‘You’ve gone quiet,’ Mal had said. ‘What happened to that smile, eh?’

‘Just been thinking.’

‘What about?’

‘Tomorrow. Have to find another job now, don’t I?’

He’d turned his head to frown at her. ‘And here’s me thinking that I’d taught you something.’ The car had slowed down, coming to a standstill on the muddy apron of the road. They’d sat there for a moment with the engine idling and traffic smudging past Mal’s head. He’d gazed out of the rainy windscreen, saying, ‘Now or never, Joy. It’s either you go back to living like the ordinary folk, standing at a counter till your feet are sore and saving up your pennies for a pretty dress from Kay’s at Christmas time. Or else –’ He’d put his hand upon her shoulder. ‘Or else, you’ll follow my advice and sod the lot of ’em. Look at me, I’m serious. I’ve never had a debt I couldn’t settle in my life. There’s money to be made a thousand times a day, as long as you’ve got eyes for it, and I don’t mind partaking – you know what I’m saying. Like you stole those pearls and pawned them when you needed to. That’s called being sharper than the rest, if you ask me. No matter what they try and drum into your head at school about what’s wrong and right. I learned that quick in Borneo: look after number one, ’cause no one else is going to do it, and regrets go with you to the grave. That’s why, in the morning, all you’ve got to do is have a long lie-in and listen to the wireless. Malcolm’s orders.’

She’d allowed his hand to travel to her forearm. ‘Oh yeah?’ she’d said, giving him the smile that he’d been wanting. ‘Then what? You’ll probably meet some lady and get married, and it’s goodbye, Joyce, good luck.’

He’d scrunched his face up. ‘Christ almighty, I’ve no interest in all that. Were you not listening?’

‘No, I was, but I don’t think I’ve got a choice. I’m not like you.’

‘Of course you are. You wouldn’t be here if you weren’t.’

She’d wanted to object, but didn’t know how best to word it.

‘Listen, I’ve got something going, if you’re interested,’ he’d said. ‘It’ll only take an hour, but it’ll pay you well. And you’re the perfect woman for the job.’

‘I don’t know, Mal. I’ll just get the paper, have a look what’s doing. Must be something out there.’

‘Trust me, it’s the easiest few quid you’ll ever make with all your clothes on.’ He’d put the Morris into gear and edged them back on to the road. ‘Where d’you want to be dropped off? I’ve got to get this car to someone in an hour or two.’

That was how it had begun. The speech he’d made had weakened her and then he’d kept on chiselling away. On the kerb outside her boarding house, he’d peered up at the building from the driver’s seat and said, ‘Well, this won’t do you in the long run, will it? No, you’re going to need a little flat to call your own. I know some people. Leave it with me.’