After she’d handed over the bag with its contents, he counted out four pound notes, a ten shilling note and another ten shillings in small coins. Then he wrote several tickets and handed them over to her as well. She tried to read the scribble on them.

‘They’re in case you wants to buy anything back,’ Glad explained.

‘I’ll only give you three months, though,’ Uncle said hastily. ‘If you don’t come back by then, I’ll sell the goods.’

Jenny doubted she’d ever be able to get them back, and she wasn’t sure she would want to. Nevertheless she put the slips and money in her pocket. ‘Er … can I buy a coat and dress from you?’

‘What on earth for?’ Fred rubbed his chin in puzzlement. ‘Them you’ve got on are real good.’

‘They’re too good.’ Jenny grimaced and felt she ought to explain. ‘I’ve got to get a job quickly and need to look like someone who would seek employment as a servant.’

Fred muttered fiercely under his breath, ‘Find her something, Glad.’

It didn’t take long to sort out a couple of garments that fitted her, or almost. The coat was on the big side but Glad assured her she would grow into it. Jenny was staggered by the amount of clothing in the back of the shop. The dress they finally settled on was dark blue, a little faded but in reasonable condition and it looked clean. The coat was navy blue and a bit frayed around the cuffs. Glad said that after a trim up with a pair of scissors no one would notice. After much fierce haggling, Fred managed to get both items for two and sixpence.

Jenny was well pleased and left the shop clutching her parcel of working clothes. That was the first part of her plan completed, though how she would have managed without her new friends was hard to imagine.

There was a café next door, and Glad urged her through the door. ‘Let’s have a nice cuppa, shall we?’

That would be welcome, Jenny thought. She realized she was shaken by the whole experience in the pawnbroker’s, and would like a sit-down before the worry of getting back into the house without being seen. She took some coins out of her pocket. ‘You must let me pay.’

Husband and wife both shook their heads. Glad smiled kindly.

‘Bless you, my ducky, but we can afford a cup of tea. You’re going to need that money by the sound of things. We’re used to having a struggle to make ends meet, but you ain’t never had to do that, have you?’

‘No, but you must let me repay you for helping me.’

‘Just saying thanks is enough.’ Fred sat opposite her and three mugs of piping hot tea were immediately put in front of them.