A party was in full swing at Glad and Fred’s when they arrived, so they were dragged in; it was three in the morning before Jenny crawled into bed, tired but so happy. Matt had given her a long, lingering kiss tonight, and her heart was still skipping.

‘Happy New Year, Matt.’ Jake slapped him on the back and then handed him a cheque.

‘What’s this?’ he asked, puzzled.

‘That’s the money you lent me plus interest.’

He gazed at his boss in astonishment. ‘Can you afford to do this now?’

‘I certainly can.’ Jake grinned in delight. ‘Once again the business is doing nicely, and it’s all thanks to you and Luke. You were both prepared to risk your money to keep us going, and your confidence has turned things around very quickly.’

‘This is wonderful news!’ Matt had realized they were doing well, but not this well. ‘Thanks, Jake. If you ever need help in the future, you come straight to me.’

‘I will, lad, and I’m grateful for your brilliant idea about selling second-hand cars. Without that, I would have gone bankrupt for sure.’

‘I couldn’t have let that happen,’ Matt said with a shake of his head. ‘I would never have been able to finish my apprenticeship.’

Jake threw his head back and laughed. ‘Well, you’d better get back to work because you’ve still got a way to go yet.’

‘Yes, boss.’ Matt grinned, tucked the cheque into his top pocket and went back to the workshop, a spanner already in his eager hands. He knew just what he was going to do with the money: buy a house for himself and Jen, because he intended to marry her before the year was out.

The daily need for Jenny to earn enough money for the rent and food had gone, and it was a liberating thought. Bet’s husband had hobbled back to work, so she could now choose what she wanted to do, and decided that it would be good to help out at the centre for a while. The local people had come to rely on it, and word had spread, bringing others who were walking as far as five miles to get a hot meal. Poor devils! And there seemed no end to the depression.

Louise Stannard was already in the kitchen when Jenny arrived. She smiled. ‘You’re up early.’

‘Habit, I’m afraid. I wondered if there was anything I could do to help here.’

‘That would be most welcome. There’s a sack of potatoes for peeling.’

Jenny removed her coat and set to work. ‘Ron and Jimmy told me that some men and women are walking miles to get here.’