As the two men waited for the women to enter the kitchen George was aware of feeling sick to his stomach in a way that even the interminable slaughter of the war hadn’t caused. He had witnessed horrors beyond a man’s imagination and he still couldn’t think of their Terry and Robert without wanting to scream and shout at God for the way his lads had died, but through it all he had held the images of Cissy and the girls deep in his heart as justification of what he was fighting for. Family was everything; it was what they had fought for and what his brave lads had died for. It made the sacrifice worthwhile.

When Olive walked in ahead of her mother her face was set in stiff lines and around her thin lips ran a white border as if painted on the flesh. She didn’t look at Adam, keeping her gaze on her father. ‘You wanted me?’

George didn’t rise to her tone, which had been confrontational. ‘Sit down, lass. We’ve things to sort out.’

For a moment Olive contemplated turning round and defying him, defying them all. Her mother had told her what Adam had said and it had shown covertly in her manner that, however unwillingly, she believed him. Gone was her mam’s indignation and anger for her; instead Cissy’s face had expressed bewildered disappointment and sorrow. Olive upbraided herself for being so hurt by it, knowing it was nothing to what she would have to put up with in the coming weeks. Adam marrying her would stave off the worst of people’s derision, at least to her face, but she knew full well that behind her back the rumours would be scandalous. She would have to get used to scorn and contempt from now on. What folk didn’t know they would make up. Sliding down onto a chair, she waited.

‘Adam here has explained how this thing has come about,’ George said quietly. ‘I’d like to think it was a moment of madness on your part that got out of hand, but be that as it may, your jealousy of your sister has resulted in a bairn. That being the case, the one I feel the most sorry for in this whole sordid mess is the child, closely followed by Ruby. She’s taken herself off to other parts, by the way, I don’t know if your mother told you?’

Olive remained silent, merely shaking her head.

‘Well, she has, so I think we can say that your intention to separate Adam and Ruby has been successful. Adam’s parents are coming to the house shortly and you will be present in the discussions that will have to take place. No disappearing to your room. Is that understood?’

‘Yes.’