Back in the vicarage Joseph was explaining to Vera about the wonders of television. ‘It’s fifty-five shillings per month from Radio Rentals.’

‘As much as that?’

Joseph took a step back. ‘It includes free tube and valves, Vera, so it’s a bargain, or so the man in the shop explained, and it’s a trial offer.’

‘A trial offer … I see,’ said Vera.

‘And servicing is free and I sent off for the free booklet on how it works. You had to send an unsealed envelope with a penny ha’penny stamp on it. There’s an option to buy it later.’

Vera frowned. This was not what she had expected.

In her classroom Lily was at her desk preparing for afternoon school. She sat there silent as the grave while above her head dust motes danced in the shafts of winter sunlight. The familiar scurrying of tiny mice could be heard, seeking out warmth and food in the dark recesses of the old Victorian building. Lily stared at her register and counted the names again. Fewer children than usual had returned to school at the start of term following a measles outbreak in the village and she hoped they would soon be well again.

She began to think about the evening visit to the vicarage. John Pruett seemed most enthusiastic about collecting her in his car and driving her back to Ragley. Deep down she wished it could have been Tom.

Irene Gubbins had called into the Pharmacy on her way home.

‘Hello, Irene,’ said Herbert, ‘and how are you today?’

‘Ah’m fed up wi’ toilet paper. We buy that IZAL Medicated.’

‘Ah know it,’ said Herbert. ‘In a box. Tough stuff, like strong tracin’ paper.’

‘Ah’ve asked Miss Briggs to only give ’em one sheet each, but does she listen?’ She shook her head.

‘So what’s it to be?’

‘Ah jus’ need some cream for me ’ands, ’Erbert. All that peelin’ an’ slicin’.’

‘Ah’ve got jus’ the thing,’ he said and produced a tube of hand cream as if by magic. ‘An’ ah’ve got summat special.’

‘Special?’

‘It’s Snowfire Face Powder. Y’need t’mek t’most of y’nat’ral charm.’

‘Ah’m not sure.’

‘It’ll give you that finishin’ touch o’ glamour.’ Herbert could see he was close to a sale. ‘Also, ah’ve got some news.’

‘What’s that then?’

‘Y’can’t go wrong wi’ a luxury powder for only eightpence.’

Irene opened her purse, dug out a sixpence and two pennies and placed them on the counter.

‘They’ve gorra telly in t’vicarage.’

‘Flippin’ ’eck! Miss Evans will give that brother of ’ers what for.’