It was all Ted could do to stop himself heaving an exasperated sigh. He’d far rather she’d stayed at home if all she was going to do was moan and criticise everything, not that he could say so. ‘Of course, dear, I should’ve been more considerate. I’ll get us a taxi.’ He hailed a taxi and gave the driver the address of the B&B as he settled into his seat. As the cab wound its way through the streets, Ted asked after their friends in Plymouth – how they were, where they were and for any news. Never averting her eyes from the passing scenery, she replied to all his questions with one-word answers, as though she found his conversation tiresome in the extreme. When they arrived at their destination, Ted paid the cabbie and led her up the steps to the boarding house. He knocked lightly on the door, which was swiftly answered by a middle-aged woman with a warm smile.

‘Ah! Mr Hewitt, you’ve arrived!’ She glanced at Isobel. ‘Hello, Mrs Hewitt. I trust you are well?’

Isobel gave her the briefest of smiles before turning to Ted. ‘Can I go up now?’

Ted gave the older woman an apologetic glance. ‘Hello, Mrs Armitage, we’re both well, thank you, but my wife’s rather tired from the journey and would like a few hours’ rest, so if our room’s ready?’

Mrs Armitage nodded in an understanding fashion. ‘I’ll take you up.’ As they reached the upper floor, she opened the door to a pleasant room and handed Ted the key. ‘Holler if you need anything.’

‘How about an elevator,’ said Isobel sourly.

Ted cringed inwardly as he saw Mrs Armitage’s friendly smile freeze then falter. Bidding them a pleasant afternoon, she hastily descended the stairs. Watching her disappear from view, Ted half wished he could have gone with her.

Closing the door, Ted placed Isobel’s suitcase on top of the chest of drawers, then turned to face her, but she had already kicked off her shoes and was lying on the double bed with her back to him. Sighing, he lay down on the bed next to her and reached over to touch her shoulder, but she shrugged him off irritably. ‘Do leave me alone, Ted. Can’t you find something to entertain yourself that doesn’t involve me?’

Pulling his hand away, Ted stood up from the bed. ‘Shall I come back in a few hours?’

She nodded silently.

He descended the stairs and made his way to the front door of the property where he nearly collided with Mrs Armitage, who raised her eyebrows in surprise. ‘You leaving already?’

‘My wife needs her sleep so I said I’d call back later.’

She smiled kindly. ‘I expect she’ll feel more like herself after a nap – it’s a long way from Plymouth to Liverpool.’