Lily awoke to a new dawn. A shaft of light shimmered on the empty pillow beside her head and, for a moment, she imagined Tom was there. Then she stretched, stepped lightly out of bed and opened the window. In the distant fields sheep munched contentedly on the dew-covered grass, while the branches of beech trees stirred with a sibilant whisper. A breathless promise hung over the land on this perfect morning.

It was also a perfect day for cricket.

Lily smiled as she heard Freddie’s excited voice in the next bedroom. That afternoon it was the annual Easington & District Small Schools Cricket Tournament on the Ragley cricket field and Freddie was one of the boys representing the Kirkby Steepleton under-eight team. Lily thought back to the day Freddie had played cricket with Rudi in the back garden. Soon Rudi would be back in Germany and that chapter of her life would be over, closed for ever.

She also thought of Tom. It was clear he must be busy with his life and she had avoided him during the past three weeks. She missed his companionship and caring manner and wished it could have been different. He was a wonderful man and she knew she loved him.

However, wishing and reality were a world apart and she had to accept the life she had chosen. With a heavy heart she stared once again at the empty pillow beside her own.

At 7 School View a heated conversation was taking place. Agnes had left for the chocolate factory, Ronnie was sitting at the kitchen table and Ruby was feeding Racquel while Andy tried to climb into the posser tub.

‘Ah wish you’d get a job, Ronnie.’

Ronnie lit up another cigarette. ‘Ah’ve gorra job.’

‘Ah don’t mean jus’ lookin’ after them pigeons f’Billy Two-Sheds. Ah mean a proper job. One where y’go out t’work on a Monday morning and bring y’pay packet ’ome on a Friday.’

‘There’s not many jobs like that.’

‘Well that Clyde Dlambulo got one repairin’ motorcycles an’ ’e’s from Africa.’

‘But they don’t pay ’im much.’

‘An’ ’is dad gorra job as a bus conductor.’

‘Ah couldn’t do that ’cause of m’vertigo.’

‘Vertigo! What’s that when it’s at ’ome?’

‘’Igh places, Ruby. Y’go all wobbly. Ah’m gonna tell Doctor Davenport ah’ve gorrit so ah couldn’t go up to t’top deck t’c’llect fares.’

‘Well we need more money t’feed our children, Ronnie, so gerrof y’backside.’

‘What will t’neighbours think wi’ you shoutin’?’

‘Probably same as me – that you’re a lazy so-an’-so.’

‘Ah’m off,’ said Ronnie.

‘Where to?’

‘Doctor’s – wi’ m’vertigo,’ and the door slammed behind him.

In the school office Vera had typed out a list of new admissions. It was lengthy, as the number of children on the roll had grown rapidly.