‘Very little, I’m beginning to find out.’ Jenny pulled a face, knowing how ill prepared the girls at the school were for the real world. But most of them were so wealthy they wouldn’t have to step outside of their cosy lives.

‘You’re a bright-enough kid, so you’ll soon learn. I’ve got a good recipe you can follow.’ Ma took a torn and greasy sheet of paper out of a nearby cupboard and gave it to Jenny. ‘Simple, that recipe, you can’t go wrong.’ She turned painfully and looked over her shoulder. ‘Put the kettle on, ducky, I’m gasping for a cuppa. Did you get any biscuits?’

‘Only broken ones. They were cheaper.’

‘That’ll do fine. I likes a bicky to dunk in my tea.’ She tapped her way back to the other room, muttering under her breath, ‘The kid might be posh, but she’s got a bit of sense.’

Jenny took that as a compliment and set about making the tea.

After enjoying the tea and biscuits, Jenny gave the house a thorough clean. The elderly woman had obviously done her best, but there was a lot she couldn’t manage now.

‘My, the place looks spick and span. I can see you’re no stranger to a bit of spit and polish.’

‘I was under housemaid and did this kind of thing every day,’ Jenny said.

‘Humph. You finished now?’ Ma gazed through the open front door.

‘Unless there’s something else you’d like me to do.’

Ma put on a forlorn expression. ‘My step’s a right eyesore.’

‘I’ll soon put that right.’ Jenny stood up and smiled, not a bit fooled by the elderly woman’s acting. ‘You’ll have a step to be proud of, Ma. Then I’ll get our dinner.’

The step was gleaming when Ivy arrived; she hopped over it so she didn’t make it dirty again. ‘Crikey, Ma,’ she exclaimed, ‘that’s the best step in the whole street.’

‘Not bad, eh?’ She was fairly bursting with pride. ‘Me and Jen’s going to get along just fine.’

Ivy winked at Jenny. ‘I’ve got you a job with me. Be ready at half past five in the morning and I’ll show you the ropes.’

‘Oh, Ivy, thank you so much!’ Jenny was overjoyed and hugged her in gratitude. It looked as if things were going to be all right after all.

Full of hope and confidence, Jenny set about making the cake, following the instructions in the recipe with great care. She beat the margarine and sugar until fluffy, added the eggs and flour, greased a tin and poured the mixture in. When the oven was hot enough, the cake was put on the top shelf and Jenny stood back with a smile of satisfaction. That was easy.