She wanted so much for James to turn up for his father’s birthday. Edith would stop being so peevish for a few days and, with luck, there would be the chance of a drive out ‘to the seaside’. Gina was keen to get rid of the stolen items she’d received in the parcels as quickly as possible. James always cleared it with his mother when he took Gina out; he remained Edith’s darling boy and, though Gina didn’t know exactly what was said, she got the impression James could wind his mother around his little finger when it suited him. Gina was careful never to speak affectionately of James to Mrs Stellion, in fact never to speak of James at all, so there was no danger of any questions being asked.

And then there was the pleasure of James’s company. She thought of how he liked to drive the little car so fast, sometimes with the roof down, even in winter, his fair hair blowing untidily – oh, but so boyishly – in the wind, a rather flash pair of sunglasses on his nose … his handsome profile …

Coco was snuffling and woofing around her feet, eager to get on with the walk.

‘All right, you little beggar,’ she said affectionately. ‘I haven’t forgotten you. Come on …’

It was a Wednesday afternoon and Ellen and Sally were free to go to see Mr Shepherd in Great Grindle. They knew their elderly friend also looked forward to these visits and they tried to go as often as their limited free time would allow.

‘Come in, Nell, love,’ said Mrs Mason as Sally opened the door to their cottage to admit her. As ever, the place was chaotic with noisy infants. ‘David, Frankie, shut up and say hello nicely to Nell, like the little gentlemen you are.’

‘Lo, lo, lo,’ shouted David, or was it Frank? Ellen didn’t know; the twins were identical and always dressed the same too.

‘It saves having to think about the unimportant things,’ Sally’s mother had once explained. ‘All the clothes are blue, all fit both boys, and if I see owt they need I buy six of it, ’cos you can bet your life it’ll be covered in summat unmentionable within an hour of being put on. They can choose what to wear themselves when they’re buying their own things. If they grow fast enough they can share with Polly, too. That’ll save a bit more messing about in a morning.’

Ellen had looked at Polly, wearing a pink gingham frock at the time, and burst out laughing.

Today Polly was wearing blue rompers, so Ellen thought Audrey Mason was planning ahead.

‘How’s your mum, Nell? I haven’t seen her for a week or so. Polly, pipe down a bit, love, will you? I can hardly hear myself think.’