Jenny listened to the chatter and thought what a good couple of days it had been. Ma seemed her normal self again, and she had faced her aunt and Greaves, but this time surrounded by friends. They had left knowing they couldn’t control her now. Then had come the wonderful news that the centre was going to be open soon and that there were short-term jobs for Ron and Jimmy.

It had been very good!

23

‘I’ve just sold another car. That beautiful Lagonda you picked up the other day, Matt.’ Jake slapped him so hard on the back it nearly knocked him off his feet. ‘When you suggested this I thought you were crazy. But it’s working. Not only are we selling, but the people who buy are bringing them back for servicing and repairs.’

‘Ah, well.’ Harry wiped his greasy hands on a rag. ‘Your family know all about business, and if they were prepared to risk money in the venture, then it had a good chance of succeeding. And it looks like you’ve got another customer, Jake.’

Their boss hurried off and began talking to a man inspecting the few cars they had in stock. In about fifteen minutes he was back, rubbing his hands and smiling broadly. Matt couldn’t help noticing how much younger he looked now the worry had lifted from him.

‘He wants a second-hand Rolls-Royce! Doesn’t care about the age, so long as it’s in first-class condition.’ Jake pushed Harry. ‘You and Matt get cleaned up and go out and find one. I told him we’d have one for him by tomorrow afternoon.’

What!’ Matt stared at his boss in astonishment. ‘It’ll probably take longer than that just to track one down.’

‘It had better not. I gave the man my word.’ Jake chuckled and handed Harry an envelope with cash in it. ‘By the way, that was Lord Rollinton’s chauffeur. His lordship wants it as a twenty-first birthday present for his son. Don’t stand there with your mouths open, get moving, and don’t come back without one!’

Matt and Harry collided as they both made a dash for the sink in the corner of the workshop.

‘Where the hell are we going to find a Rolls by tomorrow?’ Harry muttered as he scrubbed away at his hands.

‘God knows.’ Matt was trying to clean his hands in the same water as Harry. It was so black that the grease was clinging in a sticky mess all around the waterline.

Harry pulled out the plug, ignoring the mess, and wiped his hands, throwing the towel to Matt. ‘Come on, you must know someone who wants to sell their Rolls-Royce.’

Matt inspected his fingernails, his mind working furiously. Now who would want to part with their car? An idea burst into his head and he almost laughed out loud. ‘What about the Greaves car?’