‘Because he knows he can’t control you any more,’ said Nana astutely. ‘He realises his only chance is to guilt you into doing what he wants, but you mustn’t let him, because he’s doing it for selfish reasons, and that’s not on. He used to try it with your mother, only she wouldn’t stand for it, of course.’ She smiled. ‘She did him a lot of good, did your mother.’

‘So, what should I do?’

Nana slipped her hand through the crook of Olivia’s elbow. ‘Whatever you want to do, as long as it’s what you want and no one else.’ She stared pointedly at her son-in-law.

‘You don’t think my leaving would make him miserable?’ Olivia asked uncertainly.

‘He’s already miserable, Liv,’ Nana said decidedly. ‘You staying will just make the two of you miserable, and what good will that do?’

Olivia mulled over her grandmother’s words. ‘If it were anyone else I’d not even contemplate leaving, but I do believe that Dad and I living under the same roof will only lead to unhappiness and bitterness on both sides, him because he knows he’s holding me back, and me because I know he’s being unfair.’ She nodded thoughtfully. ‘I need to make a clean break, and I reckon it’s better to do it sooner rather than later.’

‘Strike whilst the iron’s hot,’ her grandmother agreed.

When they arrived back at the house Olivia left the mourners in the lounge to seek out her father, whom she wasn’t surprised to find leafing through some work papers in his study. She rapped her knuckles against the door to gain his attention. He looked up fleetingly before turning his attention back to the papers on his desk. He spoke abruptly. ‘Yes?’

Olivia entered the room and closed the door behind her. ‘I’ve been giving it some more thought, and after everyone’s gone, I shall collect my things and move in with Nana and Pops. It’ll be nice to spend some time with them before I leave.’

He shuffled the papers into a neat pile, placed them in a folder then gazed intently at her before speaking. ‘Leave? I take it that means you’re planning to apply?’

Oliva nodded.

‘You really think they’re after women like you?’ His eyes rested on her stomach. ‘Only I’d assumed they wanted women who were fit and healthy, and you don’t exactly look either of those to me.’

Olivia blushed. Her father had voiced the same reservation that she’d raised with her grandmother. ‘Nana says they soon whip you into shape once you’ve joined, so not only will I be getting out from under your feet, but I’ll be getting into shape just like you always said I should.’

Her father looked sceptical. ‘They’ve got their work cut out for them then,’ he said spitefully.