‘That’s right.’ Ron continued. ‘We’re going to make one room comfortable with a warm fire, so it can be used during the day by anyone who can’t afford to heat their own home. They’re going to keep the place open from eleven to four. The mums with little ones will be pleased with that.’

‘It sounds wonderful.’ Ivy was holding her husband’s hand and smiling with relief now.

Ron gazed at her affectionately. ‘Don’t get too excited, darling. It’s a job, but in a couple of weeks we could be back where we started.’

‘I know.’ Ivy sighed. ‘But even two weeks will help.’

‘Of course it will.’ Ron winked at Jimmy. ‘We’ve got another surprise for everyone, haven’t we?’

The young boy’s grin spread as his mother came to join them. ‘One of the women gave everyone in the queue two bob each, but me and Ron got another two bob from Mrs Stannard.’ He jingled the coins in his pocket. ‘So me and Ron are going to get fish and chips for all of us.’

‘You ought to save that money,’ Jenny told him.

‘Nah, I’ve already told Mum and she agrees. Don’t you, Mum?’ When Agnes smiled and nodded, he said, ‘Mum said it’s a fitting way to thank you and Glad for what you did for us when my dad died. And if it wasn’t for you, Jen, we wouldn’t have got this job.’

Ma touched Jenny’s hand. ‘Let them do it. They want to celebrate this bit of good luck.’

‘All right, but you must get only one portion of fish for Ma and me. We’ll share it.’

‘Oh, Jen,’ Ron said suddenly, ‘I nearly forgot, Mrs Stannard said would you pop in the hall some time. She’d like to see you.’

‘She might have a job for you as well.’ Jimmy couldn’t stop smiling.

‘I’ll go there tomorrow, and you’d better come with me, Ivy, just in case there’s work available.’ She saw the happy faces and marvelled at what a difference the chance to earn some money had made. Just for a little while they could enjoy the luxury of knowing they had a job and could share their good fortune with friends.

As soon as Fred and Stan were home, Ron and Jimmy went to the fish shop in the next road, returning loaded with packets wrapped in newspaper. There was a glorious smell of crisp batter, and salt and vinegar on the piles of chips.

There was much laughter as they gathered in Ma’s front room to eat their special treat, using fingers to pop the lovely morsels of fish and piping hot chips into their mouths. Ron had even bought a couple of bottles of beer, which he shared out between them, and milk stout for Ma.