What none of us knew, of course, was that the tentacles of war reached everywhere, even to the most tranquil, remote parts of the country. They may not have been bombed in the way that cities were, rationing may not have been so painful and you did not see so many people with disabilities and disfigurements, but the scars of war were there all the same, the trauma hidden deep in people’s heads, as we were to discover all too soon.

But for the moment my concerns were about more everyday matters. ‘What about school? Will there be one for Jimmy, like here?’ My brother loved the bright, sunny school ten minutes’ walk away, where there were plenty of other children like himself. His speech had improved, he could even tie his own shoelaces now and eat his meals with a knife and fork.

‘Don’t worry, my darling, I’ve already checked. The village is only six miles from a large town called Colchester, where there’s a special school for Jimmy and a girls’ grammar for you, with an excellent reputation. You can both go by bus.’

‘But who will look after us?’ Even though everyone had rallied round during Mum’s last few months, bringing food, doing the laundry, taking Jimmy to school and even cleaning our small flat, I’d found myself having to take on most of the domestic responsibilities, making sure that everything was planned for, everything covered. I could just about manage a small flat, with all the shops and friends nearby. However would I cope with a great big vicarage, without any familiar people around us?

‘There’s a housekeeper,’ Pa said. ‘A woman from the village, left over from the previous incumbent. I haven’t met her yet, but everyone says she’s a treasure. Her name is Mrs Diamond.’

‘Hope she lives up to it. Being a diamond, that is,’ I said, hating myself for sounding so grumpy.

Pa gave me a wan smile, clearly hoping to soften my resistance.

A sudden, worse thought. ‘She’s not going to actually live with us, is she?’

‘Oh no, sweetheart. She’s got her own home in the village and will come every day.’

Someone else to do the housework so that I could get on with my own life. Perhaps that would work out all right. I didn’t want to leave London, but to console myself I wrote in my notebook:

Positive thoughts about moving:

1. A housekeeper to look after us.

2. Jimmy would love the freedom of the countryside.

3. I might make new friends.

4. Pa could make friends with God again (very important).