He demurs in the doorway when she enters her own room, but she beckons him in. He unfolds his wooden rule and holds it against the window’s width. Gwen’s pencil scratches across her notepad as he reads out the numbers etched in black.

‘I’ll have to go into the village tomorrow to buy some more blackout fabric,’ she says, as he changes the angle of the ruler to measure the window’s height. ‘I do hope they haven’t sold out.’ She jots down the measurements he gives her. ‘Perhaps I’ll cause a scandal and purchase my wedding lace too,’ she whispers, an impish grin dimpling her cheek.

‘Have you and Gordon a date in mind?’

‘No … not yet, but …’ She tucks her hair behind her ear. Jack is struck by her sudden nervousness. ‘It’s the summer fete in a couple of weeks. It’s held up at the Hall, and … Gordon wants to wait until then. I think perhaps that’s when he’s planning to introduce me to his parents.’

‘But your father, Gwen, he can’t find out then. You must have plans to tell him before that?’

‘Yes … yes, of course.’

‘Or are you thinking of coming home tomorrow with an armful of lace, hoping he’ll draw his own conclusions?’

The teasing note in his voice elicits a smile. ‘No …’ she laughs.

‘But you’re clearly hoping to start your wedding dress?’

‘I won’t be making my wedding dress. I’m going to wear my mother’s. It’s wrapped in tissue paper in a box in the attic as perfect as the day she wore it. I take it out, every now and then, just to have a look. It will be my way of having her at the wedding, wearing her dress. She was so happy with Dad … perhaps it will bring me the same good fortune.’

‘Do you think you need a good luck charm to find happiness with Gordon?’

‘Of course not!’ She pulls an indignant face. ‘Gordon and I are very happy together. Dad will come to see that – hopefully sooner rather than later. He’ll come to realise Gordon’s intentions were always honourable.’

‘And you’ll get to wear your mother’s dress.’

‘Carrying a bouquet of white roses and trailing ivy, symbolising friendship, fidelity and love – all things I want my marriage to have.’ She smiles. ‘That’s what I’ve always dreamt of, and that’s all that I want for my wedding day – my mother’s dress and that bouquet.’

‘Then I hope your dreams come true.’ He clears the gruffness from his voice and takes a new tack. ‘It might be best to try out these blackout frames. We’ll get them in place later and I’ll take a walk around tonight to check they’re doing their job.’

‘Are you questioning my abilities?’ She laughs.