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night when I gave Sam a hand to move Judy’s dressing table out of your house; that is apart from being in a cleaning frenzy. Everything around her is gleaming. I think Judy only moved out today because she was afraid that if she stayed, Helen would polish her along with everything else.’
    â€˜My house!’ Jack sipped his pint. ‘I’ve only been in it once and that was just after Helen inherited it. It was in a bit of state.’
    â€˜It’s not now, but I’m not saying any more or Helen will kill me for spoiling her surprise.’ Martin fell serious. ‘She’s missed you, Jack. You wouldn’t believe how much.’
    â€˜I might.’ Jack replaced his glass on the beer mat. ‘I missed her too, you know.’
    â€˜All she’s done since you left is work in the warehouse and on the house. Papering, painting, sanding off floorboards and woodwork, sorting the garden …’
    â€˜No trips to the Pier?’ Jack’s voice was casual but there was a keen look in his eye.
    â€˜Not since the last time we were all there together. I think we outgrew dance halls that night.’
    â€˜I can understand you and Lily doing that,’ Jack grinned. ‘You landed on your feet there, boy. Pretty wife with brains enough to work in a bank, furnished house all paid for …’
    â€˜Just like you with Helen. And it was Lily I wanted, not the house or her money.’
    â€˜Keep your hair on. I was only ribbing. I watched you fall in love with the woman when you were six years old. You would have married her when you were still in short trousers if you could have.’
    â€˜We’re lucky, Jack,’ Martin murmured soberly. ‘Both of us, I don’t know what Helen told you in her letters –’
    â€˜I should hope not,’ Jack interrupted.
    â€˜I don’t mean anything personal. She’s done wonders for the trade in her father’s warehouse. Expanded the teenage fashion side beyond even her own expectations and they were high.’
    â€˜She wrote me.’
    â€˜I rode your bike over to your house yesterday and put it in the garage. I cleaned it off and gave it a full service. Although I haven’t used it much this last year, it’s in surprisingly good nick. Not that you’ll be using it much either now that Helen has a car.’
    â€˜A car?’
    â€˜She hasn’t told you.’ Martin hit his forehead with the heel of his hand. ‘That’s me in the doghouse for opening my big mouth and saying too much. It’s not exactly hers, it belongs to the warehouse, but as she needs it for her job no one else drives it. You won’t tell her I told you?’
    â€˜That depends.’
    â€˜On what?’
    â€˜What other secrets you’re keeping from me.’
    â€˜Judy and Sam are engaged.’ Martin deliberately moved the conversation on.
    â€˜Still? Helen put that titbit in her Christmas letter the year before last. What’s the bloke waiting for?’ Jack offered Martin a cigarette.
    â€˜I think if it was up to him he’d marry her tomorrow. It’s Judy. Since her mother had the baby, Judy’s been running the hairdressers. They’ve opened ten more shops and she insists she hasn’t time to think about a wedding let alone plan one.’
    â€˜Sam obviously needs a few hints on how to keep her in line. Women should be in the kitchen not opening shops.’
    â€˜And with Helen working all hours in the warehouse you’re the one to give them to him?’
    â€˜Perhaps, after I’ve had time to remind Helen of her wifely duties.’ Jack flicked his lighter and lit Martin’s cigarette before his own.
    â€˜I hope, for your sake, you’re joking.’
    Jack winked. ‘How is Katie?’
    â€˜Happy, and,’ Martin took a deep breath, ‘pregnant. The baby is due in a few days.’
    Jack scowled. ‘I was in shock for a week