In Violet Fawnswater’s luxury bungalow she had closed the curtains and watched a film during the afternoon. It was entitled The Pluck of the Irish and featured James Cagney. She had begun to enjoy watching television in the afternoon and looked forward to sharing Children’s Hour with Phoebe.

In the meantime, she had cut out a coupon from her Radio Times. She had decided to send for a sample packet of Weetabix from Mrs Marjorie Crisp in Burton Latimer, plus a free copy of a booklet, ‘Ever-Useful Weetabix’. She picked up her copy of the Radio Times, turned countless pages of radio schedules and, right at the back, found the small number of television programmes. ‘Now, what’s on this evening?’ she murmured.

Back in Laurel Cottage, Lily had made sure Freddie had finished his meal and she was washing the pots in the sink. Florence came to dry the plates. It was clear she had something on her mind and Lily waited for her to speak.

‘I was talking to Mrs Merryweather yesterday, Lily. She’s had some business with one of the local solicitors. Nothing dramatic – just thinking ahead to making a will one day.’

‘Oh yes? This is news to me.’

Florence gave Lily a searching look.

‘Is there a hidden message there, Mother?’

Florence gave a wry smile. ‘Perhaps.’ She dried her hands on the tea towel and pulled out her diary from the pocket of her apron. ‘Anyway, I’ve written their names in here.’

It was Lily’s turn to smile as she wiped her hands and scanned her mother’s neat cursive handwriting. She recalled seeing the brass plates of the solicitors on the wall outside their offices in the local market town of Easington. They would not have filled a prospective client with confidence. Fiddler & Sly specialized in house sales, whereas Crook & Cheatham had a penchant for family discord – or so it was rumoured. The latter triggered some interest for Lily and she copied the telephone number into her own diary for future reference.

At a quarter past seven John Pruett crunched over the snow on Kirkby Steepleton High Street and pulled up outside Laurel Cottage. Florence was in Freddie’s bedroom while the little boy put on his pyjamas. She heard the car outside and peered through the curtains. By the flickering light of the street lamp she saw the headmaster pause, remove his trilby hat, smooth his hair and straighten his tie. She recognized the signs and smiled … And he is a gentleman with status, she thought.

Lily hurried downstairs from her room and Florence was pleased to see how pretty she looked. ‘Enjoy your evening with the television,’ she said.

Lily paused before opening the door and turned to look at Florence. ‘You could go instead of me. I really don’t mind. I could look after Freddie.’

‘No, not at all. You’re expected,’ and she opened the door and saw John’s eager face.