She knew that she had blown it with Tommy, that what she had said would always be between them. It was her wicked vicious tongue that had taken her over. It was not even the truth. Just words spoken in temper, a temper brought on by hearing the truth. She felt the useless tears again and swallowed them down. She had no time for tears now. But, oh, she was hurting inside, she was in an agony of pain.

The door was opened and Mrs Horlock bustled into the room. Briony looked at her with new eyes, saw the aged look of her face, the way the skin had sagged, the heavy jowls and ruddy complexion, and suddenly it occurred to her that years were passing with a sameness that was startling.

‘Come on, girl, get yourself up and eat this toast! I’ll cook you a proper breakfast later when the main work’s done. The bloody help is no good at all, a couple of nervous children! By Christ, you get what you pay for these days all right. Still, they’ll have to do and they’re showing willing so I mustn’t be too hard on them.’

She dumped the tray of tea and toast on a small table beside Briony’s bed.

‘Your mother’s arrived, by the way, sticking her great galloping oar in where it ain’t wanted!’

Briony ignored the tirade and sighed gently.

‘Look, lass, I don’t know what happened with you and your man, but he’s sent a message for his bags to be ready to be picked up first thing tomorrow morning. Now I know you’ve had a fight, but this is your sister’s wedding day and you’ve got to show willing. You and him have always fought like cat and dog. But he’ll be around with his tail between his legs as usual, and everything will be all right.’

Briony shook her head. ‘No, he won’t, Mrs H. This is the finish.’

‘Oh, Briony girl. Listen to me. Whatever has happened with you and your man, it’ll all be resolved before you know it ...’

‘No, that’s just it, Mrs H. Things were said last night that can never be retracted. Can never be forgotten. I blew it with Tommy. I pushed him too far this time.’