‘And so they should.’ Bridget had always thought Mr Crouch worked harder than any of them. ‘You know this market like the back of your hand, and you know the folks who work here. Who else has that kind of knowledge? Certainly not the men who sit inside plush council offices, nor the inspector who walks round once a month to see the cobbles are kept clean and swept.’

‘You’re absolutely right.’ His small beady eyes peered into hers. ‘So, my dear, what business have you come on this morning?’

‘I want you to put my name down for one of those shops,’ Bridget told him straight out. And before he could get his breath, she went on, ‘I think I have a bigger turnover than anyone here, and I always keep my part of the market cleaned and swept – the inspector will tell you so. I sell quality goods, and I’ve built up a sizeable core of loyal customers.’

‘The rents will be far higher than with a stall, you do realise that?’

‘I would be surprised if they weren’t.’

‘The outdoor market will remain functional, so it’s likely that if you get a shop, you’ll lose your stall to someone else.’

‘I understand that.’

‘I can only put your name down. At this stage I’m not prepared to recommend anybody. We’ll have to wait and see.’

‘I understand that too.’

He looked at her with a hint of a smile on his face. ‘I must admit you’ve done wonders since Joe put you in charge. And you’ve got an eye to the future, I can see that, my dear. To tell the truth, I already had you in mind for one of the shops, only I didn’t know if you’d be interested.’

Thrilled, Bridget leaped up. ‘Oh, Mr Crouch, that’s wonderful! I’ve come a long way since Joe gave me my first chance, and I know he’s never regretted it. He makes more money and I do most of the worrying. A proper shop, though, that’s what I’ve always dreamed of.’

‘So, you’ve proved yourself to Joe, and now you want me to give you your second chance, is that it?’

‘I know Joe will back me all the way.’

‘He’d be a bloody fool not to back you.’

‘What are my chances then?’

‘Nothing is decided,’ he warned. ‘You must remember that.’

‘All the same…’

‘What’s been said here is between you and me, and nobody else.’

‘You can trust me.’

‘I’ll do my best, that’s all I can promise.’

‘I know you will, and thank you, Mr Crouch. You’re an honest man, and since taking over the running of the stall, I’ve come to realise there are very few honest men in business.’

‘Ah, well now, the trick is to learn which men are honest and which are not. Off you go then, my dear. Get back to your work, and earn Joe a small fortune.’

As she neared her stall, Bridget caught sight of a man talking to Ruthie; tall and rugged, with broad shoulders and a certain authority, she quickly recognised him as Harry Little. ‘Good God! What’s he doing here?’ The nearer she got, the more her stomach turned somersaults.