‘No one talks any more, I find. Not about things like that. I suppose it’s their way of putting it behind them.’

‘I feel the same. And I can hardly bring it up now, not while I’m married to someone else.’

‘Quite, I see that. You poor girl.’

Roland didn’t question my need or see it as disloyal to Douglas. We shared his refreshments and talked all the way to Birmingham about Edward, Angus and our lives now.

‘I’m with PEL,’ Roland told me. ‘Practical Equipment Ltd. Furniture design, though I’m more on the admin side. It’s all quite exciting. Fashions are changing fast, of course, and we need new designs, a change of direction. There’s a great deal to do.’ He spoke of his work with infectious enthusiasm. As the train slowed, clanking into the great arching space of New Street, he took my hand suddenly. ‘It’s been marvellous meeting you again, Kate. You’ve so cheered me up.’

‘Probably not as much as you have me.’ I laughed. ‘And thank you for the much needed food.’

‘Ah – thank Auntie Sylvia for that,’ Roland said, gathering up his things.

As we walked out from the platform together I explained that we were still living with my mother.

‘You won’t be going my way then,’ Roland said. ‘I’ve a little place in Edgbaston now.’ He produced an address card. ‘Keep in touch, won’t you?’

‘I will.’ I looked into his sympathetic face and reached out to touch his shoulder. He leaned forward and quickly kissed me on the cheek. ‘Goodbye then, Katie.’

Smiling, I watched him walk away out of the station. The smile locked on my face when I saw that standing a few yards away, watching me with a terrible expression in his eyes, was Douglas.

I walked slowly over, trying to turn the smile on him. ‘It was very good of you to come and meet me.’

‘Was it?’ His voice was hard with fury, the emotion barely controlled. After only a few seconds he burst out, ‘I knew it. Was that him then?’

‘Who?’

‘The father of that – ’ He pointed towards my stomach. ‘That baby.’

I lost my cool completely then, not caring who could hear us. ‘For God’s sake, Douglas,’ I shouted. ‘Don’t be so bloody ridiculous.’

Chapter 24

I went to Elizabeth Kemp. I wasn’t going to let on that I knew about Olivia’s baby. I was saving that for the right moment. But I wanted to confirm the information I had about Alec. I also wanted to goad her. My anger with Elizabeth now was like something chiselled thin and hard. We stood, a few feet apart. She watched me warily, her face cold, aloof.

‘What evenings does Alec go out regularly?’

‘And what business is that of yours?’

‘Tuesdays. Does he go out on Tuesdays?’

‘Quite often.’

‘Any other night?’

‘This is extraordinary – coming here and interrogating me.’

‘When did you last see Olivia?’

She couldn’t meet my eye. ‘Three weeks ago.’