But as sleep had claimed her at last in the early hours of a chill city morning, she imagined she felt the weight of Tibby on her feet and heard the creaking of the timbers in the roof above her head.

She had enrolled for a secretarial course at the Lincoln Technical College and although the term had already started, there was a place because two people had dropped out after the first week. She was interviewed and accepted immediately and hurried along the road each morning to learn shorthand, typing, and book-keeping.

‘The teacher makes us type in the dark,’ she giggled to Peggy, ‘so that we learn to touch-type properly and don’t look at the keyboard.’

‘How do you know what you’re typing?’

‘There’s a projector and screen and she shows a film of the keyboard and someone’s fingers typing and we just watch that and try to do the same.’

‘Sounds difficult.’

‘Actually, it’s fun!’ Ella said. ‘We type to music too, to learn to keep an even rhythm.’

‘I’m glad you’re enjoying it, dear.’

‘Oh I am, but . . .’ It was then that Ella’s face clouded and she asked about her father.

Peggy clasped her hands together, her eyes shining. ‘It’s been on my conscience for years.’

‘Whatever do you mean?’

‘Let’s make a cup of tea,’ it seemed as if Peggy always turned to the teapot in times of crisis or with a problem to face, ‘and I’ll tell you everything.’

‘You get the biscuits out and I’ll make the tea.’ Ella smiled, switched on the kettle and reached for the tea caddy, though her fingers were trembling. Did Peggy know something that would help her find her father?

‘I don’t know how much you know or remember,’ Peggy began.

Ella shook her head, frowning. ‘I don’t know anything, except,’ her mouth tightened, ‘that my mother was never married and that’s what caused my gran to be so bitter.’ She returned Peggy’s gaze steadily. ‘I only found out recently exactly why. You see, Gran was a bastard – like me.’

Peggy flinched. ‘Then you’d think she’d be a bit more understanding.’

Ella nodded. ‘That’s what Grandpa’s often said. Even when I was young and didn’t understand what they were on about, I overheard him say it.’

Peggy took a deep breath. ‘Do you remember at your mother’s funeral, you saw a man standing under the trees, in the shadows?’

Ella twisted her mouth, struggling to recall that dreadful day. ‘I – think so.’