Jenny hummed a tune as she practically danced up Forest Road. Since Christmas she had gone out with Matt at least twice a week, and had Sunday lunch with his family now and again. And last night he had told her that he loved her! She loved him too and was bursting with happiness.

‘So this is where you’ve been hiding yourself. What a disgusting place!’

Jenny stopped in mid stride and looked into the scornful eyes of Gloria Tremain. What on earth was she doing here?

‘No wonder Matthew laughs about the hovel you live in. He’s told me so much about it, I thought I’d better see for myself. What a laugh we had about the evening he took you to the Monseigneur and you went into raptures about that singer, Al Bowlly.’

Jenny was stunned. What was Matt doing talking to Gloria about her? He couldn’t stand the girl.

‘You poor fool,’ Gloria sneered. ‘Couldn’t you see he was only amusing himself with you? He’s going to marry me – and soon.’ She pulled her coat open. ‘See, I’m pregnant and Matthew is the father.’

Jenny stared at the slight bulge in Gloria’s stomach and felt all the air leave her lungs. She tried to breathe, only managing to take in small gulps of air. The hated girl’s harsh laugh cut through her confusion, and she stood straight, head up. ‘You’re lying!’

‘Do you really think Matthew would be satisfied with you? He’s a passionate man and needs a real woman.’

Jenny couldn’t ever remember hurting like this. The pain was almost making her cry out. But she wouldn’t give Gloria that satisfaction!

‘I know he’s been playing around with you, but, knowing we were going to be married soon, I let him have his fun.’

Fun!

‘But that’s all over now. Go back to your slum friends and leave him alone.’ Then, with a look of triumph on her face, she walked to her car, which was parked on the other side of the road.

As Gloria drove away, Jenny couldn’t move. She had lost all control over her legs. In a few short minutes she had plunged from joy to despair. Matthew – the love of her life – had deceived her. Gloria had been far too confident for it not to be true, and he must have told her about their date at the restaurant. She also remembered Gloria calling him ‘darling’ at the Stannards’ party. She hadn’t thought anything of it at the time, but now …

Somehow she must have turned round and gone back home, because she found herself standing in the front room, staring down at Ma’s chair. She collapsed on to it and wrapped her arms around herself, too shocked to cry.