I think they are old enough to do those things now. Lilibet is nine and Margaret almost five. I shall ask the permission of the Duke and Duchess of course, and I suspect we would have to have a detective or two with us, but I would be glad of them! Imagine if I lost the Princesses!

It will be a welcome change (for me) from the usual games of sardines and hide and seek.

We are all in awe of Her Majesty. She can be very imposing. She comes into the schoolroom now and again to watch a lesson or two. The girls adore her and although they are on best behaviour Margaret can always make her grandmother laugh with a little song she has made up or a silly dance. I cannot believe that I no longer squeak with nerves when she appears, but she is so good and kind that I am beginning to take her company in my stride. Something I never dreamed I would have the confidence to say!

I cannot believe that I have been here for more than three years.

I do wonder sometimes where I would be now if I had gone to Glasgow and got my degree. Probably working in the tenements. But it has all worked out for the best. No regrets.

I have good news, too. I shall be home for the summer. A whole six weeks for you to get thoroughly tired of me, and me of you! That is a joke, of course. I am so looking forward to seeing you.

My fondest love,

Your Marion xx

Chapter Eleven

Dunfermline, August 1935

‘Welcome home, Marion.’ Her mother opened the door, wearing a tartan apron. ‘Come on in. I’m baking a Dundee cake for you.’ She looked at her daughter with a critical eye. ‘It looks as if you could do with some – you’ve lost weight.’

‘It’s running after the girls,’ Marion answered sharply. Her mother could never resist a criticism.

‘Aye, I was skin and bone when I had you. You ran me ragged for the first ten years.’

Marion held her breath and counted to ten. ‘Where’s Dad?’

‘Where do you think? In the garden, of course.’

Marion went to find him. He was kneeling on the grass, grubbing up dandelions.

‘Hello, Dad.’

‘Hello, lassie.’ He wiped his hands on his old trousers and held them up to her. ‘If I get up now, I’ll never get down again. Come and give me a kiss.’

She knelt and he gave her a hug. ‘My, but you’re a sight for sore eyes.’ He held her hand in his big earthy ones. ‘Your mother’s been on at me all week. Get the garden done. Wash the car. Don’t come in the house with your shoes on.’

Marion smiled. ‘She’ll never change.’

‘Aye. She’s got a good heart, but sometimes I pretend I can’t hear her.’

‘I’ll tell her, shall I?’

‘Don’t you dare! She’ll have me at the doctors getting my ears syringed.’