‘We shared the costs equally,’ she said flatly. ‘Your inheritance has not been touched – and I find it appalling that you should carry on like this when your poor father is lying there helpless and in pain.’

‘Father knows my feelings,’ he countered. ‘I’m not saying anything he hasn’t already heard.’ He glanced across at John before turning his cold gaze back to Doris. ‘Sooner or later, he’ll realise what a fool he’s been and send you packing – you’ll see.’

‘Michael.’

They were both startled by John’s rasping voice, and Doris could feel the heat in her face at the realisation he must have heard some – if not all – of their conversation.

‘Michael, you will apologise to my wife,’ John managed. ‘And then leave. I do not wish to see you again.’

‘I’m not apologising to her, and I’m staying right here,’ retorted Michael.

John made a tremendous effort to grasp Michael’s jacket sleeve. ‘When I die, and I’m telling you now, it won’t be for a long while yet – you’ll get your share of the proceeds from the family home I sold. I’ve arranged for you to receive the lump sum from your mother’s estate on your next birthday, on the proviso you make no further trouble. The home I share with Doris is already fully in her name, so you can’t touch it. If you contest the will, or threaten Doris in any way, your inheritance will go straight to an army charity.’

His hand slipped from Michael’s arm and flopped onto the bed. ‘Just go, Michael,’ he said wearily. ‘I have nothing more to say to you.’

Michael’s face was so bloodless Doris thought he was about to faint, but he rallied enough to scrape his chair back and loom over his father. ‘You’re a fool,’ he hissed. ‘Mother must be turning in her grave at how easily you’ve been duped.’

He stormed out of the ward, startling patients and visitors alike as he slammed through the double doors, leaving them swinging wildly behind him as he marched away down the corridor.

‘Oh, John,’ said Doris tearfully. ‘I do wish you hadn’t heard any of that.’

‘Well, I’m glad I did,’ he said on a sigh. ‘And although it breaks my heart that my son should be so bitter and unforgiving, I can see him now for what he really is.’ He reached for her hand. ‘I’m sorry he distressed you, my love. But I don’t think we’ll see him again, so dry your eyes and give me a kiss.’

Doris softly kissed his cheek, overwhelmed with love and sorrow for him at the loss of a son he’d once adored, and who’d utterly betrayed him.

26

It was now March, and with the coal shortages, it was a battle for Peggy to keep the range fire burning so she could cook and keep the radiators working. Beach View was a large house, and with so few people living in it at the moment it felt colder than usual, so she’d shut off the dining room and the spare bedrooms and, like the war years, the family now spent most of their time in the kitchen – the only truly warm room in the house.