She had learned not to fight back anymore. Instead she submitted to him, lying as still as she could and trying not to breathe in the sickening stench of beer and cigarettes.

‘Christ, it’s like making love to a block of ice. You could at least try to look as if you’re enjoying it!’ he’d mocked afterwards.

Anna wondered if he even remembered it now. He seldom seemed to recall what he said or did when he was drunk.

Love and patience, she reminded herself. The drinking, the uncontrollable rages, the lack of trust – they were all down to his terrible war experiences. If she just gave him enough time and enough love, one day she would cure him and then she would have her Edward back.

It was a blustery April day, but Anna could see the beginnings of spring. The trees in Victoria Park were cautiously unfurling their tender green leaves, and there was a slight warmth in the air that hadn’t been there for months.

Perhaps it was a sign that things were changing, getting better, she thought.

Then she turned the corner and saw Ida Church hurrying towards her.

Anna turned away sharply to stare into the window of the draper’s shop while she approached. But as the older woman drew level, she heard her say, ‘Miss Anna?’

Anna forced herself to turn and look at her. ‘Mrs Church. I didn’t see you.’

‘Didn’t you? I saw you.’ Ida Church pursed her lips. She looked Anna up and down. ‘You’re looking – well,’ she said at last.

It was a lie. Anna had caught sight of her reflection in the draper’s window on her way over and knew exactly what she looked like.

‘How are you?’ she asked.

‘Oh, you know – fair to middling. I’ve been meaning to call in and see you, but I didn’t want to run into him.’

Anna tensed. ‘You mean my husband?’

‘How are your mother and father?’ Mrs Church changed the subject abruptly. ‘Have you heard from them lately?’

‘They’re very well. Actually, I was just on my way to post a letter to them …’

‘And your sister? How is she?’

‘She’s fine.’

Mrs Church paused for a moment, then said, ‘Tell you what, why don’t we have a cuppa together at Wheeler’s? Then we can have a proper catch-up.’

‘I don’t have time.’ Anna glanced furtively up and down the street. ‘I promised I’d get straight back.’

‘You can spare five minutes, surely?’

‘No, really – I have to get home.’

Mrs Church’s eyes narrowed. ‘He’s really got you under his thumb, hasn’t he?’

‘No!’ Anna stared at her, shocked. ‘No, not at all. Now if you’ll excuse me?’

She started to walk away, but Ida Church’s voice followed her down the street.

‘Is he still taking money out of the till?’

Anna stopped in her tracks for a moment, then hurried on.

‘It’s a terrible shame,’ Mrs Church called after her. ‘After everything your father did, building up that business …’