“Well, strike me down,” she said. “If it ain’t ’er ladyship. Come on in, ducks. This won’t ’alf perk up the old bloke.”

“Is he ill, then?”

She nodded as she ushered me into the narrow hallway. “It’s ’is chest again.” She leaned close to whisper the words.

“You know what it’s like in the winter. He’s just had a nasty cold and it don’t seem to go away, so he’s getting my good stew and dumplings ’til he’s on the mend.”

“Who is it, Hettie?” came Granddad’s voice, followed by a bout of coughing.

“It’s me, Granddad.” I went through to the tiny living room. My grandfather was sitting in an armchair by the fire, a rug over his knees. His face lit up when he saw me.

“Blimey, you’re a sight for sore eyes, love. Come and give your old granddad a kiss.”

I kissed the top of his bald head and pulled up a chair beside him.

“Make us a nice cup of tea, Hettie,” Granddad said. He took my hand and held it tightly. “So how have you been, my love? Not seen you since Christmas. Been keeping all right?”

“Oh, I’m just fine, Granddad. More to the point, how are you?”

“Oh, not too bad. You know every time I get a ruddy cold it goes straight to my blooming chest. But I’m getting over it. Hettie’s taking good care of me.”

“I’m going to go to the south of France,” I said. “I wish I could take you with me. It would do you good to be in a warm climate.”

“South of France?” He gave a throaty chuckle. “Not for me, thanks, love. They eat frogs’ legs and all kinds of funny stuff, don’t they? No, I never did take to France. Not after my boy Jimmy didn’t come back from the Great War. So you go and have a good time, but I’m happier where I am.”

I looked at him and squeezed his hand. “Oh, Granddad, why do things have to be so difficult? If only I had some money I could do more for you.”

“Don’t you worry about it, ducks. I’ve got me a nice snug little house and a garden and Hettie to take care of me. I’m happy as a sandboy.”

“I’m going to write to Mummy,” I said. “She should be doing more for you.”

“I wouldn’t take her money,” Granddad said with a brisk shake of the head. “Not German money. Not from him. Wouldn’t touch it.”

“She does have money of her own, I’m sure.”