Sometimes she took Gus on the train to Ayr to see her own relations, but that was visiting and a duty. If she was honest Netta’s arrival did give the boy days out from under her feet. She would be fifty next year and coming to that awkward time of life when she felt tired and crabbit, flushed one minute, chattering the next. She ought to see Dr Begg about the flooding each month but it would have to get worse before she submitted herself to all that poking and prying down below. She might have to have it all taken away, and who would see to things then? It was not the sort of complaint she could discuss with anyone. Peg prided herself on keeping Nichol affairs firmly behind closed doors. The less people knew about their business, the less there was to surmise. She turned to see Netta holding out a box.

‘I found this in the loft: the old gas mask and a programme. Do you remember the Dixeys and the other evaporees? I thought Gus would like to see this old relic.’ Peg stared at the box. ‘Would I ever forget those devils! First I put up with Papes and then came yon Sheenies.’

‘Vida Bloom was no trouble, nor Arnold – not like the Dixeys! I’ve been thinking about that time when Vida first taught me to sew properly? What a wizard with her fingers and those invisible hem stitches.’

‘There’s no many would have all that strange palaver into their hoose like I did.’ Peg was remembering the noisy arrival of the mother and son to their billet with various pots and pans and dishes to be kept strictly for their own use. They had been bombed out of their tenement in Glasgow. Mr Bloom was a tailor with the army abroad. Vida was a tiny, frail young woman with her hair falling out from jangled nerves. Her hands shook constantly, a puff of wind would have blown the poor soul away. She was also in a state about Arnold’s education.

‘I’m sure you’ll be duly rewarded,’ muttered Netta, bristling. Peg’s comments were as usual icy and sharp, like water from their deepest well.

‘You made enough racket at the crack of dawn. I thought we’d elephants clomping over our heads! Did you find yer mother’s photographs? They’ll be packed away in a box somewhere to keep them out of the light. Your schoolbooks are up there too and a load of junk. I’ve no touched anything.’

‘If the Air Raid Warden had seen what’s stuffed up there, he’d have declared you a fire hazard! Honestly, Peg, it all needs a good sort out. Gus can help me go through the cases later.’

‘Plenty of time for that when we’re pushing up daisies. It’ll be all yours then and no doubt you’ll make a bonfire of it all.’