The trio pushed their way through the revolving doors to find that a light drizzle had begun to fall. Hospital visiting must have just come to an end, for as they hesitated on the pavement people began to stream out of the hospital and a long queue formed at the nearest tram stop. Tess and Jonty were still clutching their baggage and Tess would have been glad to have hailed a taxi, but the majority of the visitors were waiting for trams or buses and there was no sign of a taxi rank, so she supposed they must do likewise. When she suggested it, however, her companions disagreed. ‘Judging by the length of the queue it’ll be hours before you can get on the tram or bus you want, and then we’ll be downright unpopular because of all our luggage,’ Jonty pointed out. ‘Is it too far to walk?’ He grinned at Albert. ‘A couple of hours away from Bell Farm and she’s forgotten how to use her legs! Come on, Mr Payne, you take her left arm and I’ll take her right and we’ll get her moving between us.’

Tess laughed, assuring her old friend that no help would be needed, and very soon they were at the tobacconist’s shop and Albert Payne was unlocking the door, leading them up the stairs and ushering them into his neat little flat. Once in the kitchen he put the kettle on the stove and asked Tess to make tea whilst he showed Jonty the room which he would occupy whilst he was in Liverpool.

‘My flat and that of Mrs Williams are very similar,’ he told the young man. ‘I’ve planned for a long time to turn my spare bedroom into a proper bathroom, but I’ve never actually got round to doing it.’ He pulled a face. ‘I’m afraid I’m a great one for putting off making decisions. In fact, this horrible accident has already taught me a much-needed lesson. Mrs Williams and I have been talking about starting an ice cream parlour somewhere in this area, but we’ve never actually got round to doing anything about it. But now I can see that one never knows what life has in store, and in future carpe diem shall be my motto.’ He smiled at his young companion. ‘You’ll find the bed is already made up, for though I had no idea that you were coming back with Tess I had an intuitive feeling that someone might need my spare room and rushed home this morning to get it ready. There’s a clean towel on the rail and soap and a flannel by the basin, but the water in the ewer will be cold, I’m afraid.’

Jonty looked at his hands, then at his reflection in the small round mirror on top of the chest of drawers. ‘I’d like a wash, and I don’t mind the water being cold,’ he said. ‘I really do appreciate your kindness, Mr Payne.’

‘It’s a pleasure,’ Albert said formally. ‘I’ll leave you now, but the tea will be brewed in ten minutes and I dare say you could do with a bite to eat. I’m sure young Tess would pop down to the bakery and buy a cake . . .’