William was sitting on the bedroom chair, while his wife – the sleeping child in his cradle at her side – reclined upon her pillows, sipping the restorative beef tea which the doctor had recommended.

‘It was a most curious thing that Her Majesty remained throughout on horseback, for her side-saddle inclined her to the left, while she pinned us all to her right. Raby got a fine stabbing when his turn came, but managed to keep his countenance. It’s a wonder more of our heroes were not thus lanced,’ William recounted.

Alice laughed. ‘But I wonder why she did not dismount?’

‘We all did. Perhaps it is because the Queen is of such diminutive stature that she did not want to be standing on her tip-toes all morning. Or perhaps it was so that the crowd in the park would be able to make her out. Her mount was the palest of the horses present and I fancy it may have been chosen so as to be discernible by the many who had congregated to see the ceremony. The numbers were enormous: the press are putting the crowd at a hundred thousand. In any case, it was a most delightful occasion and I was glad to see some of my old friends from the Regiment. Even the sun obliged.’

‘Oh do let me see the Cross of Valour! I long to hold it in my own hands.’

‘It is very plain. The papers have wasted no time in complaining of it: that it is made of only the basest metal and not from gold or silver. They are most indignant on our behalf. It is their view that a decoration so humble is not befitting of the honour it celebrates.’

William came and handed it to her, and stood gazing down at his son.

‘Well, it is not ornate, that is true,’ said Alice doubtfully, turning it over and then over again. She knew she needs must conceal her disappointment, but this was a very dull article. The ribbon was more eye-catching than the cross suspended from it. Somehow she had expected the weight of it in her hand to compensate, a little, for all the long months of her husband’s absence; or at the least to make vivid to her the glory of him in the field of battle. But it was little different from holding a tarnished penny.

‘Mrs Lockwood would like to pay you a call – shall you mind? She has something for you.’

‘If she does not linger too long I should be happy to see her. But the doctor says I must rest to keep up my strength for nursing.’

‘I am sure, as a mother herself, she will not stay too long. She is in any case naturally reticent.’

Alice felt a little prickle of irritation.

‘Indeed. I would say mousy.’