‘There’s a couple of possible cars in the paper.’ He smiled at his boss, who was looking quite animated; it was some time since Matt had seen him so hopeful. He just hoped he wasn’t steering him in the wrong direction, but he’d discussed this very thoroughly with John. He trusted his elder brother’s business acumen. If this idea hadn’t stood a chance, John would have told him.

‘Well, get on with it, then.’ Jake glanced out at the front of the garage. ‘Those boys will soon have the wall down, and I want to see at least three cars out there tomorrow.’

Harry and Matt scrambled to their feet as their boss tossed them a key.

‘You can take my car,’ he told them. ‘Oh, and by the way, the petrol pump will be installed at the end of next week. I’ll need some money from sales to pay for it.’

‘You’ll have it, boss,’ Harry called, as they shot out the door, eager to get their new enterprise going.

A week later they had sold enough cars to pay for the installation of the pump, with a little over. And better still, the pump was being well used in this wealthy area, and word had got round that they were buying cars. People were now bringing their vehicles to the garage, hoping to sell them. They did buy the occasional Austin Seven or Tin Lizzy, as they were jokingly referred to, if they were in good condition. Now Jake was always out the front, selling and talking to people, and seemed in his element. The rest of them were working hard all day, repairing and restoring the vehicles to get them ready for sale.

Once again the workshop was alive with tuneful whistles and friendly banter. They all knew it might not last, but it had started well, and for the moment the worry was forgotten.

‘What’s this?’ Ma peered at the plate Jenny had just put in front of her, pulling a face.

‘Porridge.’

Ma stuck her spoon in the grey mess and it stood up on its own. She gave Jenny a withering look. ‘Is it supposed to be this thick?’

‘Erm …’ Jenny placed her elbows on the table and rested her chin in her hands as she studied their breakfast. ‘I don’t think I’ve got it quite right yet.’

‘You don’t think? Jen, girl, you could plaster the walls with that.’

‘Perhaps if I put a drop more hot water in it?’

‘Don’t bother.’ Ma tugged the spoon free, dug out a small piece of the porridge and put it cautiously in her mouth. She chewed thoughtfully for a while and then swallowed it. ‘Tastes a bit like cement, but I’ve had worse, and it will fill a corner up.’