‘No, it was more than that.’ Dulcie looked thoughtful. ‘He still likes me, I can tell.’

‘But he’s engaged!’

‘I can’t help that, can I?’

Grace eyed her warily. ‘You’re not going to – do anything, are you?’ she said.

‘I’m sure I don’t know what you mean,’ Dulcie said. But her face told a different story.

‘Yes, you do. Oh, Moore, please tell me you’re not going to try to get him back?’

‘As I said, I can’t help it if he likes me.’ Dulcie shrugged carelessly.

‘But he’s engaged to Sylvia.’

‘He was nearly engaged to me before she stole him from me. I’d only be taking back what’s rightfully mine.’ Dulcie sent her a pitying look. ‘Oh, don’t look so horrified, Duffield. You saw the way he looked at me. He’s still in love with me, I’m sure of it. He just needs a little … nudge in the right direction, that’s all.’

‘Well, I don’t want any part of it,’ Grace said.

‘I’m not asking you to help me. I can manage very well by myself, thank you very much,’ Dulcie said pertly.

And with that she was gone. Grace turned to watch her as she strutted down the ward, her head held high, a new spring in her step. As Grace turned back, she caught the edge of an enamel kidney dish with her elbow and sent it clattering to the floor.

‘Duffield! Is that you making a racket again?’ Sister’s voice rang out down the ward.

CHAPTER SIX

‘Dear Mother, Please excuse the poor handwriting. My fingers are still a bit sore from where a calf stood on my hand this morning. I don’t think there are any bones broken but I have a nasty bruise …’

Anna grinned as she read aloud from her sister’s letter. ‘Trust Liesel!’ she said. ‘What on earth was she doing to have a calf stand on her hand, I wonder? I can’t imagine it.’

It was a bitterly cold Saturday afternoon, and since Anna had the rare luxury of a day off, she was spending it with her mother. Saturday was half-day closing at the bakery, and Anna could hear Mrs Church bustling about in the shop, clearing the shelves and sweeping the floor before she locked up for the day.

Outside, the October weather had turned fiercely cold, but the crackling fire suffused the cosy sitting room with a welcoming warmth.

Anna went back to reading the letter. ‘But at least the calf was friendly. Not like last week, when I was chased by an old sow who took a dislike to me as I was hauling a sack of potatoes up the field.’ Anna paused again, trying to picture it. Just the thought of her sister trying to out-run a pig was enough to make her giggle.

‘Of course, I ran away as fast as I could, but she kept up with me until I backed through a hedge. I managed to get away, but I tore my trousers on a piece of barbed wire. It was very embarrassing, having to walk all the way back down the lane with my bloomers on show …’