The more Sarah listened to the women exchange fond memories of their late husbands, the more she realised Roger had never loved her. The only thoughtful thing he’d ever done for her was bring her a bunch of flowers and a toy for Tommy, but that was probably only to impress her so he could charm her into bed. She cringed at the memory of him brutally taking her virginity. No love had been shown, and she regretted letting it happen. It had been so soon after Tommy’s death and she’d been all over the place mentally, craving comfort when there had been none.

A couple of hours later, after the women had enjoyed several glasses of sherry, their laughter was interrupted by George knocking on the door.

‘Tell Mum and Sarah I’ll be in the van outside when they’re ready,’ George said to Joan when she answered the door. ‘But tell them not to rush. It sounds like you ladies are having fun in there.’

‘Come in, George,’ she invited, and opened the door wider just as howls of laughter bellowed from the living room.

‘Nah, I’ll wait out here. That sounds like a blinking witches’ coven in there,’ George said, grinning.

Joan walked back to her large lounge and said to Lena, ‘It’s George. He’s come to pick you and Sarah up, but he said to take your time.’

‘He’s another one who’d make someone a good husband,’ Kath said, ‘and you never know, if him and Julie hit it off, we might be having another wedding.’

Sarah’s stomach lurched. It was one thing to feel strange about George going on a date, but she’d never imagined him married.

George hadn’t been sitting in his van for long when Joan’s front door opened and the group of women emerged. He was winding down his window when Kath came over.

‘Hello, George. I’m glad you’re here. I’ll be popping up to see you tomorrow at the market with that surprise I was on about,’ she said.

‘Oh, Kath. I hate surprises. Tell me what’s going on … please,’ George asked.

‘Well, just in case you don’t bite, I’ll give you the heads-up. It’s my niece Julie. You’ve got to ask her out. She wants you to take her to a dance on Saturday, so make sure you’ve got your shoes polished and a comb in your inside pocket. She’s ever so keen to meet you. You’ll like her, George, she’s pretty and clever too. See, I told you to leave it to me, didn’t I?’ Kath said and winked at him again.

‘Yes, you did, but I wasn’t expecting a date. I’m not sure, Kath. I mean, I’m sure your niece is a lovely girl, but—’