‘Oh, that.’ She joined in the laughter. ‘I don’t need that now. The people I’m with know all about me, and Ma loves me to read to her in my “posh voice”, as she calls it.’

‘How did you come to know them?’ Edna asked.

Jenny told her about Fred and Glad, and her visit to the pawnbroker’s. By the time she’d finished, Edna was almost crying with laughter.

‘How I wish I’d been there.’ Edna mopped her eyes. ‘That took some courage.’

‘Not really. It was desperation,’ Jenny admitted. ‘Fred and Glad gave me their address and said I could go to them if I needed help any time. They’d met me only once, but I had nowhere else to go. They’ve been very kind, Edna. I was terrified I’d have to go home or spend the night in the open, but they took me in without question. I’m grateful and do all I can for them. Unemployment’s getting bad, and I was lucky even to get a job scrubbing floors.’

‘They sound like good old Londoners. Live in Lambeth, do they?’

Jenny had nodded before she realized that her friend had slipped that crafty question in. ‘Did you ever tell the Stannards I might be in Lambeth?’

‘Yes.’ Edna reached across and patted her hand. ‘Do you remember when you first started work at the house and I asked you where you came from?’

‘I said the first thing that came into my mind: Lambeth.’

‘That’s right. You said you’d been to school in Lambeth.’ Edna grinned again. ‘What a whopper that was, Jen. It was the only place you’d mentioned, and when I saw how worried the mistress was, I told them. I didn’t see no harm in it because I didn’t believe you anyway. Neither did they, but the sons, Luke and Matthew, have been scouring the borough for you.’

‘I know.’

‘What?’ Edna sat upright, her eyes wide open. ‘Did they find you?’

‘Nearly, but everyone in the street told them they didn’t know me. Don’t tell the brothers, though. I don’t want to be found yet.’

‘You needn’t be afraid of them,’ Edna said kindly. ‘I’m sure they only want to help. They would probably help you get another place – not as an under housemaid, of course.’

‘No!’ She gave a firm shake of her head. ‘I couldn’t leave Ma. She needs me.’

‘I understand, but please let me tell them I’ve seen you and you’re all right. I’m sure they’ll be relieved to know that.’

‘All right,’ she agreed. ‘But don’t tell them anything else.’

‘I promise.’ Edna then poured the last of the tea from the pot, giving them another half a cup each, talking all the time about the things she’d done since they last met.