It was only when Robert met her mother that life began to settle. He was a loving man who gladly took Maggie and Marion on. But trauma leaves scars, and Maggie’s scars hurt when things did not go the way she had planned. The pain made her judgmental, difficult. Marion knew it was fear that drove the behaviour, that her mother loved her underneath all the criticism and hateful words. When she was growing up she had resented her mother’s behaviour, but Robert had always been there to smooth the waters. She had watched and learned.

She said now, ‘Mum, please. Let me explain.’

‘I don’t want to hear.’ Maggie was sulking now. ‘What will I tell our friends? You have thrown everything I have ever done for you back in my face, and for what? For two overprivileged little royal Princesses! They will never have to be ashamed of their one pair of boots with holes in. They will never have to deal their fathers hitting their mothers, or the pain of hunger, day after day, will they?’

‘Maggie!’ Robert, who never raised his voice, shocked his wife into silence. ‘Stop.’

Maggie stared at him as if he were a stranger. Slowly she stood up with all the dignity and tragedy of a burning martyr. ‘I am going to lie down,’ she said, ‘and the bedroom door will be locked.’

Left alone, Marion and Robert said nothing for some time. Then Marion said, ‘I’m so sorry.’

‘Would you like some whisky in your tea?’ Robert asked. ‘I think it’s what the doctor would order. Then you can tell me the full story.’

Her dad listened attentively and when he had heard it all, he said, ‘You were put in a very awkward position.’

‘I was. Have I made the right decision, though?’

‘You are the only person who can answer that, Marion.’

‘I know.’

They were still sitting in the garden, but the air was chill now. Bats chased through the silver shadows cast by the moon. Marion wrapped her arms around her body and rubbed her upper arms for warmth.

‘Before we go in,’ Robert asked, ‘did the Duchess bully you into staying? Was your arm twisted so hard you couldn’t say no?’

‘Gosh, no. Nothing like it. It was my choice.’

He nodded. ‘Good. So, no regrets about Glasgow?’

Marion shivered slightly then said, ‘I might always wonder what I could have done in Glasgow, but I honestly feel the Princesses and I are meant to be together. I have the unique opportunity of preparing them for their life as rounded women who will hold their own in any situation they find themselves. They will be placed to help to recognize causes that they can champion on my behalf. I can make a real difference.’

‘Well said.’ Robert stood up. ‘Now, come in. I’ll make cocoa for you and your mother. You can take it up to her and tell her everything as you just told me. She’ll understand.’