‘Oh,’ said Ruby. This wasn’t what anybody else she knew had ever said about Alfie, but she realised it would be foolish to point this out to his mother.

‘He works so hard, practically wearing himself out,’ Vera continued, her voice high and whiny. ‘It’s no wonder he’s been taken so poorly.’

Ruby nodded, wishing she would just take her tins and go.

‘Of course some folks round here have it easy, swanning around,’ Vera complained. Just at that moment there was a movement outside and the speeding figure of Tommy on his bike whizzed past the shop window. Vera puffed in annoyance. ‘Those Callaghans, for a start.’

Ruby shook her head, knowing full well how hard they all worked and the hours they put in week in week out.

‘That Kitty is no better than she should be,’ Vera said viciously, ‘and as for that Danny, my Alfie said he let him down. Then he goes and gets that cushy job in an office.’

Ruby wasn’t sure what to say to that. What did she mean about Kitty? That didn’t make sense. If she was no better than she should be, wasn’t that a good thing, not bad? She decided to stick strictly to the facts. ‘Danny’s not here now, he’s away on a course,’ she said.

‘Is he, now? Probably smarmed his way on to that an’ all.’ Vera gave her an exasperated look. ‘Winnie was right about you – you haven’t an ounce of sense in you. Come on, give me those tins and I’ll be off.’

‘You have to pay,’ Ruby pointed out.

‘I know that, you stupid girl.’ Vera threw her coins down angrily on the counter, just as Rita appeared from the stock room.

‘Anything else I can help you with, Mrs Delaney?’ she asked sweetly, shrugging out of her thick nurse’s cloak, as she had come straight from her shift at the hospital.

Vera glared at her, took her shopping, and swept out without a word, slamming the shop door.

Ruby looked at Rita with concern. ‘She’s not a very nice lady,’ she said, her voice trembling a little.

‘No, she isn’t,’ said Rita. ‘Don’t you mind what she says. You get off and make yourself beautiful – you’re seeing Reggie later, aren’t you?’

At once Ruby’s face transformed. ‘He’s taking me to the pictures. I’m so excited. It’s Bell-Bottom George, because he knows I love George Formby. Then we’ll get fish and chips.’

Rita beamed, delighted that this new friendship was growing stronger and stronger. Ruby had been through so much – she surely deserved a good man like Reggie James. He seemed genuinely fond of her and had been around several times since New Year to continue the chess lessons, and, if Rita wasn’t much mistaken, to gently pay court to Ruby.