Her mother drew a deep breath. ‘The way I see it is this: what’s done is done, and you’re going to have to live with the consequences. As for Ted?’ She shrugged helplessly. ‘Your father’s dealing with Ted, so that’s out of your hands.’

‘Why does he have to control everything?’ said Olivia wretchedly.

Her mother swept a vague arm around the room. ‘Because it’s in his nature, and it’s also why the factory is so successful.’ She closed her fingers over Olivia’s and squeezed them gently. ‘I’m afraid you’re going to learn the hard way that life isn’t a fairy tale and there isn’t always a happy ending.’

‘Did you think that you and Dad would have the fairy-tale ending?’

‘I think we might have, had your grandfather not passed away so unexpectedly.’ She leaned back in her chair. ‘It knocked your father for six – I don’t think he’s ever recovered from it – and my illness doesn’t help.’

‘That’s hardly your fault!’ said Olivia.

Her mother smiled. ‘I know, but it doesn’t make things any easier, and your father’s not good with his emotions, that’s why he tries to make light of my illness. If he doesn’t acknowledge it, he can pretend it’s not happening and that I’m not going to …’

Olivia interrupted her mother before she could finish the sentence. ‘Don’t, Mum.’ She glanced fleetingly at her mother who nodded her understanding. Olivia’s mother had once been the heart and soul of the Campbell household, but the illness was weakening her and she was no longer able to stand for long periods, because her legs, once the envy of many a woman, were beginning to deteriorate.

In a bid to change the subject, Olivia asked her mother to tell her the story of how she and William first met.

A smile twitched on Catherine’s lips as she relayed the tale.

‘Dad had forgotten his lunch and Mam was late taking the laundry to Mr Wong’s, so she asked if I’d take his lunch to him whilst she got on with the washing. Your father saw me from his office which overlooks the factory floor and he asked who I was. When his secretary told him, he came down and asked if he might take me for lunch. I knew he was older than me but he was very charming, and I didn’t see the harm, so I said yes.’ She looked out of the window into the garden. ‘He took me to the Adelphi and treated me to food the like of which I’d never tasted before.’ She glanced back at her daughter. ‘I know you find it hard to believe, but your father was a different man back then, charming, considerate, endearing, and that’s why I found myself falling in love with him.’