Her greeting is met by a jumble of gauche responses. Patches of pink have appeared on Gwen’s cheeks and at once Jack realises that this woman – this grand dame of local society who now glides from table to table exchanging a few polite words with the tongue-tied women standing to attention behind – can be none other than Gordon Allingham’s mother. Lady Allingham. The woman Gwen soon hopes to call ‘Mother’. As she draws ever nearer, he is aware of Gwen’s breath catching.

‘Don’t they look pretty arranged like that … all those lovely colours? So eye-catching.’

And then she is gone, leaving behind a subtle hint of lily of the valley.

‘Did you see?’ Gwen’s face is alight with excitement, as she leans towards him in confidence. ‘Did you see how she singled me out?’ Jack can almost hear her heart thudding against her ribcage. ‘I’m sure she did it on purpose. He’s spoken to her, he must have. The way she smiled at me!’ Her joy is tangible. ‘Don’t you see, Jack? She knows. She knows who I am and, more importantly, she knows exactly who I am to Gordon!’

Chapter Twenty-Two

Gwen

15th August 1945

Iris Jennings, the constable’s wife, bundles into the kitchen without invitation as they are eating their dinner to share her elation that Japan has surrendered and the country is finally at peace. There has not been the spontaneous celebration that followed the announcement of VE Day. The village has, for some time, been planning for a more organised event to celebrate the end of the war and has been patiently waiting for the day those plans could be set in motion. That day has at last arrived.

‘We now have a military-style operation of our own to launch, ladies,’ Iris declares pulling back a chair and settling herself down. She rests her arms on the table. ‘There’s not much time, so it’s going to be all hands to the deck. It’s lucky we have the plans already prepared.’

The victory celebration is to be held on John Powell’s meadow next to the church, right in the heart of the village. Had Lord Allingham been in better health it would, no doubt, have been hosted at the Hall, but the present arrangement pleases Gwen.

‘Now,’ Iris continues, ‘I’ve got the marquees going up this evening – Gwen, you said you had some bunting we could use?’

‘Yes, that’s right. Dad got some in for the coronation. It’s in a box in the cellar somewhere.’

‘Well, I’d be most grateful if we could borrow it. We want the whole area decked out the best we can. I won’t disturb your dinner for it now, but is there any chance you could drop it down to the church later?’

‘Yes, yes, of course. I’ll dig it out and bring it over.’