She was exhausted when she made her way to the drawing room to tell Mary about her visit to Colneyhurst, and she was surprised to find her mother seated on the sofa in deep conversation with Mary. They both looked up with a start when she walked into the room, putting Judy in mind of two children caught doing something naughty.

‘Is there something I should know?’ Judy looked from one to the other.

‘Wilfred has asked me to marry him,’ Hilda said, blushing rosily. ‘I know it’s quite sudden, although we’ve known each other for ten years, and quite ridiculous for a woman my age, but …’

‘But nothing, Ma.’ Judy rushed over to give her mother a hug. ‘Don’t be silly. If you love each other, of course you must marry him.’

‘That’s what I said.’ Mary smiled smugly. ‘Faulkner is a good man and he’s been here for as long as I can remember. I don’t see what’s stopping you, Hilda.’

‘My leg,’ Hilda said in little more than a whisper. ‘He hasn’t seen me undressed, and I’m afraid he might find me repulsive.’

‘Of course he won’t.’ Judy squeezed in between them on the sofa and put her arm around her mother’s shoulders. ‘He must know about your injury. You’ve never kept it a secret.’

‘I know, dear, but it’s different when you’re married.’ Hilda glanced anxiously at Mary. ‘It’s one thing having a kiss and a cuddle, but when you’re married you share a bed … well, Mary knows what I mean.’

‘I’m not a child, Ma.’ Judy released her mother with one last hug. ‘If it worries you so much just show him.’

‘What?’ Hilda cried. ‘Lift my skirt in front of a man? I’d die from mortification.’

‘Ma, you want to marry him, don’t you?’

‘I’m considering his offer.’ Hilda pursed her lips primly.

Judy looked from one to the other, shaking her head. ‘I don’t see how you can get round it in any other way. Although, I suppose if you were to sit behind a screen, and I lifted your skirt for you, we could show Wilfred without causing either of you any embarrassment.’

Mary covered her mouth with her hand, barely disguising a chuckle. ‘That sounds sensible, Hilda.’

‘I don’t know. I’d still find it awkward.’

‘You won’t see him,’ Judy said firmly. ‘You’ll be hidden except for the bit of you that is causing the problem. If he finds it disturbing, I’ll know by his expression.’

‘It’s the most practical solution, Hilda.’ Mary rose from the sofa. ‘I think I need a glass of sherry wine. You must both join me. I never drink alone.’ She moved swiftly to the bell pull and tugged it so hard that Judy was afraid she might pull it down.

Judy turned back to her mother. ‘Well, what do you think?’

‘I don’t know, dear. It all sounds a bit theatrical, not to say embarrassing. There’s no getting round the fact that I look like something from a freak show.’