The next two lines had been crossed out.

The sea journey here was a bit dicey. The ship we travelled in was tossed about like a feather on the wind on the way across and most of the men were seasick. Not pleasant as we were packed in like sardines in the bowels of the ship with nowhere to escape the smell. Even so the men were in good spirits and we finally landed in Boulogne to a wonderful welcome from the French people. They were waiting at the end of the gangplank to greet us and shake our hands and then eventually we were loaded into lorries and taken to our barracks, which proved to be no more than a sea of tents set in fields of mud, hardly what we were all hoping for, I have to admit. From here we can hear gunfire and screaming and it’s like landing in hell. The food is pretty dismal too and most of the men are in pain. Their boots are ill-fitting so their feet are covered in blisters and the uniforms while looking smart are itchy after you’ve worn them for a while.

Three more lines had been scribbled out at this point so Sunday hurried on to the final page.

I’m sorry if I sound miserable. Remember it’s not so bad for me as the other chaps so please try not to worry. I’m only to be a groom whereas the young men will be going to the front when they receive their orders. Some of them look like they are still wet behind the ears and nowhere near old enough to be here. Have you heard from Ben, my love? I pray every day that he is safe. Please give everyone there my love and take care of yourself. I can hardly wait until we are together again, and I am living for that day. Please write to me when you can and tell me all that’s going on at home.

Your loving husband,

Tom xxxxxx

Tears slid down Sunday’s cheeks as she folded the letter and slipped it back into the envelope. It sounded truly dreadful out there – and if what the papers were reporting was true, many of the young men who Tom had mentioned might never return to their families again. A cold finger crept up her spine as she offered up a silent prayer, asking God to keep Tom and Ben safe.

In London Miss Fox’s thoughts were also gloomy as she pored over the newspapers. She liked to keep abreast of what was happening in the war and read the papers from cover to cover every day now.

Ruby entered the room as she was still sitting there and asked brightly, ‘What are you looking so glum about, Foxy?’

Miss Fox raised an eyebrow. ‘In case you’d forgotten, we are at war. Isn’t that reason enough?’

Ruby waved her hand airily. ‘Oh, I swear you need something to worry about. How can what’s happening all that way away possibly affect us?’