When afternoon playtime came, Lily carried a cup of tea on to the playground for John. They leaned against the wall, warm against their backs, and watched the children enjoying their games of hopscotch and leapfrog. John nodded towards the Robinson boys, who were playing marbles on a rough piece of ground at the edge of the school field.

‘Do you know,’ he said, ‘I don’t think I’ve ever heard Malcolm Robinson utter a full sentence. His cousin does all the talking for the two of them.’

‘Let me have a try,’ said Lily with a grin and set off towards the two boys.

John called after her, ‘If you get a sentence out of him it will be a miracle.’

Big Dave and Little Malcolm looked up anxiously when Lily spoke to them.

‘Hello, boys. Are you enjoying your first day back in school?’

‘Yes, Miss,’ said Dave cautiously.

‘Yes, Miss,’ echoed Malcolm.

Lily crouched down so that she was the same height as Malcolm. ‘Tell me, Malcolm, what will you be doing when you get home?’ She spoke slowly and clearly, smiling gently.

Malcolm looked up at his cousin for support but none was immediately forthcoming. His brow furrowed in concentration. There was a long pause. ‘Choppin’, Miss,’ he said.

‘Shopping?’ Lily was pleased to receive a reply.

Dave realized it was time for him to make his presence felt. ‘No, Miss, ’e means choppin’ – y’know – choppin’ wood.’

‘Oh, I see.’ Lily stared hard at Little Malcolm and tried a new tack. ‘And tell me, Malcolm, what do you most enjoy about school?’

‘Dinner, Miss,’ replied Malcolm without hesitation.

Lily was encouraged. ‘Anything in particular?’

‘Plums, Miss.’

‘Anything else?’

‘Custard, Miss.’

Lily decided to seek a different direction. ‘Malcolm, tell me something else about school that doesn’t involve eating.’

Malcolm thought hard. This was a difficult question. Finally he nodded. ‘Rusks, Miss.’

‘Rusks?’

‘Yes, Miss.’

‘But you can eat rusks.’

‘No, Miss.’

‘Why not?’

‘’E gives ’em t’me,’ added Dave helpfully, ‘’cause ’e dunt like ’em.’

At that moment John Pruett came to stand beside them. ‘Excuse me, Miss Briggs, but it’s time for the bell.’

‘Thank you,’ said Lily. ‘I’ll ring it.’

When she turned back the boys had gone.

At the end of school the children stood behind their chairs and said a prayer, then ran outside. The freedom of the local woods beckoned and there were trees to climb.

Lily stared at her desk. Books for marking, slates, chalk, thick pencils and a pot full of raffia needles. After tidying up she walked into the ladies’ cloakroom, took a mirror from her handbag, checked her appearance and reapplied her favourite bright-red Max Factor lipstick, then thought better of it. With a small lace handkerchief she wiped her lips until only a faint trace remained.