‘You must ask him that. I intend to demand an explanation when I see him!’ Not giving him the chance to ask more questions, Jenny pushed past him and waited at the counter for her money.

John joined her and counted out the money himself. She put it in her purse, thanked him politely and left.

On arriving home, not being able to sit still, she began to pack her battered old suitcase with her few belongings. She needed to get away, give herself time and space to think clearly. She had fallen headlong in love with Matt, believing he was perfect. That had been foolish; everyone had their faults, including her. She knew she was acting rashly, but it hurt so much.

‘What are you doing, Jen?’ Ivy was standing in the doorway, watching her.

‘I’m leaving for America tomorrow. I’m going to Southampton and I’ll get the first ship going to New York.’ She continued to stuff things into her case.

‘Tell me what’s happened,’ Ivy pleaded. ‘You were so happy this morning and never said a word about going away.’

Jenny stopped what she was doing and gulped, looking at Ivy with tortured eyes. Finally the tears came, in great wrenching sobs.

‘Oh, no.’ Ivy put her arm around Jenny. ‘Don’t leave like this. Whatever’s wrong, we can sort it out between us.’

‘I can’t stay – I just can’t!’ She sobbed on Ivy’s shoulder. ‘I love him so much.’

‘What’s going on?’ Glad came in, carrying little Bert.

‘I’m so glad you’re here, Mum.’ Ivy made Jenny sit on the bed, and then went to her mother, whispering urgently.

Jenny didn’t care what they were saying; she was so unhappy and tired. She stretched out on the bed and was instantly asleep.

‘I wanna see Matt. It’s urgent like.’

On hearing Fred’s voice, Matt stood up so suddenly he hit his head on the open bonnet of the car he was working on. ‘Ouch!’ Wiping the grease from his hands, he went over to Fred, worried about the grim expression on his face. ‘What’s happened, Fred?’

‘We don’t rightly know.’ He glared at Matt. ‘Our Jen’s breaking her heart and it seems to be about you. If you’ve hurt her, I’m gonna break your bloody neck!’

‘I haven’t done anything to upset her.’

‘Then why’s she going to America tomorrow?’

‘What! She can’t do that.’ Matt couldn’t understand this. They had been getting on so well and even declared their love for each other. Now he was really alarmed.

‘Don’t you say what she can or can’t do!’ Fred was shouting now. ‘She’s got her case packed already.’