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mouth and certainly doesn’t come from these parts.’

      ‘As she’s right behind you, why don’t you ask her yourself?’ Gertie chuckled.

      ‘Gawd, sorry, ducks,’ Madge said, her face red as she turned. ‘Well, at least I wasn’t running you down. I’m a nosy old biddy and must admit I’m curious about where you hail from.’

      ‘I was brought up in an orphanage in Surrey.’

      ‘You poor kid. Don’t you know who your parents are?’

      ‘No. I was left on the steps.’

      ‘Christ, that’s awful. So you haven’t any family at all?’

      ‘None that I know of.’

      ‘Where do you live now?’

      ‘I have a room in Mo’s house.’

      ‘Yeah, and she’s fast becoming one of the family. Her and my Emma are now as thick as thieves.’

      ‘That’s nice,’ Madge said. ‘What about you, Gertie? How are you doing these days?’

      ‘I ain’t too bad, but my stomach still plays me up now and again.’

      Dolly spoke, her voice sharp. ‘You and Mo are both Mrs Neverwells. You’re never out of that doctor’s surgery and he must be sick of the sight of the pair of you.’

      ‘Now then, Dolly, don’t exaggerate,’ Gertie protested.

      ‘I ain’t, but enough gossip for now. You can get on with that washing-up, and you, Mo, get back to the vegetables.’

      Madge winked at Pearl, the two of them going back to the dining room. ‘I see Dolly’s as bossy as ever. I know we’re related, but she still scares the shit out of me.’

      ‘And me,’ Bernie called, ‘but if you don’t want her to hear you, you’d best keep your voice down, Madge.’

      The woman’s head shot round, eyeing the kitchen door with fear, whilst both Pearl and Bernie broke out into laughter.

      ‘Only kidding,’ Bernie spluttered.

      ‘Oh, you bugger,’ Madge said, but she soon joined in the laugher. ‘Well,’ she said, wiping eyes, which were wet with mirth, ‘at least it’s going to be all right working with you two.’

      Pearl placed the tray of cups on the counter, deciding that she already liked Madge, and though she’d miss the extra money in her wage packet, she was glad that the woman had applied for the job.

      Madge turned out to be a comic and often had Pearl helpless with laughter. As a local she knew many of the costermongers, giving them as good as she got in light-hearted fun.

      Nearly two weeks had passed, and the only problem was Pearl’s continuing ill health. It was becoming a real concern.

      When she got up on Friday morning she was once again feeling nauseous, and as she sat opposite Mo at the breakfast table, her food uneaten, the woman eyed her thoughtfully. She then dropped the bombshell.

      ‘Pearl, have you … well … have you been with Derek?’

      ‘Been with him? What do you mean?’

      ‘Er … have you slept with him?’

      ‘No, of course not.’

      ‘Blimey, that’s a relief, and I’m sorry for being suspicious. I thought with you being sick in the mornings that you might be pregnant.’

      Pearl’s face stretched in surprise. ‘Pregnant! You think I’m having a baby?’

      ‘No, not now you’ve told me that haven’t slept with Derek. I’m sorry, love, I should have known better. You’re a good girl, but as I said, with you being sick and all …’

      Pearl stared at Mo, her eyes transfixed with shock. She couldn’t be – she just couldn’t … Yes, she had missed once, but surely that didn’t mean anything? Her mind tried to calculate dates, but so much had happened in such a short time that she’d lost track. She’d left her first bedsit, moved in with Connie and Derek for a while and then ended up here. Oh God … and as realisation dawned, Pearl’s face drained of colour. It wasn’t just one period she had missed – it was two. With a gasp she stumbled to her feet and into the hall, taking the stairs two at a time as she fled to the sanctuary of her bedroom

      No! Oh, no! She was pregnant. But it wasn’t Derek’s baby she was carrying.

      Pearl was lying on her bed when Mo tapped gently on the door but, unable to face her, she buried her head in the pillow. She heard the door open, and hunched her shoulders.

      ‘Well, Pearl, from your reaction, I think I’m right after all. Come on, it ain’t the end of the world. You’re not the first girl to get herself pregnant before the wedding and I doubt you’ll be the last. At least you’re engaged to Derek and now you’ll just have to get married as soon as possible. You ain’t showing yet, so it won’t be so bad.’

      A sob rose in Pearl’s chest. She had expected disgust, censure, but instead Mo was being so kind. What would her reaction be when she found out the truth?

      ‘Try to pull yourself together, love, or you’ll be late for work. Have a chat with Derek as soon as you get the chance, and don’t worry, I reckon he’ll be as pleased as punch. Anyone can see that he thinks the world of you.’

      Pearl gasped, her whole body shaking and, obviously bewildered, Mo continued to pat her back. The door opened again, Emma coming into the room.

      ‘What’s going on?’ she demanded. ‘What’s the matter with Pearl?’

      ‘Shall I tell her, love?’ Mo asked.

      Pearl fought to bring herself under control, managing to nod her head in agreement, but couldn’t look at Emma as Mo broke the news.

      ‘Pregnant!’ she gasped. ‘Blimey, you soppy cow. Does Derek know?’

      With another sob, Pearl shook her head. She would have to face Derek, but dreaded his reaction. She was carrying another man’s child and there was no way he’d marry her now. Unable to put coherent thoughts in order, her mind raced. Connie would go mad too, and there was Dolly Dolby. What would she say when she found out that Kevin was the father?

      Kevin! Kevin was the baby’s father! Her stomach lurched. She had been denying her feelings for him for so long, but now that she was carrying his child they overwhelmed her. Despite the way he’d behaved – despite the flaws in his character – she was in love with him.

      When Pearl finally dashed into the café she was half an hour late, but instead of giving her a reprimand, Bernie puffed out his cheeks in relief.

      ‘I was worried that you weren’t going to show up. Madge is late too, and Dolly’s in a right old state.’

      ‘I’m sorry,’ Pearl told him, tying her apron hurriedly.

      ‘You don’t look too good, girl, and you look like you’ve been crying.’

      ‘I … I’m fine.’

      ‘If you say so, but perhaps you’re coming down with a cold.’

      ‘Yes, maybe,’ she said, thankful for the excuse.

      The morning rush had just started and Madge still hadn’t arrived. Pearl took her first order through to the kitchen.

      ‘You look awful.’ Dolly said.

      ‘I think I’m coming down with a cold.’ Pearl was glad to grasp at Bernie’s comment. Mo wasn’t due in yet, but she dreaded her arrival. She’d promised not to say anything, but Pearl knew how much the woman loved a good gossip. There wouldn’t be a chance to talk to Derek until her break, but if Mo opened her mouth the news would spread like wildfire. Please, God, she prayed, let him hear it from me.

      Madge came into

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