‘Not many people know this, Miss Evans, but ah’ll tell you as a personal friend.’

Vera frowned. She did not consider herself to be a personal friend of this loquacious little man. Also, her feet were getting cold, but Septimus was on a roll. ‘Ah’m a member of t’Stag Beetle Society an’ one day ah may be president.’

‘Stag beetles?’

‘Yes, they’re wonderful creatures.’

‘I’m sure, like all God’s creatures, they are indeed a blessing.’

‘So would y’like t’see my collection?’

‘Your collection? Are they dead?’

Septimus looked puzzled. ‘Dead? Yes, o’ course they’re dead. Ah ’ave t’stick pins in ’em for m’display.’

‘Oh dear,’ said Vera, visibly shocked. ‘In that case, no thank you.’

‘Never mind, Miss Evans, ah know women can be a bit squeamish.’

Vera was beginning to feel unwell. ‘Anyway, I need to get back to school, so goodbye, Mr Flagstaff.’

Septimus stared at the woman of his dreams as she walked briskly across the High Street. ‘M’friends call me Bernie,’ he said quietly to himself. It was then that he looked in the window of the General Stores and had an idea.

In Doris Clutterbuck’s Tea Rooms Nora Pratt had returned from school and was in the kitchen polishing spoons. She had spent 3½d on a copy of Picturegoer magazine. The latest issue featured the film star Janet Leigh wearing nothing but a bath towel and Nora wondered if she could adopt the same pose.

Also, something new and exciting had happened in Nora’s young life. The publication of the first UK singles chart in mid-November had been every bit as good as Nora had hoped and she was pleased that the first number one, ‘Here In My Heart’ by the American jazz singer Al Martino, still held that position four weeks later. She was also happy that Vera Lynn had three records in the Top Ten, including Nora’s favourite, ‘Forget Me Not’.

She flicked through the pages and, after considering the various merits of Rock Hudson, or ‘Mr Beefcake’ as Mrs Clutterbuck preferred to call him, alongside David Niven, the debonair English actor, she decided the handsome American was her favourite. Nora still dreamed of acting stardom, though she knew her inability to pronounce the letter ‘R’ was a significant setback. However, Doris, as the president of the Ragley Amateur Dramatic Society, believed Nora’s enthusiasm deserved some reward so had put this apparent impediment to one side and given her a part in the annual village pantomime.

For Nora it was the first step to stardom.

At the end of school John Pruett was walking through the entrance hall on his way to collect his gift for Lily from his car. Through the open door of the staff-room he saw Lily and Vera looking at a familiar plant and discussing it. He walked in and stared. ‘It’s a poinsettia,’ he said in surprise.