Once downstairs she handed the money to Hugh, who took it without a word of thanks and stuffed it into his trouser pocket. He then drained his glass and told her, ‘Right, I’d best be off to settle up with my landlady then.’

‘What? You’re going so soon?’ Disappointment coursed through her. She’d been hoping they might spend a little time getting to know each other before George got home, but then she supposed if Hugh’s landlady was harassing him it was best to go and pay his dues. ‘Will you come again soon?’ she asked hopefully and he nodded.

‘You can rely on it. Thanks for this – and bye for now.’ He then sauntered away whistling merrily and she watched him go, feeling strangely deflated.

When George came in sometime later he found her in a sombre mood and asked, ‘What’s up, pet? You look like you’ve lost a bob an’ found a tanner.’

Slowly she told him about Hugh’s visit. The couple had never had any secrets from each other and she didn’t intend to start now.

‘And so I gave him the ten pounds,’ she finished lamely.

George frowned, not at all happy about what he had heard. In truth, he hadn’t taken to Hugh at all, be he Cissie’s son or not, and he certainly didn’t believe the yarn the fellow had spun to them about his parents not being good to him. The Tates had seemed like kind, genuine people – whereas there was something about Hugh that raised his hackles. Even so, he could understand the dilemma Cissie was in so he told her, ‘Of course you wanted to help him. But don’t forget he is a grown man and he should be responsible for himself now.’

‘I understand that, but I couldn’t see him thrown out onto the streets, could I?’

‘Well, he could always have gone back to the Tates’,’ George pointed out. ‘It came across to me that they still loved him, and I’m sure they wouldn’t have turned him away even if he has led them a merry dance.’

‘We only have their word for that,’ Cissie answered defensively and George wisely changed the subject. He would let it go this once, but should Hugh come with his begging bowl again George decided he would take him to one side and have a quiet word in his ear. There was no way he was going to stand by and see Cissie being taken advantage of – and from where he was standing, that was exactly what Hugh had done!

In London, Kitty was also feeling the strain. For the first time that week she had a free evening, or at least an evening free from performing at a music hall. Maggie had planned for them to have a restful time staying in together, but Kitty scuppered those plans when she told her after dinner, ‘Actually, I’m going to Richard’s. He has some friends he’d like me to meet.’