‘You look a proper picture.’ Fred nodded in approval. ‘Where’s Matt taking you?’

‘A new restaurant that opened earlier this year in Piccadilly; it’s called the Monseigneur.’ She fiddled nervously with the frock. It had come from the market, but looked quite good really. The material swirled easily around her legs as she moved, although it wasn’t silk, of course. The dark red suited her colouring beautifully, and there was embroidery around the neck in a brighter red. Her shoes were black with a fashionable strap across the instep; Ivy had cut her hair in the latest short style; and to complete the ensemble she wore the pendant her father had given her and Ma’s brooch. After two years of being so short of money, she was finding it hard to spend on what she now considered luxuries.

A car pulled up outside and Jenny grabbed her coat, also new from the market. This was black with an imitation-fur collar; she found it so warm after the threadbare one she had been wearing. ‘He’s here!’

‘You look like an excited kid,’ Glad said, laughing.

‘Well, this is my first date!’

There was a knock on the door and Fred opened it. ‘Come in, Matt. She’s all ready.’

Matthew took one look at Jenny and stopped dead. When he didn’t speak, her spirits plummeted. Perhaps she should have bought a better frock.

‘She’s a pretty sight, ain’t she?’ Fred looked proud.

‘I’ll say.’ Matthew recovered. ‘You look beautiful, Jen. And you’ve had your hair cut.’

Her hand reached up and touched her shining dark hair. ‘Ivy did it for me.’

‘It really suits you.’ He bent and kissed her cheek. ‘All the other men are going to envy me tonight. Shall we go?’

She was relieved. For a moment she had thought that he wouldn’t want to take her out.

‘Just a minute.’ Fred looked pointedly at Matt. ‘What time you gonna be back?’

‘I’ll have Jen back by twelve o’clock. Will that be all right?’

Fred agreed and must have noticed Jenny’s surprised expression. ‘Someone’s got to look out for you. You ain’t got no dad to keep an eye on the young men.’

‘I won’t keep her out too late, sir,’ Matt said politely, making everyone laugh.

‘That’s the first time I’ve ever been called sir.’ Fred slapped Matthew on the back. ‘Off you go, have a good time and take good care of our Jen.’

‘I won’t let her out of my sight.’ Matthew led Jenny to the car, still smiling.

‘What’s this place like?’ she asked, as they drove up Forest Road.