The girls placed their issue boots next to Gethin’s and stepped into the house itself, noting as they did so, the immediate aroma of what smelt like some sort of pie with gravy. Gethin’s parents, a middle-aged couple, sat either side of a long wooden table which stood in the middle of the kitchen. Looking around, Roz decided she very much liked what she saw. There was an enormous Aga set into the chimney breast, above which hung a pulley airer, laden with clothes. On the opposite side of the room there stood a large Welsh dresser, displaying a beautiful dinner set of white plates bordered with the tiniest blue flowers. As there didn’t appear to be a single chip or crack on them, Roz assumed they were probably only used for special occasions.

She looked at Mabel, who was staring, open-mouthed, in complete wonder at her new surroundings. Gethin’s father stood up, removed his pipe from the corner of his mouth and smiled warmly at the girls. He cast a shrewd eye over each of them before guessing who was who, indicating each girl with the stem of his pipe.

‘Roz and you must be Mabel, am I right?’

They both nodded and Gethin introduced his parents, Howell and Heulwyn.

Heulwyn got up and invited the girls to sit down at the table whilst she made them a cup of tea.

‘You’ve come a long way and I should think you’re fair parched, not to mention starving hungry. Have you had anything to eat?’ Heulwyn asked, a concerned look etching her otherwise cheery complexion.

‘Spam sarnies on the bus down,’ said Mabel, pulling a disgruntled face, ‘but I wouldn’t call that food.’

‘Me neither!’ Heulwyn bustled over to the dresser, opened one of the cupboards and took out two plates, which were obviously for everyday use. ‘I’ve a shepherd’s pie in the oven. It should be just about ready.’

Roz’s mouth began to water at the very mention of pie, although truth be known she didn’t have a clue what shepherd’s pie was, and admitted as much to her hosts, who laughingly reassured her that it wasn’t made of actual shepherds, but was in fact a lamb and vegetable stew – sounding a bit like scouse to Roz – with a mashed potato topping.

Heulwyn dished out the hearty food onto five plates and Gethin handed them round, whilst Heulwyn told Roz and Mabel where they could find the cutlery. ‘If you’re going to be staying with us, you need to know where everything is,’ she said reasonably. ‘Start as you mean to go on, is what I always say, and this is your home whilst you’re with us.’

Roz glanced at Mabel, and her expression said it all. Why couldn’t a family like the Davieses have taken her in rather than the Haggartys?