‘All right, all right. Keep yer ’air on. It won’t matter if you’re a few minutes late.’ She wriggled in her chair, clearly enjoying her moment. ‘Dolly were saying things close to Ethel’s ear, and must have got fed up with ’er not takin’ no notice, ’cos she forced her arm a bit further up and Ethel sort of sagged – all the fight going out of ’er.’

‘And?’ Sarah was reaching for her coat.

‘Dolly searched the pockets of her overalls, found what she were looking for after chucking out a couple more tins of butter, and let ’er go.’

‘What was it she found?’ asked Peggy.

‘I dunno, but it were small enough to put in her own pocket.’ Ivy’s eyes gleamed. ‘That Dolly’s quite something for a posh old gel,’ she breathed in admiration. ‘Ethel was winding up to punch ’er lights out, and she just stepped to one side cool as yer like, and let Ethel’s weight behind the punch send ’er staggering. She landed on her arse in the gutter,’ she finished, exploding into laughter. ‘I ain’t seen anything that funny in years.’

‘And that was the end of it, was it?’ asked Peggy, trying to control her own giggles.

‘Sort of. Your mate Dolly put one of them pointy heels right through a packet of tea and only missed Ethel’s fingers by a gnat’s whisker. There was a bit of shouting again from Ethel who called her a bitch and so on, and then Dolly walked away and drove off in ’er car.’

Ivy drank down her tea, clearly thirsty after all that talking. ‘I weren’t the only one to see it neither,’ she said, just as Sarah was heading for the door. ‘The factory estate supervisor come out just in time to see Ethel picking up her stuff. I shoved off quick, not wanting to get involved, but I reckon from the look on ’is face that Ethel’s in for a right earwigging – and probably the sack.’

‘Oh, lawks, I hope not. Poor Stan,’ sighed an anguished Peggy. ‘It’ll be all over town before you know it, and he’ll never live down the shame if she gets sacked for theft.’

Ivy shrugged and poured a second cup of tea. ‘I know it ain’t fair on ’im, but thieves are the lowest of the low,’ she said. ‘They steal from people what can’t afford to lose anything, and Ethel’s got away with it for too long. She deserves everything she gets.’

‘Don’t forget the jam you brought home,’ Peggy reminded her.

Ivy bristled. ‘I ’ad that off Fred’s Lil, fair and square,’ she protested. ‘She saw me coming home from work and offered it to me knowing ’ow much you and Daisy like yer jam.’

‘I’m so sorry, Ivy, said Peggy, feeling wretched. ‘I jumped to an unfair conclusion when you came back with it.’