The Halfpenny Girls at Christmas

by Maggie Mason

Genres: World War II

Synopsis

SPEND CHRISTMAS WITH THE HALFPENNY GIRLS. . .

The perfect heart-warming family saga about overcoming hardship and the value of friendship. Perfect for fans of Val Wood, Kitty Neale and Rosie Goodwin.

Will their prayers be answered at the most wonderful time of the year?

As Christmas approaches, Alice, Edith and Marg continue to face hardships growing up on one of the poorest streets in Blackpool. Penniless, their friendship has helped them survive this far, but it'll take more than that to see them through the dark days that lie ahead . . .

Newly married Alice receives shocking news about her pregnancy that threatens the future she's always dreamed of, Marg is struggling to care for her ailing mother and ensure her little sister receives the education she deserves, and Edith is grieving the loss of her family while preparing to marry her sweetheart.

The Halfpenny Girls once again are faced with a struggle, but with the festive season upon them will family, friendship and Christmas spirit see them through?

The Halfpenny Girls is part of a trilogy but can be read as a standalone. Don't miss the girls' return in The Halfpenny Girls at War. And if you want to curl up with another festive treat, don't miss Maggie Mason's brand-new book The Fortune Tellers' Secret!

Readers love Maggie Mason's Blackpool sagas:

'5 stars - I wish I could give it more. Wonderful read.'

'Another must read book'

'What a brilliant book. I couldn't put it down!'

'I was hooked from the first page . . . this author is a must read'

'A totally absorbing read'

Release date: October 28, 2021

Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group

Print pages: 400

Sample

Alice

December 1938

Alice laughed at Marg’s funny antics as she hopped about, swinging her arms backwards and forwards trying to stay warm. Her teeth were chattering as she asked, ‘By, whose idea was this? It’s flipping freezing.’

Edith joined in the laughter, but Alice knew, like her, she felt sorry that Marg’s threadbare coat didn’t give her the same warmth their own thick coats gave them.

Though none of theirs would fit Marg, the thought of not just one, but three warm coats hanging in her own wardrobe, besides this huge bell-shaped one she wore to cover her seven-month bump, made Alice feel guilty at how her own fortunes had changed. As had Edith’s with her fiancé, Philip, to support her. But poor Marg was still stuck in the poverty trap they’d all been in as children.

‘Let’s get into the warmth and have our chips now, lass.’

‘But we’re meant to walk along the prom for a while first, Alice. I don’t want to spoil that for you two.’

‘You’re not, I feel the cold an’ all. But besides that, me back’s aching like mad.’ As she said this a gust of wind propelled Alice towards Marg and she landed in her arms. All three fell about laughing.

‘Eeh, you’re only little, but you’re a bundle of trouble; you nearly knocked me off me pins, Alice, and we only brought you because you said you’d treat us to our chips!’

Alice made a face and stuck her tongue out at Marg. ‘Ha, not so little now!’

This afternoon was special; it was a rare treat these days for the three of them to be out together. Born within days of each other on Whittaker Avenue in Blackpool, they’d been friends since they were little. This year, in late September, they’d celebrated their twenty-first birthdays.

All they’d been through growing up had drawn them as close as if they were sisters, but their lives now were beginning to take different paths. Gone were the days they would play together, go to school together, and then, later, work in the same factory and end the day sitting on Marg’s doorstep drinking cocoa. All that had changed when Alice married her doctor husband, Gerald, and moved to his grander house on a wealthier street.

Sighing the memories away, Alice linked arms with Marg. She wouldn’t have missed this walk along Blackpool prom with them for the world. ‘I’ll be good, but you just have to hang on to me. Despite me bulk, the wind seems to think it can have its wicked way with me.’

They giggled joyfully and it filled Alice with the knowledge that their friendship would always support her, no matter what they were faced with.

As Edith linked Marg’s other arm and their laughter died into their loving companionship, familiar sounds came into focus.

‘Try your luck at winning an amazing gift! We’ve clocks to grace your mantelpiece, tea sets to make you feel you could have the King to Christmas Day tea …’

She loved Blackpool and was proud of its wonderous Tower standing majestic and soaring towards the sky, overlooking its golden sands, the stalls that lined the seafront, and the sometimes angry Irish sea that lashed its shores.

Wanting to get Marg into the warm, Alice told them, ‘Come on, let’s hurry. And no stopping to talk to Bendy – though it will be good to see him. We can have a chat when we come out of the café.’

Edith gave her a quizzical look. ‘By, you’ve changed your tune, Alice. It’s not long since you’d have done anything to avoid his stall.’

‘I know, but he did used to go on about me ma a lot and it got on me nerves, him saying he’d been in love with her and how like her I was with me blonde, curly hair and large blue eyes. It used to embarrass me, but he don’t do that as much now.’

‘Well, it’s a good job you don’t mind him as he’s heading our way.’

Though she’d seen Bendy’s contortionist ways many times, Alice was always amazed at his agility. Twisting his body into all sorts of tangles was what gave him his nickname and attracted customers to his coconut shy.

He came cartwheeling towards them, frightening the life out of Alice as they all jumped out of his way. Marg, always the feisty one, shouted at him, ‘Bendy, mind what you’re doing! The wind has done a good job of knocking Alice about without you having a go an’ all! You should be mindful of her condition.’

‘Sorry, me lasses, and aye, there are some strong gusts today.’ He looked at Alice. ‘How are you, love?’

‘I’m fine, Bendy, ta, despite the fright you just gave me. We’re heading for the chippy, we’re frozen.’

‘Aw, and I thought you were going to have a go on me stall. I’ve some lovely teddy bears you could win for your babby.’

‘I might just do that, after I’ve eaten me dinner.’

‘Here, let me give you a hand. I’ll keep the wind from blowing you over. My, you’re as dainty as your ma used to be.’

Ignoring this, Alice took the arm Bendy offered. He escorted her inside the café and sat her down with a flourish. She laughed up at him, telling him to stop fussing, but it made no difference.

Now that both her parents were gone, Bendy was one of the few people left who remembered them when they were younger. His memories evoked her own, especially of her da, who, following an accident at the rock factory, was never the same again. He’d risked his life to save Clive, his boss’s son, who was now a friend of theirs – well, more than a friend to Marg, though she always insisted that he wasn’t.

But for all the hardship she and her brothers had faced because of their father’s changed personality, she did have a lot of fond memories too. Like the time when she visited the Tower Ballroom with Edith and Marg and she met her lovely Gerald.

Gerald, a doctor, had tried, but unfortunately not succeeded, to help her da – a time when their initial attraction deepened into a love that consumed her and brought happiness to her life. Not long after she and Gerald had married, they, along with her brothers, had moved to Newton Drive, to the lovely house Gerald’s parents had given to him before sailing off into the sunset, as they put it. Now, poverty was a thing of the past for them and they were cocooned in love. How she wished she could make everything right for Edith and Marg too.

Edith was getting there, but Marg … Poor Marg.

‘By, lass, you’re doing a lot of sighing this afternoon. Let’s hope a hot mug of tea and the chips sort you out.’ Edith smiled down at her. ‘I’m ready for mine, I can tell you. I haven’t eaten yet today.’

‘Me, too, love. Just let me get me purse out.’

‘No, you don’t have to pay, Alice. I know you said you would, but I’ll go halves.’

Marg didn’t say anything, and Alice knew she probably didn’t have a penny to offer. Wanting to cover up any embarrassment Marg might feel, Alice put on a stern voice.

‘I said I’d pay and I will. Now, don’t argue with a pregnant lady, it doesn’t do her any good.’

Edith’s mouth dropped open. ‘You’re pregnant? I thought you’d just got fat!’

‘You daft apeth. Anyway, shush, don’t tell everybody!’

‘Eeh, Alice, love.’ Marg opened her arms. ‘You always make me laugh. I just want to hug you.’

‘Ha, you’ll crush me!’

‘Crush you, I can’t even get me arms around you. Like Edith says, you’ve got fat.’

They erupted into a giggling mess then, but were pulled up by Irene, the chip shop owner, shouting at them.

‘Oi, you three, are you in here to eat or get warm? ’Cause me café ain’t for nowt else other than eating fish and chips.’

They all laughed at Irene. ‘Sorry, love, can we have three lots of fish and chips, please, and make them large. Oh, and three mugs of tea as soon as you can – we’re freezing.’

‘By, it’s good to hear you can afford that lot, Alice. I remember when you three were ragged-arsed kids, begging for the scratchings. How’s things with you all, anyroad? Eeh, I still can’t get over what happened to your family, Edith, lass. I were really sad about it.’

Alice stiffened, afraid for Edith that being reminded of the tragedy would dampen her day. But she coped. ‘Ta, Irene. I’m all right. It’s harder some days than others.’

‘And your ma and gran, Marg, how’re they doing, lass?’

‘Gran gives me the runaround, and me ma, well, she’s not too good, but keeps cheerful. Jackie’s looking after them to give me a break. I’ll tell Ma you were asking after her.’

‘Aye, do. By, that sister of yours is a one on her own. She’ll go places, she will … Well, now, Alice, you’ve landed in clover, ain’t yer? When’re you due then? You hadn’t better have it on me floor or I’ll batter it and serve it up to me customers!’

‘Irene!’

‘What? I were only having a laugh, Marg. If it happened here, I’d be over the moon. I could double me takings advertising meself as a midwife an’ all.’

After the stunned silence of the few in the café, everyone roared at this. Irene was a card, but some of her impromptu remarks were a bit too far off the mark. Alice joined in the laughter, though was glad when the bell above the door clanged, announcing the entrance of the local bobby and taking the attention away from herself.

It was a standing joke that his name was Bob – Bob the bobby – and in true bobby style, he asked, ‘Now then, what’s going on in here?’

Most laughed, but one chap called out, ‘You’re just in time to prevent a murder, Bob. One thing about you, you’re always in the right place at the right time.’

Alice jumped in. ‘Hello, Bob, we ain’t seen you in a while.’

‘Naw, that’s because you’ve all been good lasses.’ He winked at her and then gave them all a wide grin. ‘Can I queue-jump, girls? I’m late taking me break and it’s left me short of time.’

‘As long as we get our mugs of tea first,’ Alice told him. ‘We’re chilled to the bone.’

‘Coming up, Alice, lass.’

As they sat drinking their tea and warming their hands around the hot enamel mugs, Alice began to feel better. She just wished this backache would ease, but it only seemed to be getting worse.

As Edith blew away the steam from her tea, she said, ‘So, you’ve only two months to go now, Alice.’

Alice nodded and tried to smile, but a sudden pain made her catch her breath and she let out an involuntary cry.

‘Alice?’ This was said by Edith and Marg in unison.

Alice smiled. ‘Calm down, it was just a twinge. It happens.’

‘Was it the babby kicking? Can I feel? I love to put me hand on your belly when he’s moving, it makes him feel more real … Eeh, Alice, I can’t wait.’ With this, Marg put her hand on Alice’s bump.

‘No, it’s not him. He’s been good for a couple of days now. Don’t worry, you’ll know all about it yourselves one of these days; it ain’t all plain sailing, knitting and dreaming, you know! Now, do something useful and rub me back for me.’

As Marg did this, Edith said, ‘If you’re having a girl, she’s going to be born with a complex and a feeling that she weren’t expected, poor thing. I hope you’re knitting some pink things an’ all.’

‘Lemon and white, to be on the safe side. But, you know, I don’t mind what sex it is, I will love it with all my heart. I can’t wait for the day it blooming well arrives now. Anyway, Marg, your hand feels warm, but how’s the rest of you? Are you warming up, now?’

‘Aye, I am. Me belly’s beginning to feel less like an ice pit.’

‘Marg … well, look, why don’t you let—’

‘I know what you’re going to say, Alice, but no, love. You do enough for me and I ain’t going to let you buy me a coat, they cost too much. Anyroad, me coat’s all right, it were me jumper that made me cold today – I washed it and it didn’t dry in time.’

Alice sighed. She so wanted to help Marg more, but knew her pride stopped her accepting anything costly.

Edith must have caught on as she asked, ‘How long have you two got? I’m helping with the Christmas fayre at St Kentigern’s at three this afternoon and I know there’s two coats in what I unpacked for me stall. They looked about the right fit for you and Jackie, love, and those who run the stalls have the pick of the best stuff before the doors open. I could do with some help.’

‘I’ll help out, but I don’t know about buying two coats, I’ve only a couple of coppers. It’d be good to get Jackie a good warm coat, though. What about you, Alice?’

‘I’ll be all right now that I’ve had this rest. You can stop massaging now, ta, Marg, love. Me back feels a lot better.’

Alice caught Edith’s eye. She winked at her, then changed the subject. ‘Speaking of Christmas, you’re both still coming to mine, aren’t you?’

‘Aye, of course we are. Me and Philip were talking about it last night, and me and Marg have decided we’re cooking Christmas dinner, not you. You can supervise the laying of the table and that’s it!’

‘Eeh, Edith, I know me orders, lass.’

They laughed, but Marg didn’t join in. Alice knew it was difficult for her, and this was confirmed when she said, ‘Jackie’s definitely coming, nothing’s going to stop that happening, she so wants to spend it with Harry. But, well, I might not make it. It depends on how me ma is. She’s had some bad days since we all made the arrangements. Mind, me and Jackie made the pud, so no matter what I’ll send that as promised.’

‘Ooh, I love your Christmas pud, Marg. But don’t worry, you’re coming. Gerald’ll fetch your ma in his car, and she couldn’t be in better hands than his, as you know. So, all we need to know is will Clive be coming with you?’

‘No, why should he? Besides, he has his sons to spend it with.’

Alice wished the pair of them would realise their feelings for each other – well, Marg, at least, as with Clive it was obvious how he felt. But Marg just seemed to want to keep him as a friend, when he’d be so perfect for her.

‘Anyroad, if you’re sure Gerald wouldn’t mind, I wouldn’t miss it for the world. Ta, love.’

‘He won’t, we’ve already talked about it.’

‘Ooh, it’ll be grand. When me and Jackie made the Christmas pud the other night, it cheered us up no end as it brought on that Christmassy feeling. But then, Gran had us in tucks when she gave it a stir, as she said, “I wish John would come home from work and take me to bed for a cuddle and work his magic on me.” Ha! I had to stop her as it seemed like she was going to go on. Jackie was blushing like mad.’

‘Eeh, your gran’s a one.’

‘She is since she lost her marbles, Edith. Though it’s easier to cope with her since your lovely ma gave me some tips. Betty was so good with her.’

Marg noticed a change in Edith’s expression.

‘Oh, Edith, I’m sorry, lass, I shouldn’t have said.’

‘No, it’s all right, I like good memories. Ma was good with your gran.’

Alice could see the relief on Marg’s face as she turned towards her. ‘It helped an’ all, Alice, when Gerald told me that Gran’s condition was called dementia, and he explained how it was for her. How she’s missing a few pages in the book of her life and gradually losing others.’

‘I’m glad it helped you, Marg. I know it ain’t easy for you at times, but at least you understand what’s happening to Gran. Anyroad, back to Christmas. So there’ll be eleven around the table … Ooh, I feel so excited. I love Christmas! I loved the ones we used to have when we were kids. There was always a magic about it, even though we didn’t have much.’

Their fond memories were interrupted as Irene called out, ‘Three times fish and chips! Come and get it, me lasses. I’ve thrown in some bread and butter for you too.’

‘Ta, Irene, I forgot to order that.’

Edith stood. ‘Right, I’ll fetch them over. Come on, belly-up-Alice, give me your money.’

This brought their giggles back. Alice handed Edith a shilling and told her, ‘I’ll have salt and vinegar on mine, please, Edith, love.’

‘Ooh, and me an’ all, Edith. I’ll come with you, lass.’

As they went, Bob passed Alice on his way out, clutching his hot newspaper-wrapped chips. He gave her a cheery grin.

Bob had figured in their lives since they were nippers and supported them through many a crisis. They couldn’t wish for a better local bobby.

The fish and chips were delicious: lovely and hot and dripping with vinegar. But it was the light, crunchy batter that Alice loved the most. As she bit into it, memories of begging for the scratchings – the bits of batter that had not clung to the fish and had fried in the hot fat until scooped out – came to her.

Irene would put them into little cone-shaped bags and sell them for a farthing, but many a time she’d given the three of them a bag to share and they’d walked along the prom chomping on them and dodging the squawking, hungry seagulls who threatened to steel their prize. Alice smiled to herself at the memory.

When they left the café, they headed for Bendy’s stall.

Not feeling up to having a go herself as the chips were lying heavy in her, Alice tapped Marg’s shoulder. ‘Do you reckon you could win me a teddy, Marg, love? Here, take this change and do your best, eh?’

‘Eeh, you make me feel like a kid again, Alice, with buying me chips and giving me a copper or two to have a go on the stalls. All I need now is an ice cream.’

‘It’s a bit cold for that! Besides, you’ve always been better at winning than me and Edith, and I know you love having a go … Go on, there’s a good ’un, win a teddy. It’ll be me babby’s first present.’

Marg grinned and her lovely freckled face lit up. She wasn’t beautiful in the way that Edith was, with her clear-cut features, striking large hazel eyes, glossy dark hair and the elegance that being tall gave, but Marg had a nice face framed by mousy-coloured hair that tended to frizz. Her best feature was her lovely dark eyes; her strength shone through them, drawing folk to her.

As Marg tried to win a prize, Alice and Edith huddled together on the bench that stood facing the sea.

Edith found Alice’s hand. ‘When Marg comes back, we’ll go. We need to get to St Kentigern’s in good time to grab them coats, and we’ll make sure Marg can afford them between us, eh?’

Alice forced a grin onto her face. At this moment she just needed to be in the warmth again.

‘You look tired, love.’

‘Aye, I am. I’ve loved it, but the chips aren’t settling. I’ll be fine in a few moments. I just get a lot of indigestion.’

‘Well, you know what the old biddies at the factory always say when anyone’s pregnant and suffers that – that babby’ll have plenty of hair!’

‘Oh, Edith, I hope it has plenty of everything, whether it’s a girl or boy … Eeh, I didn’t mean …’

Edith burst out laughing. ‘Aye, blessed in every department!’

‘Edith!’ Shocked, as Edith was the last one to come out with innuendos, Alice playfully slapped her shoulder, though was secretly glad to have made Edith laugh.

When Edith sobered, she said, ‘You know, I miss being at yours, Alice, love. Especially when your Gerald’s on nights. We used to have such a laugh when the lads went to do their own thing in their rooms and we were left on our own.’

‘We did, and I miss you an’ all, so much, Edith. How’re you finding it back in the old street and living on your own?’

‘It’s good to be back among them we know, and I’ve Marg next door for support, but I have to admit, it isn’t always easy seeing me old house across the road and imagining me da and ma sitting outside in the sunshine. It’s still very painful.’

‘I know, love, it will be, but all is coming right now. Well, for us. Me happily married and with me first babby on the way, and you engaged to Philip.’

‘Aye, we’re lucky, but poor Marg still goes through the mill.’

They had no time to say more as a triumphant Marg called them over. ‘I won! I thought you’d like to choose the teddy, Alice, love.’

‘Aw, well done, Marg, and ta, love.’

Alice knew the teddy bear she wanted the minute she laid eyes on it: the fluffy yellow one with large button eyes, one of which was half covered with black felt as if winking. He looked adorable with his black and white scarf tied around his neck.

Once Bendy had hooked him off the shelf and handed him to her, she clutched him to her stomach. ‘What do reckon to this, little one, eh?’

Bendy grinned. ‘By, Alice, lass, you’re blooming more than usual. Good luck to you – I hope it’s a little girl as pretty as you and your ma.’

Edith put in quickly, ‘Eeh, Alice, I love the way you talk to your babby as if he’s already here.’

Alice knew she was trying to cover for Bendy having mentioned her ma.

‘He is to me, Edith, love, he’s part of me – a real little person.’

Bendy didn’t seem to pick up on anything amiss as he said, ‘Let me get me brother to take you wherever you’re going, Alice, he’s had a quiet day. His taxi’s only just around the corner, and I’ll make sure it’s a free ride an’ all.’

They all gratefully accepted the offer, and as they climbed in Alice said, ‘Right, me Halfpenny Girls, let’s go bargain hunting, eh?’

‘Me da named us that, didn’t he, Alice?’

‘He did, Edith, love. We were playing out when he called over, “You three are the Halfpenny Girls,” then said something about us being poor but having the riches of friendship. And that’s what we’ve been called ever since and will always be, no matter how our fortunes change.’

Sitting back, Alice felt a sense of happiness settle in her. Life had dealt them all a bad hand, but it was full of promise now – wasn’t it? She quickly dispelled this doubting question as she shifted her body to get comfy and patted her belly.

Marg

The church hall looked like a fairyland, decorated as it was in tinsel and paper chains. Marg clasped her hands together. ‘Ooh, look, I’ve got that Christmassy feeling again.’

‘Doesn’t it look lovely? And Joey had a hand in making the decorations too. All the schoolkids did.’

‘Aw, Alice, that’s a lovely touch and it’s to raise money for the Christmas party and to buy a gift for each child … Eeh, look at that!’

Marg looked up to where Edith was pointing. A large bunch of mistletoe hung from the ceiling beam. ‘Ha, we’d better watch out, Father Malley loves to grab a peck on the cheek at Christmas time, which is fine, but his breath always stinks of onions!’

Marg saw something different in Edith’s face as she said this. She knew the Church and Father Malley meant a lot to her. She and Philip attended church every week, as did her Jackie, but then, she knew that was only because Harry did. She couldn’t see anything in it herself and knew Alice didn’t either. Though she did believe, she just didn’t think she needed to sit in a cold pew every Sunday morning for God to know that.

Not that she was friends with Him at the moment anyway, the way he sent trouble to their door every five minutes – or so it seemed.

‘Right, let’s get busy, girls. This is my stall and I’ve a lot of bags to get through.’

‘Eeh, Edith, where did all this come from?’

‘It’s collected from the posh lot. I even collected from Alice as she’s one of them now.’

Alice gave Edith another playful slap. ‘I’m not and I’ll never be! Anyway, did you keep that blouse aside for yourself like I told you to, Edith? It was Gerald’s ma’s. She told me to do what I liked with what she left behind. She loved jumble sales and the like, so I give a few of her bits to anyone who comes around collecting for them.’

‘I did. It’s with a costume I like, but let’s find them coats, shall we?’

These were easily located and Marg loved the one Edith had in mind for her. When she tried it on it fitted her a treat. It hung to her thighs, had a huge collar and was a wraparound to keep her snug. The colour – chocolate brown – was just right for her. Hugging it around her, she felt a million dollars, as she’d heard the stars say at the flicks. She did a twirl and snuggled the collar around her neck.

‘Aw, Edith, I love it, but they’ll never agree to a penny for it. Let’s have a look at the one you think will be nice for Jackie and I’ll spend me tuppence on that.’

She couldn’t keep the disappointment out of her voice, but it helped to see the lovely dark-grey coat and know that it would be just right for Jackie. It had a sort of business-like look, and yet was fashionable too.

Alice asked, ‘How much are they, Edith?’

‘We’re not allowed to price anything for ourselves, love.’

‘Well then, take it off Marg and let me take them to who decides.’

Marg had a sneaky feeling that whatever the price, Alice would pay and then tell her the coats were just tuppence. Though torn about this, she so wanted them and didn’t object.

Besides, this is how it was with the three of them: when the chips were down, the others propped them up.

But Edith didn’t think Alice’s idea a good one. ‘I’ll go, Alice. I’ll take them to Maud, she’s a good ’un. If you go, she’ll know you can afford to pay over the odds. I’ll tell her I’ll bring the money to her at the end.’

Marg didn’t miss the knowing look that passed between them and loved them for the little game they were playing.

As Edith left, Alice said they should get on with emptying some more of the bags, but Marg wasn’t going to allow that. She felt worried at how peaky Alice looked.

‘Not we. You sit on that chair and sort that bag out there, and I’ll go through these.’

As she moved the chair Marg got a glimpse through the window. ‘Eeh, it feels like Christmas already with how the ice is shining white on the pavements and clinging to the trees around the church, making lacy patterns out of the webs. And oh, this hall! Look, there’s even a Christmas tree, though it ain’t decorated yet. I’d love to decorate a tree, but we ain’t afforded one for a good while.’

‘Won’t your da get you one?’

‘Don’t call him that, Alice, he ain’t no da to me. I called him Uncle Eric all me life, and though I did call him Da when I first found out who he really was, I struggle to even say his name now after how he’s treated us. Anyway, when it suited him he did buy us stuff at Christmas, but never a tree.’

‘So, things are no better then? I know it were a shock to find out he was your da, but I thought with you knowing how he was duped by your ma that you’d accept him more.’

‘No, he ain’t been back to ours since Ma deceived him by telling him she had cancer when she didn’t. Anyroad, I ain’t bothered. His way of going on ain’t mine, with his rackets and his money lending. Did you hear how he beat Mr Carson almost to death because he missed a payment? It was terrifying, all the street were out. Every time he kicked him he said, “That’s for the pint you had at dinner, and that’s for the second one,” and so on, till Ada dashed over with her rolling pin and hit him. Then he stood and turned around, looking at everyone who’d gathered, and said, “Let this be a lesson to you all. You pay your dues. You don’t pee it up the wall after spending it on beer and gin!”’

A shudder went through Marg as she remembered how Eric had turned to glare at her. His face had an evil expression as he spat at her, ‘And that includes you! You owe me, Marg.’ His finger wagged at her. ‘And one day, you’ll pay.’

‘Are you all right, Marg? Look, I’ll tell you what, you can decorate my tree, eh? I wouldn’t manage it and the lads don’t have a clue. Gerald said he’d try, but I think it needs a woman’s touch. How about you do it on Christmas Eve while I help Edith prepare the veg and stuff the cockerel? You can do it just how you want.’

Marg made herself smile as she said, ‘Ta. Eeh, I can’t believe we have just eight days to go to Christmas Day … Alice, one day, I’ll repay you for everything.’

‘To see that smile’s payment enough, love. Anyroad, all I need is to know you’re all right. You and Edith. If you are, then I am.’

‘Hey, having a sneaky hug while I do all the bargaining, are you?’

They both laughed as they parted. Marg’s spirits soared as Edith added, ‘There you go, Marg. A penny three farthings, so you’ve a farthing left to spend, lass.’

She didn’t say that she knew what had gone on. She just accepted it as them returning the love that she had for them both.

Early Monday morning had been busy for Marg and it wasn’t yet seven. She fretted over how she’d be late for work again, and for the umpteenth time won. . .