When they returned with the last of Jenny’s things, Peter had finished making the bed. His mother told him to put the sheets, duvet cover and pillow cases in the wash, before taking the bin bags down to the kitchen. Taking one in each hand herself, she headed down stairs. Moments later, Peter arrived with a bin bag in each hand, and asked his mother where to put them.

“In the yard.” she replied. “Now!” she said, noticing he was clearly reluctant to do as asked wearing what he was.

“But….” he said, looking down at his dress and shoes and stockings.

His mother looked him up and down, sighed and took them out for him. “Christ knows what the neighbours would think if they saw you.” she said on her return.