‘How kind of you to remind me, Dr Stirling. The colour of a heart, my mother used to say, is lightened or darkened by shades of kindness and thoughtfulness, putting others at their ease, warmth and generosity. It’s not the splash of brightness on the outside, all the clothes and possessions, but what’s inside of us that matters. When you live by yourself you soon see who is friendly and who is not. Matron Jean has a heart of gold, welcoming me to the Scotia Club. Ginnie’s crowd made me feel an outsider, small and insignificant. I’m sorry but you asked me.’

‘Aye, she’s young and had it easy.’ Drew came to his fiancée’s defence. ‘I’m sure she’s a diamond at heart.’

‘I hope not, for your sake. Diamonds are brilliant but very hard. I’m sure that’s not what you meant. Here we go again, putting the world to right and making judgements.’

‘You’ll see some pretty black despair and blue hearts in Oldroyds. Life can be cruel and unfair to children through no fault of their own. To be honest, it’s a grim job but Ginnie is a great distraction. She’s the only girl I know who can dance all night and down her bubbly faster than me, but she seems to stay sober and be up with the lark each morning. Funny, isn’t it?’

‘Sewing does that for me. Times flies so fast when I’m lost in it.’ Netta told him about her hopes to open her own bridal shop, fill a gap in the retail trade. ‘All very modest, just in the planning stage, but one day I’ll make it happen.’

‘Good for you! I wish you luck. You’ll need it with all the restrictions.’

‘Apart from Gus, sewing’s the only thing I ever wanted to do. Rationing can’t last forever.’

They came to the parting of the ways back to the crowds and the tea tables. ‘Hope to see you about this place, Netta, your help is much needed here.’ Drew raised his Panama hat and smiled. She nodded and walked back to the Scottish dancers. It was time for their second display.

Drew watched the dancers swirling around the lawn and one in particular always caught his eye. It was funny how he could say anything to that girl and she listened as if she was interested. He would like to have told Netta how he had been approached by the Legion to talk to a group of ex-prisoners of war about aftercare and rehabilitation. There was some concern about the Jap POWs who were still not fully recovered from their ordeal. Some of the stuff they came out with to each other was a revelation to Drew. His own European experiences had been harrowing enough but theirs were something else.