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leathery face smiling at her through the usual cloud of cigarette smoke. Greta smiled back. At least someone seemed glad to see her, and she liked Lionel. He’d made her Nan happy again after she’d been widowed and depressed and he was always cheerful and good to everyone.
    ‘There’s tea in the pot . . .’ Ruby began, then leaned urgently downwards. ‘Oi Marleen, watch her – she’s got summat in her mouth!’
    Greta eyed the plate on the low table on which there had evidently been a fruit cake but now there was nothing but crumbs.
    ‘Nice of them to leave me some, she thought, going through to the back to pour a much-needed cup of tea. She found some stale custard creams instead and went to join the others in the front, perching on the stool near the fire as all the other chairs were taken.
    ‘Nice to see your sister home, isn’t it?’ Ethel said. ‘Even if it has all been a bit of a surprise. You had us ever so worried, Marleen – and we’ve been saying, she’s looking very thin and peaky. She wants to look after herself. You can settle back home now, Marleen—’ Ethel raised her voice to speak to Marleen, as if she was making a long-distance telephone call. ‘Whatever’s happened to you, bab, it’s all over and you’re home.’
    ‘Yeah, thanks, Nan,’ Marleen said. She sat huddled in the chair looking cold, her thin arms wrapped round her. She stared blankly at the floor and wouldn’t look any of them in the eye. As her Nan spoke though, she managed a thin little smile. Ethel had always been kind to both of them.
    ‘I’m a bit tired now, Nan,’ Marleen said, getting up. ‘I think I’ll go up and have a bit of a sleep.’
    Everyone started clucking over her. ‘You do that, bab,’ Ruby said. ‘We’ll see to Mary Lou – she’s fine down here with us. You have a good sleep.’
    ‘Look at her,’ Ethel exclaimed. ‘So thin you could snap her in half!’
    Without another word to anyone Marleen went off upstairs.
    ‘Where’s she sleeping?’ Greta asked, a sudden suspicion gripping her.
    ‘In with you of course,’ Ruby said. ‘She’s got the put-you-up in your room and Mrs Robinson’s let us have the cot – little Carol’s just out of it – she’s a good neighbour,’ she said, turning to her mother. ‘Do anything for anyone, she would.’
    ‘But there’s not the room for two beds and a cot in there!’ Greta protested. ‘We shan’t be able to move!’
    Everyone was staring at her, shocked.
    ‘Your sister’s just come home – I’d’ve thought you’d be pleased to see her and share your room for a bit!’ Ruby said. ‘Where exactly do you think she might sleep if not in there?’
    Greta went red. She was horrified at the thought of sharing with Marleen, but everyone thought she was being cruel and unloving. Unlike her, none of them had ever shared a room with her sister. They seemed to have conveniently forgotten what she was like!
    ‘’Ere, have a fruit jelly – it’s Christmas.’ Ethel leaned over, seeing Greta’s downcast face, holding out a box of coloured sweets. She knew her Nan had always had a soft spot for her.
    ‘Thanks, Nan.’
    ‘Take two while you’re at it, go on,’ Lionel said, chuckling. ‘Makes a change from all that chocolate doesn’t it? Do you good.’
    ‘It ain’t her that needs fattening up,’ Ruby remarked, tartly.
    Greta smiled gratefully at Lionel and took a strawberry and a lemon jelly. Lionel held one out to Mary Lou, who stared at it in alarm, then started snivelling. She seemed to cry whatever happened.
    ‘Here, come to Nanna,’ Ruby said, and tried to pick up the child, who screamed more loudly, squirming and kicking. ‘Eat your sweetie, darlin’!’ She pushed the jelly towards the child’s mouth, who went quiet at once when she tasted the sugary coating.
    ‘There, you like that, don’t you?’ Ethel said in a baby voice. She lit another cigarette and blew out a cloud of smoke across the room. It felt warm and cosy