‘Don’t be so difficult, Ma,’ Glad scolded when she was pushed away while trying to brush Ma’s hair. ‘You’ll feel much better when you’re clean and tidy.’

Grabbing her pencil, Ma scribbled, ‘Won’t. Bugger off.’

Jenny laughed, enjoying these flashes of spirit from Ma. If she continued to improve, she would soon be shouting at them. Everyone kept telling her that there was no hope of recovery, but she didn’t believe that. She wouldn’t believe it. While Ma still had fight in her, anything was possible.

Ma was writing again, and she thrust the notebook at Jenny. It said, ‘Get Matt. Want see. Now!’

‘What do you want to see him for?’ Jenny was perplexed by the demand.

The word ‘now’ was underlined with such a heavy stroke that the pencil lead snapped. Ma tossed it away in disgust and then waved Jenny towards the door.

‘You’d better do as she says.’ Glad sighed, picking up the pencil and sharpening it. She glanced up at Jenny, giving a wry grimace. ‘She’s certainly making good use of the one arm she can move. I’ll stay with her while you find him.’

‘I’ll go to the hall and ask his mother to give him a message.’

The pencil was snatched out of Glad’s hand and the word ‘garage’ written down.

‘Now look here, Ma, I’m not going to Mayfair where he works,’ she protested. ‘I’ll tell his mother that you want to see him, and that’s all!’ She left quickly as a scowl darkened Ma’s face.

There was a spring in her step as she approached the hall. The thing that struck her was the difference in the place. The outside had been cleared of rubbish and given a coat of whitewash. It had brightened the building beyond recognition. A large notice on the outside said that all unemployed were welcome to a free hot meal. The front door wasn’t open, so she went round to the side door and let herself in.

‘Hello, Jen.’ Jimmy called as she walked into the main hall. ‘What do you think of the old place now?’

‘My goodness, what a difference.’

The main hall was filled with wooden tables and chairs; there was new lino on the floors; and every wall and ceiling had been painted. The kitchen had been opened up with a serving hatch that went along the entire wall, so food could be served straight into the dining area. Jenny could see Ron’s carpentry skills had been put to good use here. There was a smaller room just off the hall, and she looked round with a gasp of pleasure. There was a good fire burning in the grate, bathing the room in a warm glow. Again the lino was new, and there were plenty of comfortable chairs to sit on. These were all second-hand, but they were in good condition.