Alexander grunted to himself. Worthy though the royal proclamation was, and well meant too he was sure, he felt it highlighted the difference between the prosperous South of the country and the poorer North. The food shortages which had begun to bite Britain were nothing new to the people of the North East in a way, because here ordinary families had always known what it was to be in need. Men had been struggling to feed their wives and children and keep a roof over their heads long before the war, and Rose had told him how the workhouses were seen as a terrible last resort where all hope vanished. Of course men like Lord Rockingham and Wynford wouldn’t see it that way, he thought, remembering conversations from the past. They always had an answer for everything. The King had called for a national holding-back on bread consumption which was often the mainstay for poorer families, but no doubt Wynford would tell his employees to eat cake instead if they complained. The total unawareness of the French monarchy at a time of crisis had been its downfall; he would hate to see that happen in this country that he loved.

He had never really considered the big divide between rich and poor until he had met Rose; he supposed he’d had no need to if he was being honest, but men like Lord Rockingham and Wynford had always grated on him. That, at least, was to his credit.

The church hall door was flung open and an orderly queue progressed into the premises. Suddenly from outside a vehicle, probably a lorry or van delivering supplies to one of the shops, backfired with the force of a pistol shot. He saw Rose swing round towards him but he was already going down into the trench, down into the mud and bodies, and then the pit was opening and flames were licking up towards him. This time, though, he felt her arms holding him when she reached him and he could hear her voice talking, encouraging him to surface. He blinked up at her, ashen-faced, and the feeling of shame that the attacks always produced was strong, but she was murmuring in his ear, ‘No one noticed. It’s all right, my darling, no one noticed and that was better this time. It was just a few seconds, Alexander. That’s much better.’

He clung on to her waist for a moment, his head against her breast and her chin resting on the top of his head, and then drew back a little. His voice shaky, he said, ‘Go and help the others, they need you.’

‘You need me.’

‘Always, but I’m all right now, I promise.’