MAGGIE:        What a year it has been! And today put the icing on the cake. Jim had bought a new tandem bicycle and he took me out for a picnic. It was a wonderful day, and at the end of it he asked me if I would marry him. I was half expecting it - I could see him getting all tongue-tied - but it still felt wonderful. As I said to him, now we can form our own union! The next Mrs Carter - just imagine!!

JIM:      Very Important News! Maggie Johnson has done me the honour to accept my hand in marriage! I do declare I am the happiest man in London! I took her out for a picnic and she must have thought me an odd fish. I was so nervous I couldn't put two words together. As for Maggie, she was very serious when I popped the question - very serious indeed - and I feared the worst. But no, it turned out she was only playing me along. As we cycled home on the tandem, my heart was fair bursting.

BESSIE:      A lovely day! Maggie came rushing in to see me this evening. She and Jim are engaged! And only that same afternoon I'd been to Mister Jones the dentist to get my teeth seen to. Everything's going to be all right!!!

FOREMAN WATKINS:      Betrayed! Betrayed by the man to whom I gave my best years and the sweat of my brow. Mr Bryant , that lily-livered simpleton, has told me to collect my cards and go. Well, I've done my best as an honest man. Now maybe it's time to consider alternatives.

SUSAN:       Anuther hard day. Wandered the streats. No work to be found. Things not looking good. Chin up, Susan.