Jack sits in the silent kitchen, his heart breaking. His return has not been well received, that much is painfully clear, but even so, he does not regret it. He always knew his chances of being welcomed back with open arms were slim, but he could not let the poor odds deter him. He had to come back. He had to try.

The door opens behind him. He twists round and seeing Gwen, he gets to his feet. She takes a deep breath and steps inside, resting her weight against the door as she pushes it shut.

‘What are you doing here, Jack?’

He has pictured this moment so many times: telling her everything. But now he is here, alone with her at last, he struggles to find the words, unsure where to begin.

‘I went home to Newcastle … The town was badly damaged, like. The shipyards took a battering … the city around … my street was gone.’

She appears taken aback. ‘Your mum …

‘I heard the drink got her before all that.’

‘I’m sorry.’

He shrugs awkwardly, wondering how he came to be talking about his mother. ‘There was nothing for me there.’

‘But there’s nothing for you here either, Jack.’

Her voice is firm, her manner cold.

She stands her ground and suddenly he realises she too has changed since he left – matured, strengthened – perhaps even hardened. And yet, he instinctively knows her essence is unaltered, that her sweet heart remains. She is still the same Gwen he laboured beside, stood beside … loved … all those years ago. He has seen it in the unguarded comments and subtle observations contained in her occasional letters. And though he cannot explain it, he feels it keenly now.

‘Tom … he’s a fine boy.’

‘He is.’ Her chin juts up. He sees the wariness in her eyes and wonders where it comes from. ‘And whilst I’ll always be grateful to you, Jack, we’re doing just fine the way we are.’

‘I just …’

‘He’s mine, Jack.’

‘I know …’

‘You have no claim on him.’

‘I know that, Gwen …’

‘Just like you have no claim on this farm.’

‘Of course I don’t. Gwen, this is your farm, your land …’ He cannot hide his confusion. He does not understand what he has said – what he might have unknowingly implied – to make her so defensive.

‘Jack, I agreed to do what I did because you made me a promise: no ties; no comeback. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m glad you’re alive … I’m pleased you survived the war … but I don’t want you here. There is no place for you in my life or in Tom’s life, and your coming here will only confuse and complicate things. So, you need to go. You cannot stay here. Do you understand? You cannot stay.’

‘Gwen, I need to …’