‘That’s weally kind,’ said Nora. She held it up. ‘It’s the best Chwistmas pwesent I’ve ever had. Can I dwess up in it tonight?’

‘Yes, it’s yours now, Nora. You’ve earned it,’ and she gave Nora a hug.

When Nora repacked the suitcase and walked back into the hall, Doris stared after her with tears in her eyes. It was a symbolic moment, for Doris knew her days as a leading lady were over.

At 7 School View Ruby heard a knock on the door. She stopped feeding Andy and went to see who it was. She was met by a familiar face: it was Barry the Brush.

Barry was born and bred in Cardiff and had lost a leg in the Second World War. Somehow he had finished up in North Yorkshire. A popular, gregarious figure, he would travel around the local villages and come door to door every fortnight with his lilting Welsh accent and a suitcase of assorted brushes.

Ruby could ill afford any extra demands on her meagre housekeeping, but always took pity on the polite young man with one leg. While he was drinking a mug of sweet tea in the kitchen, she stared at a garish hairbrush that she couldn’t afford and a practical toilet brush that she could barely afford. Common sense prevailed – at least Ruby’s version – and she bought the toilet brush for a few meagre coppers and sent him on his way. She was a good-hearted lady.

Ronnie Smith came into the kitchen and sat down. A familiar cigarette was hanging from his bottom lip and he gave Ruby a bleary-eyed smile. ‘Ah jus’ need a few bob t’tide me over ’til tomorrow, Ruby luv.’

Ruby picked up her purse nervously and looked inside. ‘Ah’ve not much, Ronnie, jus’ what Mrs ’Igginbottom gave me f’cleanin’.’

‘That’ll do, luv,’ said Ronnie, holding out his hand.

Ruby gave him a shilling. ‘That’s not enough,’ said Ronnie. ‘Ah need ’alf a crown.’

‘Thing is, Ronnie, we need soap powder so ah can wash our Andy’s nappies.’

Ronnie gave her a furtive glance. ‘Y’know what crossed m’mind this mornin’?’

Ruby was suddenly curious. ‘What’s that?’

‘Ah were thinkin’ ah’ll tek you t’London one day.’

Ruby’s eyes lit up. ‘That’s where t’Queen Elizabeth lives in ’er palace, Ronnie, an’ all t’posh people buy nice things in Hoxford Street. Ah saw ’em in a magazine when ah were ’avin’ m’ ’air done.’

‘’Xactly, Ruby, y’spot on there. Y’deserve a treat.’ He paused. The moment was right. ‘So, can ah ’ave that ’alf crown then, my luv, jus’ ’til Friday?’

As Ruby handed over the precious coin, Ronnie never mentioned which Friday that might be.

Lily had spent the remainder of the afternoon with Vera at the vicarage until it was time to return to the village hall for the pantomime.