George watched his niece. When she had smiled at him then he had been convinced that it was his mother sitting opposite him. George felt the strangeness that came over him at times. As if he was hand in hand with reality one minute and left out, floating in limbo, the next. The room had taken on smoky edges. Nothing looked solid any more. His mind was filled with thoughts, crowded with them as if they didn’t have enough room to manoeuvre. Flickering pictures entered this brimming morass. He saw Geraldine O’Leary with her long beautiful hair lying beneath him. He saw Mandy Kelly and he saw Elaine. They all drifted in and out of his mind, and after every vision this girl was before him. He felt an urge to take his steak knife and push it through her throat. Let the blood bubble from the wound, strangling his mother’s voice.

He could hear her now: ‘Who’s Mummy’s little soldier, Georgie?’

He could smell the sheets on the bed, scented with Lux flakes. He could hear the dreadful ack-ack of the anti-aircraft fire. The bombs were going to land on their house but Mother made them stay in bed while she drank tea and smoked. He could feel the ache in his bowels and the red rawness of his rectum where the tubing had been forced past his sphincter. Sweat was pouring from his brow. He could feel it running on to the pillows with his frightened tears. Why didn’t she come? Why didn’t she comfort him? He was Mummy’s little soldier, wasn’t he?

‘George . . . George. Joss is talking to you, dear.’

He was dragged back to the present and looked around the table, bewildered.

‘Are you feeling all right, George?’ Edith’s voice was concerned.

Joss Junior glanced at his watch. ‘I really have to go soon, Mother, if I’m to catch my plane.’

Edith was immediately concerned. George took the opportunity to try and pull himself together.

‘Natalie’s company gave her the week to see her uncle. I wish yours had done the same.’

Joss Junior smiled. ‘Well, Ma, I’m doing an important job. They can’t afford to let me have too much time off.’

Edith was gratified to hear this.

‘Your father and I will run you to the airport. Finish your meal.’

Natalie stretched in her chair, pushing her long tapering fingers through her hair in a completely feminine gesture. Edith and Joss Senior watched her with pride. George watched her with hatred. Joss Junior took no notice of her whatsoever.

‘Do you want to drive to the airport with us, George?’

‘No. I think I’ll just relax, Edith. I feel so tired.’

‘Do you want me to stay here with Uncle George?’ Natalie’s voice was concerned.

‘No. You leave your uncle, let him have a rest, Natalie. Come with us and see your brother off at the airport.’