As her husband quickly explained the reason for Rose’s presence, Ruth Preston ushered Rose into their front room where a bright fire was burning in the blackleaded fireplace. ‘Warm yourself, lass,’ she said kindly, before turning to her husband and adding, ‘Mrs O’Leary will make a go of the bakery if anyone can. Remember that cherry shortbread you liked so much at Christmas? That was hers. I’ll go and make a cup of tea while you discuss details,’ and so saying she beamed at Rose before leaving and shutting the door behind her.

Albert’s voice was wry when he said, ‘Well, it looks like you’ve got yourself a bakery, lass, if you want it, but you ought to come and see the shop and the living accommodation too before you decide. The rent’s monthly and I was charging Stan Cunningham a pound. That all right with you?’

‘That’s fine,’ said Rose eagerly. ‘When can I see it, Mr Preston?’ It was cheaper than she had expected considering their living accommodation was included.

He smiled. ‘You’re keen, lass. I’ll say that for you. Now ordinarily I’d say in the morning but with it being New Year’s Day an’ all, and considering we’ve got a bit of a do going on here tonight and I might well be nursing something of a thick head, shall we say tomorrow afternoon about two o’clock? How does that suit?’

‘That’s wonderful.’

‘I’ll meet you there then,’ he said, just as his wife came in with a tray of tea and biscuits.

Half an hour later Rose was walking back towards Amy and Frank’s house, where she had left Betsy. Her mind was buzzing. This was going to work, she knew it was. It had come just at the right time and although she wouldn’t have wished poor Mr Cunningham to die like that, a bakery becoming available was nothing short of a miracle. Mr Preston had explained that the contents of the shop and the furniture in the flat upstairs had all been bought by Mr Cunningham and so his nearest relative, a sister, would inherit them, but he was sure the sister would be quite happy for her to make a reasonable offer. She wouldn’t want the contents of the flat – she had her own furniture – but to be able to buy the bakery paraphernalia lock, stock and barrel would be marvellous.