Nana was just calling back that she loved Olivia too, when the train driver blew the whistle, causing her to start.

They waved until their granddaughter had disappeared from view.

Tucking her hand into the crook of her husband’s elbow, Matilda told Ivor, ‘We need to find my old diaries in the attic.’

He pulled a disgruntled face. ‘Why? Just so you can see what William told you back in the day? I don’t see as it matters what he says, the man doesn’t know how to tell the truth. It wouldn’t surprise me if he believes his own lies.’

Her eyes flashed up at him. ‘So you think he’s lying?’

Her husband gave a half-shrug. ‘I can’t see why, although if he were, it would be a real humdinger!’

She tutted irritably. ‘I reckon you’re too lazy to go into the attic to check.’

‘It’s nothing to do with me being lazy, although I’ll admit I don’t relish the idea of going up there, because I can’t see what good can come from it.’

Nana sucked her lips in before letting them out with a smacking noise. ‘Because there’s something really fishy about all of this, and I think we should have questioned him a long time ago, instead of turning a blind eye and taking his word on everything. Let’s face it, Ivor, we were both surprised at how well he handled the situation.’

Her husband’s patience was beginning to wear thin. ‘What could he possibly be hiding that was so awful? No matter which way you look at it, our great-grandchild didn’t make it. In my book, that’s as bad as it gets.’

Matilda agreed with her husband, but deep down she had an uneasy feeling that William was hiding something much bigger than the death of their great-grandchild. The question was, what?

Back in Shirehampton Maude and Josie were eager to hear their friend’s news regarding her trip home to Liverpool.

‘What’s the city like?’ asked Maude, as Olivia joined them at their table. ‘Mam and Dad say it’s not too bad, and not to worry, but I’ve heard the news reports same as the rest of you, and I think they’re playing it down so as not to upset me.’

Olivia set her lips into a grim line. ‘It’s bad, Maude, but the people are in good spirits, which is what’s important.’

Maude nodded. ‘I thought as much.’ She gently blew over the surface of her tea. ‘So how did it go with Ted?’

Olivia briefly considered her answer. ‘Good. As you’d imagine, it was a bit awkward at first, but once we got talking it was as if no time had passed.’

Gazing steadily at Olivia, Josie rested the side of her face against the palm of her hand. ‘What news did he have on your father?’