‘I don’t want to.’ His boss ran a hand through his hair, making it stand up on end. ‘I’ve got a bloody good workforce here and don’t want to lose even one of you, but I don’t see what else I can do. I’m afraid that as the last in, you’ll have to be the first to go. I know how disappointed you’re going to be. Young Jim’s already leaving to join the army.’

‘We’re the two lowest paid, so will you be able to survive if you don’t have to pay us each week?’ Jake was a decent man, and Matt could see how painful this was for him.

‘God knows!’ Jake sat down heavily. ‘I might have to get rid of Harry as well.’

‘Don’t do that.’ Matt spoke quietly – this office was of a very flimsy construction and he didn’t want anyone else to hear their conversation. He’d always been able to discuss things with Jake, who chatted to him quite naturally, although he was only his apprentice. ‘Let me help, Jake. I’ll continue my apprenticeship without pay and invest in the business. Once you’re back on your feet again you can pay me back. You’ve got a first-class reputation and things will pick up again.’

Jake was studying him intently. ‘That’s more than generous of you, Matt, but you might lose your money.’

‘Not a chance,’ he stated confidently. ‘Let’s try to save the business and the jobs. No one need know about my involvement.’

‘I know you come from a banking family, but we need to talk this through. My own bank has refused me a further loan, and once you have all the details you might not think it such a good investment.’ He gazed out at the shop floor again. ‘But we can’t do it here; we’re already causing a lot of interest.’

‘I expect they think you’re sacking me,’ Matt said, grinning. Jake’s eyes now held a gleam of hope.

‘No doubt.’ His boss snorted in amusement. ‘You’d better go out there and put their minds at rest – at least for another day. They know you’d be the first out, and then perhaps some of them. It’s a damned worrying time for everyone. Once they’ve all gone home, we’ll thrash out some kind of deal. But there’s no way you’re going to work for nothing!’

‘Right.’ Matt left the office whistling to himself, and began to give a car that had just been serviced an extra polish.

‘Have you still got a job?’ Harry stood beside him, very worried.

‘Yes, things are tough, but this is a sound business.’ He stood back to admire the shine on the bonnet, and then tossed the duster to Harry. ‘Jake will survive until things pick up again.’