‘Tell me all about it,’ Jenny urged.

Edna waved her hand, laughing. ‘It’s been a proper whirlwind romance, but he’s so nice and we love each other.’ She became serious. ‘I’ve got a chance of a new life and I’m taking it, though I’d have married him even if he’d been a chimney sweep.’

‘That’s real love, then,’ Jenny teased.

‘We’d like you to come to the wedding. I know it’s a long way, but David’s mum said you could stay with them for a couple of days.’

The disappointment was intense, but not even for such a special occasion would she go away for several days. ‘I can’t leave Ma.’

‘I was afraid you was going to say that, but I do understand. I wanted to bring David round to meet you, but he’s had to go back to Wales to arrange the wedding and sort out his new job. I’m going on the train tomorrow.’

‘You must write and tell me all about it, and send me a photo if you can.’ Jenny kept her tone cheerful. Edna was happy and she wouldn’t want to dim her joy.

‘I’ll do that.’ Edna stood up to leave. ‘And one day you must come and visit us.’

‘That will be something to look forward to.’ She kissed Edna and waved brightly as her friend walked up the street.

As soon as she was out of sight, Jenny returned to the kitchen, sat down and bowed her head in sorrow. Now she’d lost her friend.

That blasted coin definitely had two tails!

The next morning Jenny was wondering how she could go out for some shopping, with Glad out and Ivy working at the hall. She would never leave the house unless there was someone here with Ma. She emptied the tin they kept their money in, counted it and began making a list. It was essential to decide exactly what she was going to buy. Careful planning was the key to providing a decent meal each day, and Jenny was quite proud of her shopping skills these days. It didn’t matter how tempting something might be: if it wasn’t on her list, she didn’t buy it, unless it was cheaper than the item she had originally planned.

The list when finished was depressingly short, but it was all wholesome food. Apart from a few biscuits that Ma loved, luxuries were out of the question. Her mouth fairly watered when she remembered the lovely puddings and cakes she’d had in the past, but they weren’t essential. And the day would come when they would be able to buy them again: the depression couldn’t go on for ever. With that positive thought, she placed the coins on top of the list next to her shopping basket. As soon as someone came, she would pop out.