‘The factory’s shutting tomorrow night, so I’m out of a job.’ Her hazel eyes were pleading as she looked at Peggy. ‘I don’t suppose you got anything at Solly’s, ’ave yer? I could learn to use them machines, or ’elp with the packing and stores, or even sweep up and clean the lavs if that’s all what’s going. But I ’ave to find something, Auntie Peg.’

Peggy could see how desperate she was, and hated having to disappoint her. ‘Oh, Ivy, I’m so sorry, but I can’t help. We’ve got a long list of returning service people who want their old jobs back, and I have to take them on first. I’ll add you to the list,’ she hurried on, ‘but it could be a long wait.’

‘Oh, Gawd,’ Ivy groaned. ‘I were afraid you’d say that, but I got to find something quick. It ain’t fair on Andy if I keep dipping into our savings.’

Peggy wanted to help, but knew the job situation in Cliffehaven wasn’t good. It would be extremely tough to find anything that an unskilled girl could do. Then, as Cissy returned with a bottle of beer for her, she had a spark of inspiration.

‘Have you ever done bar work, Ivy? Ron and Rosie might need help at the Anchor – or you could ask your Andy’s Aunt Gloria if she could give you something at the Crown?’

‘You’re engaged to Gloria Stevens’s nephew?’ gasped Cissy. ‘Good grief.’

‘You can wipe that snooty expression off yer face,’ snapped Ivy. ‘She’s a diamond, is Gloria, and worth two of you.’

‘Pound for pound, she probably is,’ sniffed Cissy. ‘I’ve never seen so much blubber on display.’

‘That’s enough, Cissy,’ snapped Peggy. ‘This is a private conversation, and I’d appreciate it if you’d go back to the Anchor and leave us to it.’

Cissy shrugged nonchalantly and sashayed off back to the pub.

‘Has she always been like that, Auntie Peg?’ Ivy asked, still bristling.

‘Thankfully, no, but I suspect her time at Cliffe with all those toffs has unfortunately made her see things in a different light. I’ll have a quiet word with her over the weekend, and trust you not to say anything to her to make the situation more difficult. We don’t want a repeat of what happened with my sister, do we?’

‘Nah,’ Ivy agreed. She fiddled with her hair, thinking hard. ‘I might go over and see if Gloria ’as got any work going. Ruby said Rosie ’ad given ’er a few hours at the Anchor, so there won’t be nothing there.’ Her little face brightened. ‘Best to strike while the iron’s hot, eh?’ She pushed back from the table and reached for her coat.

‘It certainly is,’ said Peggy, taking a sleepy Daisy onto her lap for a cuddle. ‘Good luck, Ivy.’