When he had left Mavis, his plan had been to seek out Olivia’s grandparents, but then he had thought of his wife. It was not fair to Isobel for him to be chasing the past when he had problems within his own marriage. So he had dismissed the idea. There was no point in crying over spilt milk, and whilst he would have liked to clear his name, dragging up the past would inevitably open up old wounds for Olivia, which wasn’t fair.

Now, as he drew level with the station clock, he glanced at the time. Isobel hadn’t set foot off the carriage, yet he was already counting down the hours until she left. Ted tutted impatiently. What was wrong with him? Despite her reluctance for Ted to join the forces, she had been the one to make the suggestion that she could come and visit him in Speke, so she was making an effort; he should be pleased. A suspicious frown creased his forehead as he wondered what had driven his wife to come all this way. It was most unlike Isobel to put herself out – if anything, he thought she would have waited for him to get leave so that he could go and visit her. He stood outside her carriage and waited for the guard to open the door. Stepping forward, Ted held up his hand to receive her suitcase.

‘Hello, darling, I trust you had a pleasant journey?’ he said, his lips brushing her cheek as she turned her head.

Taking a tissue from her handbag, she wiped Ted’s kiss from her face, then glanced briefly at him before looking around the station with disdain. ‘Arduous,’ she replied sullenly.

Ted offered her the crook of his elbow and was pleased when she took it. Picking up her suitcase in his other hand, he led the way out of the station. ‘I thought you might like to see where I used to live before we check you into the B&B, as it’s on the way,’ he said conversationally

She rolled her eyes. ‘Do we have to? I’m exhausted after the journey and that tiresome little oik who shared my carriage didn’t stop jabbering the whole time. I’d far rather go to the B&B and get a few hours’ rest. I think I can feel one of my migraines coming on.’