Now he looked suddenly boyishly self-conscious. ‘I thought you’d know who it was from. ’Course I didn’t know about the other bloke in your life, now did I?’ He was teasing her now and the brief anger had gone. ‘I sent one to – to Rosie too, so they’ll know I’m on me way home.’ His embarrassment deepened. ‘But I wanted to see you first. After all, Rosie’s got me for the rest of me life . . .’ His voice was a hoarse whisper and Kate knew then that deep down, he still felt about her as he always had, but knew also that life had to go on. They could not cling morbidly to the past and their smashed childhood dreams. He squeezed her hand tightly and she returned the gesture. They sat holding hands across the table.

‘So – how did you find out where I was?’ she prompted.

‘Mavis. As soon as I landed in England, I rang Suddaby. Some stuck-up woman on the switchboard said you weren’t there anymore, but that’s all she would say. So I rang back again a bit later and got hold of Mavis. She told me you were staying with the Godfreys.’ He grinned. ‘But that’s all she would tell me. You’ve got some very loyal friends.’

‘Good old Mavis,’ Kate murmured and inside she was bubbling with laughter to think just how confused Mavis would be feeling now.

‘Why aren’t you at home, then?’

‘Me mam won’t have anything to do with me now – because of the baby.’

‘Huh!’ Danny grunted expressively. ‘I might have known.’

Kate sighed. ‘Oh, it’s not that simple. Me grandad explained a lot of things to me. I’ll tell you all about it sometime. Not now, but sometime.’

‘But you’re all right with the Godfreys? You’re happy there?’ She nodded, but he was not convinced. ‘You sure? I can’t imagine you living in a city for ever.’

‘Oh, I’m getting more used to it. I take the baby out in the pram to the Arboretum and up the hill to the cathedral.’ She smiled. ‘I love that cathedral – I really do. And sometimes we get right out of the city into the countryside. Besides, I’m so lucky to be able to work from Mrs Godfrey’s front room. What I’d have done without her and Peg, I don’t know.’

He nodded and was thoughtful for a moment. Then he looked up. ‘What do you call her?’

‘Who?’

‘Ya baby?’

‘Oh,’ Now it was Kate’s turn to be embarrassed. ‘I hope you don’t mind – I called her Danielle.’

He stared at her for a moment and then threw back his head and laughed. ‘You little devil! That’ll set the tongues wagging again.’

‘You’re not angry, are you?’