to be a policeman when you were a little boy.’

Queenie continued chatting to Freddie, glancing at Albie, hoping he was jealous. He didn’t seem to be, was singing along happily without a care in the world.

‘I’ve got to go now, Queenie. I’m on duty early tomorrow. It’s been wonderful seeing you. You look so glamorous now – not that you looked bad at school,’ gabbled Freddie. ‘Erm, would you do me the honour of coming on a date with me in the week? We can go for a meal, to the pictures, wherever you want.’

Queenie glanced at Albie. He was still taking no notice, annoyingly. ‘I’m actually seeing someone at the moment, Freddie. But it’s not going too well, between you and me. If I end it, have you got a contact number or address?’

Freddie scribbled down a number. ‘You can call me at work. If I’m not there, just leave a message and I’ll get back to you,’ beamed Freddie.

Queenie liked Freddie, but not in a romantic way. He wasn’t bad looking, had a cheeky face, but no way did Queenie want to date a copper. The O’Learys would be horrified for a start. However, Freddie might come in handy in her quest to snare Albie.

Freddie kissed Queenie on the cheek. ‘Bye then, Queenie. I hope to hear from you soon.’

‘Bye, Freddie.’

Aggie moved nearer to Queenie. Terry was up at the bar, chatting. ‘Did Freddie ask you out?’

‘Yeah. He didn’t realize I was courting.’

‘You got another admirer an’ all.’

‘Who?’

‘Daniel O’Leary. He came in about ten minutes ago. He’s standing at the bar and is yet to take his eyes off you.’

Shocked, Queenie looked around and Daniel grinned. She sighed. Her stomach was doing somersaults again.

Daniel strutted over. ‘That weren’t him, the geezer who just left, was it?’

‘No.’

‘Good. ’Cause you’re not bringing the filth back to our street. Where is he then?’

‘He’s the singer.’

Daniel studied Albie for a few seconds, then turned back to Queenie. ‘Did you pick him ’cause he looks a bit like me?’ he chuckled.

Queenie felt flustered. ‘No. Don’t flatter yourself. I picked him ’cause he’s a nice man.’

‘Didn’t sound like it earlier when you were talking to Mum.’

Queenie rolled her eyes. ‘What you doing ’ere, Daniel?’

‘I need to talk to you in private. Come outside with me.’

Queenie noticed Albie looking as she followed Daniel outside the pub. ‘What’s this about, Daniel? You’re clearly very drunk.’

‘It’s about you and me. I like you a lot and I know you feel the same.’

‘You’re married with a baby.’

‘Yeah, but I don’t love her. I hate the thought of you being with a bloke, settling down. I’ve got money, plenty of it, and I can give you kids. As many as you want. So how about it? I can set you up in a lovely little drum somewhere. Not round ’ere obviously. How about Essex?’