Nain looked up quickly, her butter knife extended, and said one word: ‘Sam?’

Glenys nodded shyly. ‘Yes. He’s . . .’

‘He’s my father,’ Mo said conversationally. ‘He likes you ever so much. One day when he’d been to the shops in Ruthin asking if anyone had seen you, only nobody had, he cried. He pretended the wind had made his eyes water but Jimmy and me knew he’d cried. And after that he said there was no point in searching for you, Auntie Glenys, because he said your letters were postmarked Newcastle upon Tyne, and that’s so many miles away, you wouldn’t believe.’

‘Oh, darling Mo, don’t tell me any more,’ Glenys said, tears trickling down her own cheeks. ‘But I’m back now, and though I shall have to return to my camp at the end of the week I’ll try to get back to Weathercock whenever I have a spot of leave.’ She turned to the older woman. ‘Can you put up with me for just a few nights, Nain? I’ll be really good and help in any way you name. And I’ll start by helping you to butter those scones . . .’

But on these words the back door burst open and Jimmy and Taid, and a tall dark-haired girl in Land Army overalls, came into the room.

Glenys went straight across to the old man and gave him a hug, then flushed at her own daring. Taid had always been shy with her; now that she thought about it they had never even shaken hands, but now he returned her embrace with delight. ‘So you have come back to us. I’m glad,’ he said simply. ‘But you’ve missed our Sam.’

The glance Nain shot at him was full of warning. ‘It’s all right, Gethin; she’s seen him,’ she said, and turned to the girl who had just entered the room. ‘Sally my dear, this is Glenys Trent, who had your job until she went and joined the ATS. Glenys, this is Sally Probert, our much-valued Land Girl. And here’s Jimmy. You’re lucky to catch him, because he’s got a berth aboard one of the ships bringing goods across the Atlantic, and has to return to it at the end of the week.’

The two girls shook hands, but Jimmy was so overcome to find Glenys present that he could do little but grab her hand and tell her in a breaking voice how much he had missed her.

Glenys smiled at him. ‘Oh, Jimmy, it’s so good to see you! If I’d met you anywhere but here, though, I don’t believe I would have recognised you. You’re taller than I am now and a good deal heftier! In fact I’m surprised you haven’t been called up.’

Jimmy looked gratified. ‘I can’t join the Royal Navy until I’m a bit older, but for the time being I’m very happy in the merchant fleet,’ he admitted. ‘At least I’m doing something for the war effort. But oh, Auntie Glenys, it’s so good to see you!’