“Mum’s still the same,” Alice said at last, mustering a smile. “Still praying for Will’s return.”

“But I thought—”

“No, he won’t be coming home, but she still refuses to believe it,” Alice said firmly. Then her lips began to quiver and she pressed them together, biting back tears.

Penny placed a hand on hers. “I’m sorry, Alice. I didn’t mean to upset you.”

“It’s fine. It’s not your fault. I just miss him.”

A look of concern passed over Penny’s face, then she suddenly became animated again. “Vicky and Peter should be home soon. You won’t recognize them.”

“I think I might have seen them playing outside.”

“Probably, they’re not allowed to go far,” Penny said, rolling her eyes.

“Oh, really?”

“Yes, one of their friends was killed at the wasteland. A phosphorous bomb went off as they were collecting shrapnel for a game.”

“Oh God, that’s awful!” It must have been in the ruins she’d walked past.

“There are signs with warnings all over the place, but I suppose they’re just kids, aren’t they?” Penny sighed. “You can only tell them so many times.” She looked tired now, fine lines around her eyes and mouth showing the strain of the past few years.

“Yes, I thought it might be them. They’ve changed so much.”

“It’s been nearly a year, Alice.”

“I know . . . I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay, I don’t mean anything by it.”

Alice forced another smile.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” Penny asked, squeezing her hand.

“Yes, really, I’m fine.” She searched Penny’s pretty green eyes, trying to decide whether she should confide in her.

“You seem . . . I don’t know . . . sad, I suppose. You would tell me if there was anything wrong?”

“Yes, of course.” Alice placed her other hand over Penny’s. “Of course I would.” She attempted another mouthful of cake, chewing slowly, but she started to cry and couldn’t seem to stop.

“Alice, what is it?”

She took a deep breath and sniffed, then looked Penny in the eye again. “Well, there is actually something that I have to tell you . . .” And then she told Penny about the events of the past year: the seduction, without identifying Rupert, then the pregnancy and being banished to the seaside, and, finally, her mother taking the baby. Penny’s eyes grew wider, her jaw dropping open.

“So, you see,” Alice sniveled, “that’s why I need to keep looking.”

Penny didn’t say anything, she just lunged forward to wrap her arms around Alice, holding her close for what seemed like hours but must have only been minutes. Alice let her friend’s love flow through her. Definitely a radiator, she thought as she allowed herself a half smile, remembering Ursula’s comparison of her mother to a drain.