She turned and snuggled beneath the blanket, praying for sleep to come, but every time she closed her eyes she saw Delaney. How she longed to see him just once more – to hear his voice and feel his arms around her. Yet she knew that all the wanting in the world wouldn’t change things, and she had no choice but to carry on without him.

13

It was barely light when Sarah and Jane came downstairs with their cases to find Peggy and Cordelia waiting for them in the kitchen. ‘Oh,’ breathed Jane. ‘You didn’t have to get up so early.’

‘Of course we did,’ said Cordelia rather brusquely. ‘We weren’t about to let you leave without saying goodbye.’

‘Sit down and eat something. You’re going to need it for that long journey,’ said Peggy, hurrying to pour cups of tea and put cereal in the bowls.

Jane and Sarah were too keyed up to eat much, but they managed a cup of tea, their eyes constantly darting towards the clock. Their train left at six-thirty and they couldn’t afford to miss it.

‘I’m driving you to the station, so there’s no need to fret,’ said Peggy. ‘Please try and eat something.’

They nibbled a piece of toast with little enthusiasm, and Peggy realised it was too early and they were too tense to enjoy anything at the moment. She left the table and set about making a pile of tomato sandwiches which she wrapped in newspaper and tucked into a string bag.

‘You can take these with you and enjoy them later,’ she said, handing the bag to Sarah.

‘Thanks, Aunt Peggy,’ she said softly before pushing back from the table to embrace a tearful Cordelia.

‘I do wish you didn’t have to go,’ whimpered Cordelia. ‘I’m going to miss you both so much, and I hate the thought of you being so far away.’

‘We’ll come back, Cordy,’ Sarah soothed. ‘I promise. And I’ll send you a telegram as soon as I know anything about Pops and Philip.’

Jane joined in the embrace. ‘We love you very much, Cordy, so you make sure you stay fit and well for when we see you again.’

‘I’ll do my best,’ sniffed Cordelia, gently easing from their embrace. ‘Now, I want you girls to take care out there and look out for one another. The place will no doubt be swarming with soldiers and sailors, and two pretty young things like you need to stay alert.’

Jane bit down on a smile. ‘I’m sure we’ll be fine, and don’t forget, we’ll have Mother to chaperone us.’

Cordelia tutted and dug in her apron pocket for two envelopes. ‘Take these. As you can see, one is addressed to your mother, the other is for you. Wait until you’re on the plane before opening it, please.’

Peggy saw Jane frown before she exchanged a glance with her sister and then tucked the envelopes in her handbag.

‘I feel as if I’m working for the Post Office with all the letters I’m carrying,’ Jane joked. ‘But I’ll see she gets it, Cordy.’