John heard snatches of instructions as they walked down the stairs, and then the sound of the big front door closing.

‘But what about the theatre?’ he croaked when she reappeared.

‘I’ve been thinking about that.’ Ursula sat down on the edge of the bed. ‘Finlay can take her, and I will stay here to look after you.’

He shook his head.

She took his hand. ‘Finlay is seventeen, and he can be quite responsible when he wants to be.’

‘It was supposed to be a special night out. Just the two of us, that’s what you and I planned for her.’

‘There will be other visits to the theatre.’ She put her finger to her lips. ‘No more talking. Ann will understand, and Finlay is going to university later this year. He will be completely occupied with his studies and all his new friends. There may not be many more occasions where he will escort her, and behave like the older brother he actually is.’ She patted the counterpane. ‘Now, please, you really must rest your poor voice. I’m going to ring for Isobel to bring you a drink. It’s not too late and I am sure she won’t mind.’ She stood up. ‘You work very hard for all of us and you’re always thinking about other people, and now it’s our turn to look after you.’

John shook his head.

‘Very well, I won’t ring for her. But in that case, I insist on making you a hot toddy. Some honey and lemon to soothe that throat of yours? I am sure I can manage that on my own.’ She kissed his forehead. ‘Tomorrow, the doctor said you should start having salt water gargles, four times a day, so I’ll let Isobel know in the morning and she can bring them to you at the proper times.’

He pulled a face.

‘No arguments! I’ll bring the children in to see you before they go to school.’

*

In the morning Ursula ushered Ann and Finlay into the bedroom as promised. John was sitting up in bed wearing his blue and cream striped pyjamas and looking rather flushed. His voice was husky but he had improved a little.

‘As you can see, your father is quite poorly. The doctor came last evening and has given strict instructions that he must rest and not talk.’

John made the sign of buttonholing his lips and pulled the eiderdown up to his chin.

Ursula looked at the two school-uniformed children. ‘This has left us with rather a difficulty.’

‘The Great Lafayette,’ said Ann, crestfallen. ‘We won’t be able to go.’

‘You will be going. I have a solution.’ Ursula turned to Finlay, who was staring out of the window, not giving anyone his full attention and obviously embarrassed at seeing his normally robust father in bed. ‘Finlay, you will take Ann to the theatre this evening.’