Within days, Em and Norm were due to move in with Norm’s mom and dad, Edna and Bill Stapleton, though Cynthia would still be looking after Robbie on the days when Em worked. Though Cynthia dreaded them going, and the wrench of not having her grandson living there any more, at moments like this she felt the day could not come too soon.

Em wiped her eyes, hurrying along the road to Mr Perry’s grocer’s shop, where she had worked through the war. Mr Perry was a widower and his one son was still serving out east, so her nice little job had just carried on.

She felt like sobbing her heart out, but didn’t want to be seen crying out in the street, so she swallowed her emotions. But oh, how sad and upset she felt. For the past three years and more, since she had had Robbie, he had been her closest relationship, the love of her life. She had invested everything in him, all her affection and energy, telling herself that she had to be both a mom and dad to him until Norm came back – if he did. There was always that terrible thought. She had let Robbie share her bed, needing the feel of his warm little body beside her as much as he needed her for reassurance. The thought of moving him out into a cold, lonely little bed of his own was unbearable to her. Nor could she bear his tears if he was upset. The sound of his distress cut right through her and she would do almost anything to mollify him. She knew Cynthia was right: she had warned Em and told her that she was spoiling him. But without Norm home, there didn’t seem to be any point in doing anything else. She’d do all that in due course.

Norm had been patient at first. ‘It’s bound to be hard for the lad,’ he said, when Robbie screamed when he came near and tried to hold the door shut, so that Norm couldn’t come into the bedroom. ‘I mean, to him I’m a stranger. He’s got to get to know me.’

Em could see that he was hurt, but was trying to make the best of it. At first, torn in half by the needs of her son and husband, she suggested that Robbie sleep in the bed with both of them. But the bed was only a single one, so she and Norm were cramped enough as it was. And Robbie wouldn’t let Norm get into bed anyway. He would start up as soon as Norm appeared and would kick and scream. Norm tried hard, speaking nicely to him to try and calm him down, but it didn’t make any difference. On the third night, Norm stormed out.

‘For Christ’s sake, get that child in order. What a welcome – in my own home! How’s anyone supposed to get any sleep with all that going on?’

And Em was left to get into bed with Robbie and soothe him, until at least they could move him into the little makeshift bed on the floor. It took a long time some nights, as Robbie would not settle and go to sleep. Em was up and down the stairs while the others sat together down there.