He shook his head and surprised her when he answered sadly, ‘I don’t want her to come back, Serena. You must have observed our marriage was over a very long time ago, and I think we will be better apart. I dare say when Miranda finishes her schooling in a couple of years’ time she will join her mother at her grandparents’ home, so it looks like it’s just me and my father left here from now on, but I’m sure we’ll survive.’

Serena had to rapidly blink back tears as she looked at him. He didn’t deserve this; he was such a good man and she so wanted to put her arms about him and comfort him, but of course she couldn’t.

‘Anyway, how are my father and Ruby?’ he asked and she was glad to change the subject.

‘Your father is quite well and asking to see you when you get back, and Ruby is improving by the day,’ she was pleased to be able to tell him.

‘Excellent, I shall go and see my father straightaway.’ Ignoring the food on the tray, he drained his cup and with a nod towards Serena he left the room.

*

‘Ah, you’re back then, lad.’ His father stared at him as Oscar entered his room.

‘Yes, Father, I’m back. I trust they’ve been looking after you while I’ve been gone?’ His father seemed to have shrunk in the short time he’d been away, or was it that he had never noticed before? he mused. Despite this, though, his brain seemed as sharp as ever.

‘Miss Wood allus looks after me, she’s a good woman,’ the old man responded as he patted the bed beside him. ‘And did you get Miranda settled in that school all right?’

Oscar sat down wearily and nodded. ‘I wouldn’t say I left her settled, but I got her there,’ he answered, wondering why he felt so guilty.

‘Good thing an’ all. You should have done it years ago. Happen she wouldn’t have turned out so much like her mother,’ the old man said sharply. Although Miranda was his granddaughter, they had never been close. ‘An’ I suppose you know by now that Lydia is gone an’ all?’

When Oscar nodded, he sighed and his old wrinkled hand rested on his son’s. ‘Try not to be too upset,’ he urged. ‘She ain’t never been much of a wife to you. I tried to warn you before you married her but at the end of the day you have to let your children learn by their mistakes. You’re not thinkin’ o’ goin’ to fetch her back, are you?’

‘No, Father. There would be no point,’ Oscar admitted despondently.