Ida shrugged. ‘Up to you, boy, but you’ll regret it if you lose her and she finds someone else. My health ain’t great. I won’t make old bones. There’s nothing more I’d like than to see you settled down with a nice girl. You’re not a teenager any more, Albie, you’re knocking on a bit, truth be told. Besides, I know you’re missing Queenie, ’cause you wouldn’t have been moping around indoors all week if you weren’t.’

‘I’m twenty-four, Mum, not forty! But I get your drift. I’m off to work now.’

Albie thought about his mother’s words as he walked towards the Hoop and Grapes. It was nine days now since Queenie had ended their courtship and he hadn’t been his usual jolly self since. He’d hated it when Aggie and Terry had turned up in the Beehive on Friday night without Queenie. It just wasn’t the same.

‘Morning. You all right, stranger?’ asked Micky One Ear.

‘Not really. Pour us a pint, Mick. I ain’t been in ’cause I split up with Queenie.’

Micky plonked the pint on the bar. ‘Yeah, I know. I hate to break it to you, but she was in ’ere on Thursday night.’

‘Was she! Who with?’

‘Some bloke she went to school with.’

Having just taken a large gulp, Albie spat his beer out all over the bar.

Queenie sat in Mrs O’Leary’s by the window. She knew if Albie hadn’t been in the Hoop and Grapes beforehand, he would definitely hear about her being in there with Freddie today.

Mary reckoned she was psychic and swore blind Albie would turn up today, begging forgiveness. Queenie wasn’t so sure, but was feeling excited nevertheless.

‘My Daniel ain’t happy with Bridie you know, Queen. He turned up yesterday half-cut and poured his heart out to me. Gave him what for, I did. I said he should’ve thought of that before getting her in the family way. I don’t like seeing him unhappy, but he’s made his bleedin’ bed, love. He has to lie in that now.’

‘Yeah. You’re right,’ replied Queenie. She hadn’t seen Daniel since the night he’d turned up in the Beehive and for once she had no desire to. ‘Gawd, stone the crows!’ Queenie craned her neck. ‘It’s Albie. I’m sure it’s him.’

Mary rushed to the window. ‘Yep. That’s Albie all right. What did I tell ya!’

Queenie felt her tummy doing somersaults as she watched Albie knock at her front door and her mum point at Mary’s house. She hadn’t even told her mum or Viv they’d split up. Aggie had kept schtum for her too.

‘Right, sit in the armchair, pretend you’re reading the paper. Act like you’re not that bothered,’ Mary advised, as she went to open the front door.

‘Hello, Mary,’ smiled Albie. ‘Molly said Queenie is ’ere. I need to speak to her.’

‘Come in, love. Queenie, Albie’s here, wants to speak to you.’

Queenie looked up from the newspaper. She could smell the alcohol fumes. Dutch courage, she imagined. ‘Oh, hello, Albie. What do I owe this pleasure?’ she asked, sounding far calmer than she felt.