‘We comes in here whenever we can,’ Glad explained. ‘The tea’s hot and cheap.’

Jenny examined the mug in front of her and was amazed at how thick the china was – it didn’t look like any china she’d ever seen. The crockery at home was so thin that you could see the liquid through it.

Fred sipped his tea and studied Jenny over the rim of his mug. ‘That there Wall Street crash thing was in America, wasn’t it?’

‘Yes, my father is … was American.’ She took a drink of her tea and nearly scalded her mouth:

‘Well, he must have family,’ Glad said. ‘Can’t you go to them?’

‘I don’t know any of them … and my mother said they wouldn’t want me anyway.’ She looked away and worried her bottom lip, feeling very lonely.

‘Dear God!’ Fred looked furious. We ain’t got much, but we’d never see one of our own in want.’

‘What you gonna do?’ Glad asked.

‘I must get a job with accommodation.’ Jenny turned her mug round and round in agitation. ‘And I’ve only got another two days to find a place. If I’m lucky, I might be able to find something as a lady’s maid. I know what a lady’s maid does,’ she assured them quickly. ‘My mother has one.’

‘A servant?’ Glad shook her head in disbelief. ‘That don’t seem right for the likes of you.’

‘There isn’t any choice. It’s either that or go to that horrible man.’

‘I can see how you’d not want to do that, but being a servant’s hard graft,’ Glad told her. ‘I know ’cos I’ve done it. But of course that was some time ago. From what I’ve heard, things are a bit easier going now. It still won’t be easy, though.’

‘I’ll manage.’ Jenny dredged up a smile. It wasn’t right to burden these kind people with her problems, but it was such a relief to have someone to talk to about the disaster. When she’d got off the bus, a feeling of loneliness had engulfed her, but having someone to talk to had helped. She was able to give a genuine smile. ‘It will be quite an experience.’

Fred whispered to his wife, who nodded. Glad found a scrap of paper in her capacious bag and wrote something down, then handed it to Jenny.

‘That’s where we live. Now, you keep it safe because if you finds yourself in trouble any time, you’re to come to us and we’ll give you a roof over your head. We ain’t got much, but you’ll be welcome.’