‘Go – you are keeping them waiting.’

While Piotr went off downstairs Marek pulled Katie swiftly into their room and into his arms.

‘Good morning, my darling!’ He beamed into her face, then kissed her enthusiastically on the lips.

‘Ooh, you’re terrible!’ she laughed. ‘Come on – let me go. I only came up here to get Michael’s shoes!’

But for a moment she snuggled into his arms and kissed him back.

‘Listen – Piotr’s coming back.’

Footsteps thundered up the stairs and he came rushing into the room, grinning. ‘Aha, caught you. I knew you two would be all “lovey-dovey”’ – he said the words as if reading them mockingly from a dictionary – ‘behind my back!’

Marek said something in Polish that sounded fairly ripe, then went on. ‘Come on – you are going to marry Miss Susan?’

Piotr became solemn and gave a little bow.

‘As matter of fact there is big news . . .’ He paused for effect. ‘Miss Susan has boyfriend!’

‘WHAT?!’ Katie and Marek reeled in exaggerated surprise. Marek fell back on his bed, legs waving in the air as if poleaxed by this information.

‘Yes, she has man called Percy who is fish man – he is coming to collect her today for taking to pictures.’

‘Oh, well, that’s lovely!’ Katie said. ‘You mean he’s a fishmonger? Oh, I know who you mean – he’s a great big, strapping bloke!’ She laughed. ‘Oh yes, just right!’

‘Her mother is very happy,’ Piotr said.

‘I bet she is! Oh well, that’s nice news, it really is. So what did they want you for?’

Marek sat up, still grinning.

‘They offer me a room. We have many rooms, they say. Why you not come and live in one of them? But, I am thinking, why do I go and live in room of these nice ladies? Why not Agnieska live next door with nice ladies, and I stay here with Marek’s stinking feet?’

‘Actually, Marek, that’s a good idea,’ Katie said, serious now and full of relief at the idea that things might not have to change as much as she thought. ‘Your sister could have a room to herself next door, with ladies to look after her. It might be nicer for her.’

Marek began to look pleased. ‘You know, Piotr – you have some brain in your head for once. What did you tell them?’

‘I said I ask you.’

‘Weren’t they a bit disappointed,’ Katie asked, ‘not having you instead?’

‘Well, yes, of course,’ Piotr shrugged, ‘but I tell them about Agnieska, little bit, and they . . . You know, really, they are very kindly ladies. I told them we come to visit and they looked pleased as. . . . How you say it?’

‘Punch?’ Katie suggested.

XI

EM

Fifty-Five

December 1948

‘Eh, bab – don’t forget your tokens!’

Em turned as her mother-in-law called from the front door. In the past she would have found Edna’s help interfering, but she had learned to be more accepting as time went by. She had to admit that Norm’s parents had been very good to them.