‘She doesn’t care,’ said Roz simply. ‘She never liked me much before, but after that business with my necklace she’s been more determined than ever to get me out, and this is the best chance she’s got.’ She handed her toast to Mabel for her to butter.

‘Now we’re at war, you might be able to leave the Haggartys and find work in one of the factories,’ suggested Mabel. ‘I’d certainly give it a go if I didn’t already have a job.’

‘Thanks,’ said Roz, as Mabel handed her back the slice of buttered toast, ‘but do you really think they’ll want to hire someone with a German accent to make their bombs?’

Looking slightly embarrassed, Mabel giggled. ‘When you put it like that, maybe not, which is silly because you’d do anything to get rid of Hitler.’

‘I know,’ said Roz, speaking thickly through a mouthful of toast, ‘but others might not see it that way, and I don’t blame them.’

‘Well, at least the folk down the market and around here know better,’ said Mabel, licking her fingers free of butter and toast crumbs.

Roz got to her feet and rinsed her fingers in the sink. ‘I wouldn’t bet on it,’ she said. ‘Back home, in Frankfurt, friends and neighbours that we’d known all our lives turned their backs on us. If they can do it, so can the folk round here.’

‘I’d like to think not,’ said Mabel. ‘Come on, let’s go and see Felix.’

Roz followed Mabel out of the court and together the girls walked towards the Scottie. ‘I wonder if he’s heard,’ mused Roz.

‘Oh, he’ll know alright, because this is going to affect everything, especially the dockers and carters. The shipping routes will have to change, and not only that, but they’ll want the men to go and fight,’ Mabel said knowledgeably.

Roz gasped. ‘Not Felix!’

Mabel waved back at a couple walking down the opposite side of the road. ‘I shouldn’t think so, he’s too young. They’ll want the men to fight, not boys.’

Roz frowned in annoyance. ‘He’s not a boy!’

Mabel waved her hands in a placating manner. ‘I meant he’s not old enough. They’ll want men who are old enough to join up, and Felix isn’t eighteen yet.’

Roz quickly apologised for her outburst. ‘Sorry. I suppose I’m a little tetchy because I’m worried about him.’

Mabel gave a nonchalant shrug. ‘Don’t worry, it’s a hard time for all of us. Mam’s worried the men in our family might get called up, but that won’t happen ’cos they’re all in reserved occupations, thank God.’ She eyed Roz. ‘If it’s any consolation, I don’t think they’ll send Felix off to war whether he’s old enough or not, because of his accent.’