‘That must have been quite a journey,’ said Richard, carefully avoiding looking at the tattoos. ‘But then I expect you’re used to a lot of travelling, being in the Royal Navy,’ he blustered, clearly intimidated by the brothers’ height and width.

‘It’s the Merchant Navy,’ replied Stanley, squaring his broad shoulders. ‘And yes, we got to know the Atlantic pretty well over the past five or so years.’

Richard reddened, but Mick broke the awkward moment by advancing on the silent and rather sullen George. ‘Wotcha, Georgie,’ he boomed jovially, ruffling the boy’s hair and making him wince. ‘Blimey, you ain’t ’alf a big lad. I reckon you take after me and yer grandad and would do well in the ring.’ He grinned and faked a few air-punches at the boy’s midriff. ‘Do any boxing, do yer?’

‘I play rugger for the first fifteen at school,’ George replied stiffly.

Mick’s grin faded and he eyed the boy thoughtfully. ‘Good fer you, lad,’ he murmured. ‘Union or League?’

It was George’s turn to be surprised. ‘Union.’

‘A proper gent’s game, that is,’ said Mick, nodding. ‘I’m prop forward for the Navy team, and we rarely lose a game. What position do you play?’

‘Number eight,’ he replied reluctantly, looking down at his shoes.

‘Back row and fast on yer feet with good ’ands to carry the ball,’ said Mick with approval.

George nodded and brought the short conversation to a halt by turning away to stand by his sister and hold her hand as Stanley talked to her.

‘There ain’t no need to be afraid,’ said Stanley, bending down to Elsie’s level and keeping his voice low. ‘I’m yer big brother, see, and I just come to make sure you’re all right.’

‘I’m very well, thank you,’ she replied, peeking at him through her fringe.

‘Ivy says you wanna stay ’ere, and not go back to London with ’er,’ he continued. ‘Is that right, Elsie?’

Tears trembled on her lashes as she nodded. ‘I don’t want to leave Mummy and Daddy,’ she whispered tremulously. ‘Please don’t make me go.’

Stanley sighed and would have stroked her cheek if the child hadn’t flinched away from his large hand. ‘Oh, darling, I ain’t gunna make you do nothing you don’t want,’ he said softly. ‘Me and Mick just needed to know you’re ’appy ’ere, that’s all. So don’t cry, please.’

‘I think it’s time you left,’ said Ivy firmly. ‘You’ve seen how things are ’ere, and must realise it was the only decision I could make.’

‘Yeah,’ sighed Mick. ‘Yer right, gel. They fit in ’ere like an ’and in a glove. We won’t make no trouble about the adoption.’

‘But you’d better look after them,’ said Stanley, waving a meaty finger at the startled Johnsons. ‘Or you’ll ’ave me and Mick to deal with. Understand?’