‘Sharon,’ said Ronald gruffly, ‘is now twenty-one. Her birthday was last month and Diane broke down and cried, which she hasn’t done for years. I was choking with emotion myself. Alan had sent Sharon a birthday card. He never fails to. It was propped on the sideboard with one from Diane and me, and I had to stop myself from saying, “What a bloody farce!” Sharon wouldn’t know a birthday card from her big toe…

‘Diane asked me to cut the birthday cake, she always makes one for Sharon, but I didn’t get around to it. We had to blow out the candles first, and when we’d done so I heard myself say, “There go twenty-one wasted years of our married life.” It was then that Diane broke down. But instead of comforting her, I told her I couldn’t go on watching her martyr herself to no purpose. Either she stopped it, or I was getting out.’

Ronald paused reflectively, fingering his tie. ‘I didn’t know I was going to say it, Marianne. It just came pouring out of me. I expected Diane to tell me to get the hell out. Instead – well, she said she hadn’t realized what she was doing to me. I believe that, though you may not. You see the way it’s been – as if nobody but Sharon existed for her. And I have to say that was very hard for Alan while he was growing up. He was only seven when Sharon was born, and when I think back—’

‘It doesn’t seem to have harmed him,’ said Marianne, ‘and I don’t recall his ever being other than kind and gentle with his sister. You’re blessed with a son who is right for the calling he’s chosen, Ronald. Alan is equipped by nature to be a pastoral rabbi and his flock will be fortunate to have him.’

‘I agree, and my hope is that one day the way he’s turned out will be the consolation to his mother that it is to me. When we get to New York, Sharon will live where she will be well cared for. The trust fund my father-in-law set up for her will pay for it. As for the new career I mentioned, I’ll be working with two of Diane’s American relations who own a clinic.’

‘I’ll miss you, Ronald, but I couldn’t be more pleased for you.’

‘Thanks. But once Uncle Nat is retired – well, I want you to promise that you won’t let him go to seed.’

Why me? she silently replied.

Chapter Ten

While Ronald was planning his move to New York, Leona was experiencing a slice of life in Florida, which in some respects seemed to her more like a soap opera.