‘But why?’ Jenny knew they had been pursuing her for the last two years, but they couldn’t force her back now. She was certain Glad was mistaken. It was probably their pride that had kept them searching. There wasn’t any other reason. ‘There isn’t anything they can do, Glad, I’m eighteen, and I hope, wiser. They can’t touch me now.’

Glad didn’t look too convinced, but she had to agree. ‘I suppose you’re right. Still, I should keep an eye out for them.’

‘I will,’ Jenny said, not feeling at all concerned. They’d found her and she’d sent them away. That was the end of it; now perhaps she could get on with her life!

‘And I’ll watch out for them as well.’ Ma scowled. ‘If they take one step inside my door again, I’ll clout them good and proper next time.’

They all laughed as the tension eased.

‘Now, where’s my cuppa?’ Ma looked around expectantly. ‘You make it for us, Ivy. And I think we might have a few biscuits left to celebrate chasing off that nasty pair, eh?’

Glad, Ivy and Ma were enjoying their tea when Ron and Jimmy erupted into the room, flushed with excitement.

‘We’ve got a job!’ Jimmy danced up and down.

Ron hugged Ivy. ‘We was first in the queue, but when others saw us they twigged that something was going on. By the time the women turned up, there was a couple of dozen men waiting.’

Glad had found another two cups and poured tea for the happy men.

‘But Mrs Stannard came out and asked for us.’ Jimmy was too excited to sit down. ‘They took us on, and two more. We start tomorrow!’

‘Of course it might not be for long,’ Ron said, obviously trying to calm Jimmy down. ‘Mrs Stannard warned us that it could only be for a couple of weeks.’

‘There’s always a chance they’ll keep us.’ Jimmy gulped down his tea, not allowing anything to dim his joy. ‘They’re going to pay me fifteen bob a week, and Ron and the others are getting eighteen bob. Isn’t that great!’

‘That’s wonderful news.’ Ivy was nearly in tears.

‘Do you know what their plans are?’ Glad asked Ron.

‘They’re going to serve hot food Monday to Friday, free for those unemployed, and a small charge for the women and children of them in work.’

Glad nodded in approval. ‘That makes sense. If they can make a bit of money from them as can afford it, then they can help them as can’t.’