‘And worked the land and drove tractors,’ added Lily.

Tom nodded as they reached Kirkby Steepleton and pulled up outside Laurel Cottage.

‘It will take time, but eventually society will see that women are equal to men – or does that sound too patronizing?’

‘No, Tom, you’re making sense and I’m hopeful you can spread the message.’

‘You mean with Neanderthals like Stan Coe?’

‘He’s a lost cause, but perhaps you could nudge John Pruett a little.’

Lily could see that Tom was searching for the right words. ‘John is a fine man,’ he said at last, ‘but simply a product of his generation. He’s more than ten years older than me.’

‘Sorry, I didn’t mean to criticize my colleague. It’s unprofessional, and John has been very helpful to me.’

‘He’s a lucky man to have you alongside him.’

Lily smiled, then leaned across and kissed him on the cheek. ‘You say all the right things.’

‘Not always.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘Occasionally my sense of timing is poor.’

‘In what way?’

‘Well, there’s something I want to ask you and it’s been on my mind for a long time.’

Lily stared up at his honest face. ‘Go on, just say it.’

‘Well … I was wondering what you thought about … you know … marriage.’

Chapter Sixteen

Crowned at Last!

It was Tuesday, 2 June, Coronation Day, and Ragley village was decked out for a carnival. Union Jacks hung from every upstairs window on the High Street and colourful bunting stretched across the road as Lily cycled into school. She had agreed to meet John Pruett and Edna Trott in the school hall to collect all the dining tables and carry them outside for the party tea on the High Street that afternoon.

Lily had arranged with her mother that she would help with the preparations in Ragley during the morning and then return to Kirkby Steepleton to spend time with Freddie at his school party during the afternoon. The evening was another matter, and she hoped it involved Tom. A busy time was in store, a national holiday and a day of celebration.

Little did she know it was destined to be a day of surprises – a day she would never forget.

In the vicarage Vera was enjoying an early-morning cup of tea as she listened to the radio. Billy Cotton and his Band was playing ‘In a Golden Coach’, their new record to celebrate the Coronation.