Violet thought it through. She loved gardening and the satisfaction of producing nourishing food from seed. She also loved dealing with people. Working in the shop made her happy and allowed her to be only a stone’s throw from the twins. Yet long-term it might not be as good for them all. The shop now belonged to Rita and Ruby between them – Winnie and Charlie must be turning in their graves. Rita had confided to her that when Jack came home, she wanted to move out of the accommodation above the shop, as it had too many memories of the years of abuse she’d suffered when married to Charlie. Besides, when Michael and Megan returned, they’d be bursting at the seams. It had been decided that they would finish their school year out at Freshfield, but then move back to be with their mother, baby sister and, eventually, Jack too.

Violet explained all this to Ruby. ‘So you see, if I come and work with you, I’d only have a little time in the shop, as I can’t ask Mam to mind the twins every day. Rita won’t be there full time. So I can’t see what would be best.’

Nancy cleared her throat. ‘I could help.’

Violet’s eyes widened. Nancy had never been known to do so much as move a box in the shop. ‘Really?’

‘Yes,’ said Nancy, speaking quickly now the idea crystallised in her mind. ‘I used to work in a shop, you know. All right, it was the big department store, George Henry Lee, but I dealt with customers and all that. It would be the ideal solution all round.’ She looked at Violet squarely in the eye. ‘If the flat is going to be free, I would be interested in that too. I’m not staying where I am, no chance, not after what the old bag said about me when Georgie went missing. Georgie would love it; he’d be right next to his favourite granny and you, Violet. Sid would have something to watch from the upstairs window as people come and go, and when he’s feeling up to it he might want to help out as well. How about it?’

Violet and Ruby looked at each other and nodded. ‘We’ll have to ask Rita,’ Ruby pointed out, ‘but it might be good for Sid, mightn’t it?’

Violet grinned. ‘Nancy, if Rita agrees, you’re on. I couldn’t let the shop down, but I’d love to grow plants for a living. If we knew you were behind the counter, we wouldn’t have to worry.’