Everything would have fallen on Ethel's shoulders afterward

The cooking, cleaning, checking on Vera's mother, etc. Plus Ethel had a job. An unfair burden to cast on her but who else would do it? I can't picture Stan and Sid cleaning the flat or doing the laundry. A washing machine seemed to be an expensive luxury so I expect the clothes were taken to a nearby laundrette (as laundromats are called in the UK).

Ethel and Reg's wedding probably got put off indefinitely, as she could hardly get married and move out with no one to look after her father and Sid.