Queenie felt the colour drain from her face. ‘No, please don’t call them. We really don’t want any fuss. It’s our Aunt Edna. She’s dying you see.’

Viv looked at her sister in astonishment. Their mum had always taught them never to tell such wicked lies in case they came true.

At that very moment, John walked through the back door. ‘Any chance of a cuppa, love? I’m parched.’

Tears rolled down Betty’s cheeks as she told her husband the girls were going home at short notice because a family member was seriously ill.

‘Why didn’t you tell us yesterday? Betty said you had a telegram, so we guessed it must be important. We would’ve loved to have given you a proper send-off,’ John said, in his thick country drawl.

Queenie looked at her shoes. ‘Viv and I were too upset to want any fuss. We’re very close to Aunt Edna. She’s the only aunt we have.’ It was nearly noon now and she hoped Patrick wouldn’t be long. Mary had said Patrick would pick them up in his car.

Betty opened her present and cried even more. ‘They’re beautiful slippers, girls. They’ll keep my feet lovely and warm in the winter months and whenever I wear them, I will think of you.’

‘Ahh, bless ya. You shouldn’t have,’ John said, as he put the new pipe to his mouth. ‘It’s been a pleasure having you stay with us and I know my Betty will miss your company. She always wanted a daughter,’ winked John.

Betty hugged Queenie and Viv close to her chest. ‘Please write to us. I would hate to lose touch with you.’

‘As soon as we are settled at home, I’ll write to you,’ said Viv. She felt awkward and rude that they were leaving at such short notice. As for Queenie’s lies about Aunt Edna, she’d be having strong words with her later.

Queenie was uncomfortable about lying to the Briggs and leaving them this way, so it came as a huge relief when their farewells were interrupted by the sound of a car horn outside. ‘That’s our lift home. Thank you so much for having us. We will never forget you.’

‘Hang on. I’ll bring your cases out,’ said John. ‘I must call Ivan too. He will want to say goodbye to you both.’

When John opened the back door and yelled ‘Ivan’, Queenie knew she had to get out of the house. ‘I’ll let Patrick know we’re ready,’ she mumbled, bolting for the front door.

She made it no further than the doorstep before colliding with Patrick, who was just about to knock. ‘You all right, darling?’ he asked, giving her a hug.

‘I just wanna sit in the car. I’ve had a bug.’ Queenie’s legs were like jelly at the thought of seeing Ivan again.

John brought the cases out and Queenie froze as she heard Ivan’s voice.

‘Get out the car, Queenie. Don’t be so rude,’ hissed Viv.

Queenie couldn’t move. Her legs were temporarily paralysed. She opened the car window instead. The monster was standing there, between Betty and John. ‘Thank you for all you have done for us, Betty and John. We won’t forget you.’ Queenie could hear the fear in her voice.