Sunday flushed with pleasure. She was wearing a light brown and cream heavy silk day dress with a darker brown coat over the top of it and a large hat boasting feathers that had been dyed to match her outfit. For most of the time she didn’t have the inclination to worry about changing fashions but Lavinia had insisted she should have this one as a treat – and Sunday loved it.

‘Thank you, sir,’ she answered coyly, smiling prettily at him. ‘You don’t look so bad yourself.’

In the back seat, Kitty giggled and Maggie grinned too as the car motored on.

Soon they were strolling amongst the market stalls in Nuneaton town centre, enjoying the hustle and bustle. Kitty took Sunday’s hand and hauled her in the direction of the cattle market, followed by Tom and Maggie. She loved the atmosphere there and was fascinated by all the animals that were for sale. The little group wandered amongst the pens as red-faced farmers bartered noisily over chickens and cows and sheep.

Eventually Sunday told them: ‘It’s time to say goodbye to the animals, girls. I have a few things I need to get for Cook, then if you’re both very good I’ll take you to the tea rooms for an ice cream. How about that?’ Even Maggie looked momentarily happy at the prospect of such a treat and the four of them hurried on their way, their faces rosy with the cold.

However, people repeatedly stopped to tell Kitty what a pretty little girl she was. Ignoring Maggie, they commented on her lovely hair and her striking eyes or stared at her admiringly – and soon Maggie’s happy mood had soured. It didn’t matter where they went, it was always the same, and the attention that Kitty attracted only made the other girl feel all the more desperate for someone to love her, for deep inside she was feeling very vulnerable and alone. Even so, she enjoyed the shopping trip and the visit to the tea rooms and so she was in a slightly mellower frame of mind by the time they all returned to Treetops.

‘I do worry about the way Maggie seems to be so envious of Kitty,’ Sunday confided to Tom as they were getting ready for bed. She was sitting at her dressing table brushing out her long fair hair as he lay in bed propped against the pillows watching her. Even though they had now been married for a good ten years he still couldn’t get enough of her and adored the very ground she walked on.

‘The problem is that even though they’re both very young, Maggie has already realised that Kitty is prettier than her,’ he answered, and Sunday nodded as she paused with the brush still in her hand. ‘And,’ he added cautiously, ‘I know you don’t mean to do it, my love, but you do rather tend to favour Kitty.’