Instantly his eyes were hopeful, and she looked away guiltily before she forced herself to go on.

‘I’m most terribly flattered … but the thing is …’

Being the gentleman he was, John took it graciously. ‘I understand,’ he said softly when she had mumbled her way through her refusal and the reasons why. But it didn’t make her feel any better, so she was feeling pensive as she went to the kitchen to see the children.

With every day that passed they seemed a little bit more settled and Peggy’s eyes were slowly losing the haunted look they’d had when she first arrived, although Edith was concerned that the children still insisted on sleeping together. They were tucking into large dishes of rice pudding when Sunday entered and as soon as they had finished, they scampered off to find George in the stables, leaving Sunday to chat to Edith and Cook.

‘I suppose you’ve heard about Giles goin’ away? He’s in London taking his exams today,’ Cook said miserably.

Sunday nodded as she took a seat at the table and smiled as her eyes fell on the children’s empty dishes. They were so clean they didn’t look as if they’d been used. ‘Livvy told me last night and strangely enough she seemed quite concerned about it, which is surprising seeing as those two are usually at each other’s throats.’

Cook shook her head. ‘I ain’t at all happy about it either,’ she confided. ‘The thought of him flyin’ across Germany droppin’ bombs on the enemy scares me to death – not that there’s anythin’ I can do about it. What if the Germans drop one on him? I’ve known him since he was just a little boy, see? So, I’m bound to be worried about him.’

‘I know what you mean.’ Sunday’s face was grave. ‘Since David left for France a couple of weeks ago Kathy has been walking around with a face on her like a wet weekend. Surprising really, seeing as she insists she feels nothing but friendship for him.’

At that moment the children bounded back into the kitchen and Bobby was almost beside himself with excitement.

‘Cor, George just told us Giles is going to be flyin’ planes in the war,’ he said admiringly. ‘I reckon he’s really brave, don’t you?’

‘Yes, he is,’ Sunday answered. Thank goodness Bobby didn’t seem to realise what danger Giles and all the rest of the RAF pilots would be putting themselves in.

Bobby’s words suddenly reminded Edith of something, and hurrying over to the fireplace she fetched a postcard she had placed there. ‘Look what came for you today.’ She waved it at the children, ‘It’s a postcard from your mammy. Do you want me to read it to you?’

Bobby’s face became solemn as he took it from her, saying, ‘I can read it meself, fanks.’