Queenie dashed down to collect it. It must be from Mary. It had to be.

Thanking a rather bemused-looking Betty and the man who’d delivered it, Queenie ran back up the stairs before ripping it open. For the first time since her horrendous ordeal, she managed a smile.

‘Who’s it from Queenie? Mum?’ asked Viv.

‘No. It’s from Mrs O’Leary. We’re going home tomorrow, Viv, but you mustn’t say anything to the Briggs. I will do the talking just before we leave, OK?’

Viv was stunned. ‘What! How come? I thought Mum said we weren’t allowed home yet?’

‘We’re going to surprise Mum. There’s been no more bombs, so we’ll be fine.’

‘But we should tell Betty as soon as possible. Her and John have been ever so kind to us. It’s rude to wait until just before we leave to tell them. And what about Ivan? He’s been kind to us too. He even let me drive his tractor yesterday.’

‘You what! When?’

‘Yesterday afternoon, while you were sleeping.’

Queenie grabbed her sister by the shoulders. ‘You say nothing and you go nowhere near Ivan again, d’ya hear me?’

‘But why?’

‘Because I bloody said so. He was looking at me funny that day I went shopping alone with him and he said some odd things. I don’t trust him, Viv. Not as far as I can throw him.’

‘Is that why you’ve been acting strange?’

‘I’ve been ill, Viv. You know I have. You heard what the doctor said. There’s a bug been going round the village.’

‘Yeah, but you’ve still been acting weird.’

‘I’m bored, that’s all. Bored out of my brains. I can’t wait to get home, see Mum, Dad, Aunt Edna, Mary and all our friends.’

‘Neither can I.’

‘Well, start packing your bits then and not a word to anyone. OK?’

‘OK.’

Betty Briggs was stunned the following morning when Queenie announced at 11.45 a.m. that she and Viv were being picked up at noon and would be returning to London. ‘I’m so upset you didn’t tell me beforehand, girls. I would’ve cooked you a lovely farewell dinner last night had I known. I take it that’s why you received a telegram?’

‘Yes, Betty, and I’m sorry I never told you beforehand, but one of our family is really sick, and we didn’t want any fuss,’ lied Queenie. ‘Thank you so, so much for taking Viv and me into your home and looking after us. This is for you, and I would like you to give this to John. It’s just a little thank you gift, something to remember us by.’

Betty’s eyes filled with tears. Since her sons had left home the farmhouse had felt very empty and it had been lovely having the girls around. She’d spent hours teaching them maths and English, and had given them numerous cooking and baking lessons. ‘You must say goodbye to John and give him his present yourself. He’s out the back. I’ll call him. Ivan will want to say goodbye to you too.’