Sarah knew Mo had good intentions, and though she had tried, she couldn’t force a smile or drive the devastating thoughts of Tommy from her head. As she walked along, she decided to take the long way home. She wanted to go through Battersea Park, a place that held so many precious memories of Tommy and Mr Sayers. They were both gone now, but she would hold their memories in her heart forever.

She wandered around the park, gazing at the trees Tommy had climbed and recalling his squeals of delight. The hills he’d run up and tumbled down, and the pond where they’d fed the geese. Mr Sayers’ allotment had long gone, but now she strolled the paths they’d once walked together, and though her pain was deep, her memories were fond and she never wanted to let go of them. She’d been meandering for a long time when she found herself at the Guinness Clock, one of Tommy’s favourite places. It began to chime five, and the intriguing mechanisms sprang into action. She looked to her side, as if Tommy was next to her, and recalled him trying to guess the sequence of the clock’s movements. First the windmill would spin, then the soldier would pop up … no, it was the other way around. He never did guess it correctly … and, with a sob, Sarah knew that now he never would.

Chapter 41

George had set up his stall, but had spent the rest of the day fretting about Sarah. At least Mo was with her, but he still didn’t like leaving. Roger had stayed out of his way, but as they began to pack away their wares, George knew he had to pass on the message from Sarah. He strolled over to Roger’s stall and picked up an orange, which he threw in the air and caught.

‘Are you going to buy that orange, or are you training for a new circus act?’ Roger asked sarcastically.

At the man’s tone, George felt his temper flare. He remembered what Sarah had said, and fought to calm himself. She wanted them to be friends, but he knew that could never be. Roger had seduced Sarah the moment his back had been turned, but that wouldn’t have been so bad if he’d given her the respect she deserved. He thought about throwing the orange in Roger’s face, but that would probably turn into a fight and the man wasn’t worth the bother. Instead he said calmly, ‘Sarah asked me to tell you that she’s back home now.’

‘Oh, right, thanks for letting me know.’

He didn’t sound interested, and George frowned. ‘Will you be going to see her?’

‘Er … yeah, I suppose so.’