Molly had kissed her grandchildren then, taking Rosalee by the arm, walked up the drive,to Briony’s house. Rosalee was slow and Molly had to fight an urge to drag her along. At forty, Rosalee had lasted a lot longer than they had expected. Her weight was enormous, but she waddled through life happily enough and everyone doted on her, especially the twins. As they walked through Briony’s front door, Ciss, hardly able to contain herself with excitement, whispered: ‘Have a guess who’s here, Moll? Tommy Lane!’

Molly’s mouth dropped open. ‘You’re kidding?’

Cissy shook her big fat face ‘til her cheeks wobbled. ‘I ain’t. He’s in there now with Briony, Bernie and Marcus, as large as life!’

Molly divested herself and Rosalee of their coats in double quick time and, taking Rosalee’s hand again, went into the drawing room.

Tommy and Briony were sitting on the chesterfield by the french windows, and Bernie and Marcus were in easy chairs either side of the fireplace. Rosalee, waddling in behind her mother, looked at Briony and as always clapped her hands together and said in excitement: ‘Bri, Bri.’

Briony got up from her seat. Kissing her sister, she led her to the chesterfield, placing her between herself and Tommy. He took Rosalee’s hand and squeezed it.

‘Hello, Rosie love.’ He was genuinely pleased to see her.

Rosalee for her part smiled a huge toothless smile and said, ‘Tom.’

Everyone in the room was absolutely amazed.

‘Jumping Jesus Christ, did you hear that!’ Molly’s voice was low with shock.

As if showing off, Rosalee said once more, louder than anyone had ever heard her speak before: ‘Tom.’

Marcus shouted, ‘Well, I’ll be buggered!’

And Briony, quick as a flash, shouted back, ‘Not in here, you won’t!’

Even Molly laughed then.

‘Didn’t I always say she could talk more than we thought, Mum, didn’t I?’ Briony’s voice was so happy even Molly was gladdened at the sound of it.

‘You did that, Briony. You did that. Now I think I’ll have a drop of hot rum to celebrate. Would anyone like to join me?’

Briony felt as if her ship had indeed come in. Rosalee was more animated than she had ever seen her, she was drinking without help, and Tommy was sitting so close. She couldn’t wait for night to come so she could leap into bed with him and experience again the things she had felt that afternoon.

‘How’s herself?’ Molly’s voice was confidential as she enquired after Mrs H and Bernie laughed.

‘We’ve been up to her. She’s as right as the number ten bus, Mum.’

‘I’ll pop up to her meself in a minute. Poor old soul she is.’