Vera, although puzzled by the description, got the message. She spotted Albert Jenkins, the school governor, coming out of the Post Office. Albert was an intelligent man and always supportive of the local school. He listened intently to what Vera had to say and decided to stop by the school to have a brief word with John Pruett during afternoon break.

John was on playground duty when Albert called to him from the other side of the school wall. The conversation was brief and to the point.

‘You mark my words, John,’ concluded Albert forcefully, ‘one day that Stan Coe will go to hell in a handcart.’

John Pruett gave a wistful smile as Albert turned and set off across the village green. Let’s hope so, he thought, but said nothing.

Agnes was concerned when Ruby returned home and told her about Stan Coe.

‘Sit down, Ruby, an’ ah’ll mek some tea. Andy’s asleep, so y’can put y’feet up.’

‘Thanks, Mam,’ said Ruby.

She looked at the contents of Ruby’s shopping bag and sighed. Their income didn’t go far now that Ruby couldn’t do any cleaning. Also the house was distinctly chilly – cold enough for Agnes to have to put on a second pair of cotton lisle stockings to protect her legs.

As she picked up the kettle from the trivet in the hearth she muttered, ‘’E’s allus been a wolf in cheap clothin’, ’as that Stan Coe, an’ ’e were a bully at school as well, so ah’ve ’eard.’

Lily had finally agreed to join the church choir and after school she walked up to St Mary’s Church to join in the practice. Vera was in the process of solving yet another problem. The choir stalls were on either side of the chancel floor and, as usual, Davinia Grint, the lead soprano, was threatening the stained-glass windows with her highest notes. In contrast, Gerald Crimpton was the sole member of the bass section and it was to his eternal misfortune that he suffered from severe nasal problems. In consequence, his contribution had all the subtlety of a creaking door.

An argument had broken out between the two and Vera intervened to introduce Lily.

‘Please welcome Miss Briggs, the teacher from our village school.’ Vera looked at Davinia with a firm expression. ‘Lily is a mezzo-soprano and should complement your beautiful voice, Davinia.’ The self-important soprano was sufficiently flattered to calm down. ‘And Gerald, I’ve brought a nasal spray for you from the chemist.’ Gerald looked delighted and Davinia smiled in triumph while Lily looked bemused.

‘You’ll like Gerald,’ whispered Vera to Lily. ‘He’s the strong silent type – rather like your policeman,’ she added with a knowing glance.

Lily blushed as she recalled the tenderness of Tom’s goodnight kisses.