‘We’re still on target,’ she soothed. Seeing that he wasn’t at all in a good mood, she said nothing about the absent workers, although she was certain he’d spotted the gaps. ‘Why don’t I ask Madge to make you a pot of your special coffee? That always puts you in a good frame of mind.’

He blew out his cheeks. ‘My Rachel has been conspiring with that mashugana of a doctor again. They’ve decided coffee and cigars aren’t good for me. It seems they’ve come to the conclusion that my blood pressure’s a bit high, so they’ve put me on a blasted diet as well.’ He mashed the cigar out with some vigour.

Peggy knew better than to say anything, because in this mood the slightest thing would set him off on one of his rages – which certainly wouldn’t help his blood pressure.

Solly threw up his hands, his brown eyes beseeching as he looked at her. ‘Oy vay, Peggy. What’s the world coming to when a man can’t enjoy a few pleasures? Have I not earnt them? Do I not work hard enough to give that woman everything she could possibly want? Do I not pay that man a fortune to keep his mouth shut when Rachel interrogates him about my health?’

It was a tricky situation for Peggy who knew all about his health problems from Rachel. She would have to tread carefully – but going by the rising colour in his face and the tremor in his hand as he defiantly lit another cigar, he really was risking a heart attack.

‘It’s tough, I know,’ she said. ‘But Rachel’s worried about you. And to be honest, Solly, so am I.’

‘Ach, you women worry too much,’ he said dismissively. ‘I’m perfectly healthy, and a fine figure of a man for my age. I don’t need either of you fussing over me.’

‘It’s only because Rachel loves you, Solly, and when the factory’s running smoothly again and you’re in a better frame of mind, you’ll realise that.’

He shrugged. ‘Maybe,’ he replied, his attention now focused on what Peggy was wearing. ‘That costume looks good on you, Peggy. How does it feel?’

‘It’s a good weight for spring and comfortable to wear,’ she replied, ‘but I think you need to line the skirt as well as the jacket. The cheap cloth is inclined to lose shape around the seat.’

‘A lining will make it more expensive,’ he grumbled. ‘You should wear a petticoat.’

‘I am, and it still sags when I sit down. The weave just isn’t firm enough. Besides, lining the skirt will only add about a farthing to the cost, and you can recoup that easily on the price and still keep it affordable. A lined skirt will give it some class, making the whole costume more desirable.’