She was awake at her usual time of five o’clock. In the comfort of her old feather bed, she mulled over her thoughts of late last night. One thing she had learnt was to take each day as it came, and, although there would be changes to her life, she wasn’t going to act in haste or do anything drastic. This was her home, and, for the moment, this is where she would stay. Christmas was only ten days away, and the New Year would be time enough to make big decisions.

The first faint glimmer of dawn began to lighten the sky from black to dark grey. Jenny stretched, then jumped out of bed, shivering as her feet hit the cold lino. She was too excited to stay in bed any longer. There was a lot to do this morning. Dwight and Matthew were coming for her at half past ten, and before that she must go to tell Bet she would need a couple of hours off. She had no intention of letting the stallholder down, as this was a busy time of the year, and Bet’s husband wouldn’t be fit for work until after Christmas.

Jenny washed and dressed in the kitchen, where it was warmer. As she put on her shoes, she noted what a dreadful state they were in. Not only did they have holes, but one was splitting where the upper joined the sole. While at the market today she would see if she could get a cheap pair, and perhaps even a warmer coat.

What luxury!

Before getting breakfast, she sat down and wrote a letter to Gracie, thanking her for the photographs and invitation to stay. She explained that she couldn’t come at the moment, but would visit when she could.

With that done, she sang to herself and made some porridge, chuckling when she recalled Ma’s comments about her first effort. But she’d got it right after a few goes and Ma had come to like it, especially on a cold morning such as this. ‘Lines the stomach a treat,’ she used to say.

Oh, how she wished she were still here to share in this good fortune.

Just before eight Jenny started for The Cut; she had decided that she’d be able to help Bet for a couple of hours, and then go back as soon as her visit to the bank was done with.

The car was already outside her house when she returned, and she ran towards them. ‘Morning. Sorry I’m late,’ she gasped, as Matthew got out and held the door open for her. ‘The market was so busy. Will this take long? I promised I’d get back as soon as I could.’

‘An hour or two at the most,’ Dwight said from the back seat.