“That’s the one thing I do understand. I imagine she lives in a fancy world where anything is possible.”

“I’ll take a bet, with her face, that in a couple of years she won’t know us, she’ll have climbed so high.”

Barbara stepped away from him.

“Don’t say ‘us’ in that positive way. You know I still can’t marry you. Daddy’s better, but this walk to the cottage is the first decent one he’s taken for months. If I go he’ll die of boredom and loneliness, cooped up seeing nobody.”

“Well, couldn’t we marry and live with him for a bit? I might get a decent slice of sick leave. Won’t be the same thing as being on our own, but it’ll be a lot better than nothing.”

“If only we could, but you’ll be stationed somewhere sooner or later, and then Daddy would make me join you.”

“Might go East again.”

“You are only saying that to weaken me. You know it’s unlikely after malaria. Anyway, you’ll have to spend a good deal of your leave in London, won’t you? What about your business?”

“Yes, that wants disentangling. Easier now Janet’s here, but I could go up and down, I suppose.”

Barbara’s voice had tears at the back of it.

“Don’t go on. I want you all to myself so terribly. Don’t weaken me. I simply can’t leave Daddy alone. I’ve made up my mind to it.”

Dick put his arms round her.

“Don’t worry, little sweet. I can wait. Let’s go and fetch your father. It’s time we were toddling home.”

At the side of the house Barbara stooped and picked up Hoover. She clutched Dick’s arm and whispered “Ssh.” Together they stared at the colonel and Maggie.

Dick put his lips against Barbara’s ear.

“Jiminy Cricket! I never thought of that.”

Donald and Janet had walked to the copse where they had first met. As Janet joined him he had pulled her arm through his.

“You are going to marry me, aren’t you? In spite of all I thought about you.”

“Well, I thought some things about you too. You know I love you.” Walking across the fields she said: “But don’t let’s be engaged until after Gladys is out of your house.”

“Oh, mercy! I’d forgotten her. I could strangle the wretched woman.”

“Sheila’s the one to strangle. Gladys really loves you. Poor Gladys!”

“She’s got a job, anyway. Broadstairs is crazy to have her. He’s sending her a letter tonight making her a very decent offer.”

Janet paused, struck by an idea.

“Wouldn’t it be simply glorious if they married? I mean she’d be marvellous as a headmaster’s wife.”

“Doesn’t deserve anything. She’s made you unhappy, blast her!”