‘Hey, you’re supposed to be out there looking after everyone else,’ she had teased him as she plastered a bright smile on her face.

He had shrugged. ‘I suppose I’m just a bit run down … but don’t worry. As soon as I’m well enough I shall be out there again.’

As it happened, seeing Kathy was the best medicine he could have had and within a month he was shipped back to the field hospital. She had not seen him since but now every day she lived in hope that the war would soon be over, and they could finally begin their life together.

The years had also taken their toll on both Sunday and John who still lived compatibly side by side at Treetops.

Sunday had slowed down considerably, and though she still spent much of her free time unravelling any old woollies she could get her hands on and reknitting the wool back into socks for the troops, she rarely ventured into town anymore.

‘I’m afraid our age is finally catching up with us. And not just us. Poor Cissie’s knees are playing up and George is needing the children to help more and more with mucking out the stables,’ she told John regretfully one evening as they sat enjoying a cup of cocoa before retiring to their rooms and he could only nod in agreement.

One evening, as they all sat in the kitchen eating their dinner, Sunday suggested, ‘Let’s have a party!’

‘A party?’ Kathy had just arrived home from the hospital and she looked astounded. ‘What sort of a party?’

Sunday smiled. ‘I’ve just got an urge to see as many people from Treetops’ past as we can. I still keep in touch with quite a few of them.’ She paused to look at John and asked, ‘Would you mind?’ Sometimes it was hard for her to remember that Treetops belonged to him now.

‘Not in the least,’ he assured her. ‘But you have to remember that many of the young men you and Tom cared for will still be away fighting in the war. Perhaps you should wait a while?’

Sunday shook her head. ‘No, it’s not wise at our age to put off till tomorrow what can be done today. We might not be here.’

‘Mum, what an awful thing to say,’ Kathy scolded, but Sunday just shrugged and would not be put off from her plan.