Eddie held her hands and gazed deep into her eyes. ‘Look, if we’re gonna get wed, you’ve got to get your priorities right. I mean what’s more important, a poxy job in a shoe shop, or us and our baby’s future? Marriage is all about give and take, Jess, and if you can’t do this one little thing for me, then maybe you’re not ready for such a big commitment.’

Jessica bit her lip. She had just found the man of her dreams and she couldn’t lose him over something so trivial. She squeezed his hand.

‘You’re so right, Ed. I mean, I’d have to give it up in a few months anyway, so I might as well do it now. I’ll ring them first thing tomorrow, to tell them that I’m leaving.’

Eddie smiled. ‘That’s my girl. You know it makes sense.’

Joyce and Stanley were watching a late-night film when Jessica arrived home. ‘Did you have a nice evening? How did Eddie react to the news?’ Joyce asked excitedly.

‘Oh, Ed was thrilled. He said we can have as many babies as I want,’ Jess said happily. ‘And I’m giving my job up. I’m gonna ring the shop tomorrow to tell them I won’t be coming back.’

Stanley looked at his daughter in astonishment. ‘You can’t give up your job. I thought you liked working in the shoe shop.’

Jessica shrugged. ‘Eddie said that I don’t need to work any more. He said he’ll look after me and the baby from now on.’

Aware that her dad was anything but happy, Jessica looked away from him. ‘I’ll make us all a nice cup of tea,’ she said, as she swiftly left the room.

Stanley glared at Joyce. ‘She loves that bloody job. That bastard’s trying to manipulate her already. It ain’t right, Joycie. Next thing you know, he’ll have her shut in a fucking cupboard. These villains have different principles to the likes of me and you. They keep their women under lock and key, and we’ve got to put a stop to it before it’s too late.’

Joyce threw her husband a look of contempt. ‘Don’t you dare spoil our daughter’s happiness. If Eddie wants to support Jess, then good for her. I wish I hadn’t had to work when I was pregnant. Do you know how hard it was for me, dragging myself to that bloody office every day? I had no choice, we couldn’t survive on your measly wages. You leave our Jess alone and keep your idiotic opinions to yourself, Stanley. Unlike me, she’s found a rich man, a good ’un.’

About to answer his wife back, Stanley was stopped from doing so by Jessica’s reappearance. ‘Thanks, love,’ he said, as she handed him his cuppa.