Nancy’s expression changed to one of worry. ‘His chest is bad again. I didn’t like to take him to the Parkers’ in case he gave it to them, so I’ve left him in with Misery Guts. In fact I’d best be off.’ She pulled a face. ‘I know she can’t do much to harm him now he’s that bit older, but I still don’t trust her an inch. She’ll probably be telling him how unlucky he is to have such a bad mother.’

‘Now don’t take on so. I’m sure she isn’t,’ said Dolly, always suspicious that Nancy denigrated Sid’s mother’s method of babysitting so she could bring Georgie round to her more often.

‘Well, I’m not going to risk it,’ Nancy said, picking up her white handbag, which looked too small to hold anything useful. ‘You sort through those things, Violet, and keep what you like. Actually, Rita, you might find something to suit Ellen in there as well. You might as well take anything that fits, I know they grow like mad at that stage.’ She glanced fondly at her niece, asleep in the Moses basket that Rita had carried her over in. ‘There should be some romper suits for a six month old in the pile somewhere.’

She gave a little wave and flounced out.

‘What’s got into her?’ Rita wondered out loud, but she wasn’t going to look a gift horse in the mouth. Nancy had never offered before, and Rita had resorted to hunting around for anything that Megan might have grown out of all those years ago. ‘Oh, now, look at this. Didn’t Georgie wear it for his first birthday? I might take that and put it to one side for when she’s big enough.’ She carefully set the brick-red chunky cardigan on the edge of the Moses basket. ‘And this little siren suit. Let’s hope we don’t have to use it down the shelters again.’

‘Amen to that,’ said Dolly at once. ‘It’s very kind of Nancy, but don’t you have to see to the shop? Have you got the time to go through the whole bag? It can always stay here, Rita, and you check the rest when you have the time.’

Rita dropped another small cardigan in soft cream on top of the other two baby garments. ‘We’re grand, Mam. Ruby’s taking care of it all.’

‘Is she now?’ Dolly looked concerned.

‘Yes, she’s making a very thorough check of a big delivery of tomatoes,’ Violet told her solemnly.