‘Nice, eh, Jen?’ Ron came and stood next to her, gazing at the room proudly. ‘The mums can bring their kids here, and in that cupboard in the corner there are books and toys for them to play with.’

Mrs Stannard joined them. ‘Hello, Jenny. Everyone has worked so hard, and we’re ready to open tomorrow. Our committee’s made Ron the manager, so he’ll look after the place for us, with Jimmy’s help. Unfortunately we can’t afford to pay much.’

‘It’s better than the dole,’ Ron said. ‘Me and Jimmy are right grateful for the chance to do something useful.’

‘Does that mean a permanent job for both of you?’ Jenny grabbed Ron’s arm and knew it was when she saw his smiling face.

‘For as long as the place is needed,’ Ron said.

‘That’s just wonderful!’ Jenny was so pleased. ‘Does Ivy know?’

‘Not yet. I’ll tell her tonight.’

Jimmy tumbled into the room. ‘Have you heard about our jobs?’

‘Yes.’ Jenny held out her arms and the three of them hugged each other in delight. Then she turned to Mrs Stannard, who was watching with a smile on her face. ‘Thank you so much for doing this for them.’

‘They are the best men for the job. I only wish we could employ more.’ She looked downcast for a moment.

Seeing how much she cared, Jenny leant forward and kissed her briefly on the cheek. ‘Every man who is given a job makes one less for the dole queue, and to employ two is doing much. That’s two families who don’t have to worry where the next meal is coming from.’

‘Of course you’re right. Now we can probably find you something as well.’

‘That’s very kind of you, Mrs Stannard, but Ma takes a lot of looking after at the moment.’

‘I’m sure she does. How is she now?’

‘Getting bossy. That’s why I’m here. She wants to see your son Matthew, so could you please let him know?’

‘Of course I will. He often comes along in his lunch break. I’ll let him know as soon as I see him.’

‘Thanks. Now I must get back.’ She ran home buoyed up by the good news about Ron and Jimmy, but she mustn’t say anything until their families had been told.

‘Did you find his mother?’ Glad asked when she arrived.

‘Yes, she said she’d tell him, though I can’t understand why Ma’s set on seeing him.’

Giving a shrug, Glad picked up her bag. ‘Goodness knows what’s going through her head at the moment. I’m off, then.’

Jenny set about heating up the vegetable stew and popped in a few dumplings. Ma wasn’t eating as much as usual, but Jenny was determined to see that the meals were as inviting as possible.