‘Ha! We beat you to it, Kath. I tell you, if ever you close this place, you should get a job as a doorman – you’d enjoy that. Then you could open and close doors to your heart’s content.’

‘None of your cheek, Jeannie, or I won’t be serving you any of the scones that are just about to come out of the oven; and you like them while they’re still hot.’

Jeannie laughed. ‘If you don’t serve me, who are you going to serve? You’re not exactly rushed off your feet, Kath.’

‘Don’t remind me. This weather’s keeping everyone inside. I’m glad to see the three of you. Sit down and I’ll bring your usual.’

‘Phew, Jeannie, I thought for a mo that you’d cooked your goose with Kath. I’ve known her to throw people out who’ve riled her.’

‘Not if they eat like me, she wouldn’t. I’m her best customer.’

Rosie smiled at this. She loved the happy-go-lucky attitude of Jeannie. A plump girl, due to her eating habits, she had a pretty face that always seemed sunny, as she smiled all the time. She had lovely even, white teeth and full lips. Her hair, though, was her crowning glory: thick and very dark, it shone with many natural highlights – copper colours. She wore it wound into a bun while working, but when she released it and her hair fell around her face and hung down her back, it was beautiful.

Freda was the exact opposite. Tall and very slim, almost skinny really, she was fair-haired, and wore her hair cut short and curled under at the bottom – a style made popular by the lovely Queen Elizabeth.

‘Right, we’re here to get you out of the doldrums, Rosie. So start by telling us what’s bothering you, eh?’

‘Oh, Jeannie, you knaw it’s me brother and me sisters. I told you they’re stationed right where the Japs are closing in. I’m terrified sommat’ll happen to any of them.’

Neither Jeannie nor Freda spoke for a minute, but then what comfort could they offer? Facts were facts, and what was being revealed about the Japanese methods of war, and their disregard for the conventions, was terrifying.

‘All we can do is pray for them, Rosie, and I will, love.’

‘Ta, Jeannie.’

‘And I will, love. But although that’s a terrible burden, you’ve other things on your mind, haven’t you?’

‘Aye, I have. But, well . . . it don’t do to talk about it.’

‘Look, we all know what it is; and you’re right, it ain’t a good idea to talk about it. But even so, I want you to know that I don’t condemn you, but would warn you not to do anything about how you feel until the war’s over and attitudes have changed a bit.’