Matt dipped his head to hide his smile. He couldn’t hear what Harry was saying, but it was obvious he was bargaining hard to get the Rolls as cheaply as possible. He would have loved to join in, but he had to keep out of the way, for if Greaves recognized him they would be thrown out. His father had treated Greaves and Mrs Osborne abruptly when they’d visited his parents in search of Jenny, making it very clear they were unwelcome. Their father never could hide his feelings. He spoke first and thought about it after. He was inclined to upset some people, and Matt hadn’t missed their visitors’ expressions when they were dismissed without even being offered refreshments.

‘Can I have a look in the boot?’ he asked the chauffeur. Harry and Greaves were still haggling over the price, and, as the discussion continued, he knew that he had been right. Greaves was desperate for money. If he hadn’t been, he would have walked away from Harry by now. He was still poking around in the boot when Harry tapped him on the shoulder.

‘We’ve got it, and at a very reasonable price. You go back in our car, and I’ll drive this one back to the garage.’ Before Harry put the envelope of money Jake had given them back in his pocket, he held it open for Matt to see: there was still quite a lot left.

‘My God,’ Matt muttered, ‘the man must be in a mess financially.’

Harry winked, closed the boot carefully and gave Matt a shove. ‘Wait for me down the road.’

Matt was off like a hare. A few minutes later he burst out laughing. He couldn’t wait to tell his family about this. Everyone believed Greaves to be immensely wealthy. Well, he wasn’t.

On reaching the car, he got in and drove to the end of the road to wait for Harry. He began to tap the steering wheel, turning things round in his mind. If Greaves was in trouble, why didn’t he find himself a wealthy wife? Why bother to pursue a penniless young girl? It just didn’t make sense.

Harry pulled up beside him, grinning in delight. ‘Jake’s going to be well pleased with this deal. Thanks for spotting the man was in trouble, Matt. That gave me the advantage, and when I offered him cash he wasn’t able to resist.’

‘Well done,’ Matt complimented him. Harry was an excellent mechanic, but he was also showing signs of becoming a good salesman, with a sharp appreciation of the business side of things. ‘Do you think Jake will mind if I sneak an hour off? I’d like to pop along to Lambeth and see how my mother’s getting on with the soup kitchen she’s setting up.’