‘I think we should call him Skippy.’

Thomas and Daisy thought about it for a moment as they eyed their new pet, then nodded in agreement. ‘I think that’s a great name for him seeing as he can’t keep still,’ Thomas giggled.

‘I just hope as he don’t go piddlin’ all over my clean floor,’ Cook grumbled.

‘Oh, don’t worry, we’ll take him out all the time and train him not to,’ Thomas promised.

‘I suppose that’s all right then,’ Cook sniffed, but in actual fact she was as taken with the new arrival as the children were and in time she’d be spoiling him with treats and scraps as he kept her company in the kitchen.

That night, long after everyone else had retired to bed, Kathy and Livvy sat in the kitchen enjoying a glass of sherry and a mince pie in front of the fire. Outside the snow was still falling but inside it was warm and cosy and Kathy sighed with contentment as she held her bare toes out towards the glowing fire. ‘So, I wonder what next year will bring?’ she mused.

Livvy shrugged and her eyes became sad as she thought of Giles locked away in a prisoner-of-war camp. After everything she’d heard, she just prayed Giles was strong enough to survive it.

‘So, when did the sudden change of heart towards Giles take place?’ Kathy asked as if she could read her sister’s mind. ‘I always thought you couldn’t stand the poor chap.’

Livvy squirmed with embarrassment. ‘I didn’t think I could either,’ she admitted guiltily. ‘But I suppose when we were both stationed at the same place and we started to go out a bit together he just sort of grew on me. He doesn’t know how I feel though, unless he got the letters I wrote,’ she sighed. ‘I told him in the letters because I wanted him to know I’d be here waiting for him when he came home, but the chances are he won’t feel the same about me anyway.’

Kathy shook her head as she sipped at her sherry. ‘Oh, I don’t think you need worry on that score. Between you and me, I think he had a soft spot for you right from when he and John moved in here. If I recall rightly it was always you that was off with him.’

‘Don’t remind me,’ Livvy answered guiltily. ‘But I shall make it up to him if he comes home … when he comes home, that is! But what about you and David? You had rather a turnaround with him as well, if I’m not very much mistaken.’