Robbie came thumping down the stairs and stopped on the bottom step, taking in the sight of Michael. Katie had just pulled off the hat to reveal his head of black curly hair. Robbie’s was shorter, lighter.

‘Robbie,’ she said. ‘This is the friend I told you about: Michael. How about we find the pair of you something to do, eh?’

‘Football,’ Robbie said emphatically.

‘But . . .’ Em was about to protest, but Michael was already heading towards Robbie, seemingly fascinated by the sight of him. He stood staring up at him, wide-eyed, and Robbie, a step higher than Michael and already taller by two years, looked down and, seeing an eager follower whom he could command and teach, became instantly well disposed.

‘Don’t s’pose he’s much good. But I’ll try and show him,’ he said in a weary voice, which made Katie laugh. Watching her, Em saw that something in her had changed. She seemed more relaxed than she had ever been.

‘Well, it’s stopped raining outside,’ Cynthia said. ‘They can go out in the yard, if you don’t mind them getting grubby. There’s just about enough room for them to kick a ball around.’

‘I remember it,’ Katie said, looking round her. She sounded quite emotional. ‘Goodness, yes, I remember this house . . .’

Michael, hat on again, followed Robbie outside.

‘I’ll go and have a look – see they’re all right,’ Cynthia said. ‘You girls go and get some tea.’

In the back room, while Em made tea and they were suddenly silent, Katie still kept looking round.

‘It seems so long,’ she said. ‘And yet you’ve been here all this time!’

‘Well, I don’t live here any more of course,’ Em said. ‘Only I thought it’d be better if we met here. Sit down – would you like a piece of cake? We made a sponge.’

And then, as Em had dreamed so many times, there they were, sitting at the table, drinking tea together. She looked shyly at Katie, wondering where they were going to begin.

‘I had a lot on my plate when I saw you in town that time,’ Katie said. ‘You know, just after the war.’ The memory had obviously been troubling her. ‘I had a new job, was trying to find somewhere to live, and Michael was small – I didn’t seem to have room in my thoughts for much else. I was sorry afterwards – wished we’d arranged to meet or something . . .’

‘Well,’ Em made a face, ‘I suppose I was on my way to a hanging, as well.’

‘Oh yes – goodness, so you were!’

Cynthia popped back in to say the boys were getting along fine. ‘Robbie’s very much in charge,’ she said. ‘But Michael seems quite happy.’

‘It’s good for him,’ Katie said. Em watched her as she spoke to Cynthia, with a sense of wonder that she was here, and thinking how nice she looked, how pretty.

‘Don’t you worry – just pop out every now and then. I’m going to go and see Dot,’ Cynthia said. ‘Leave you two to it. Joyce and Vi are out, so you won’t be disturbed.’