‘Well, it’s certainly put you in a good mood,’ Sarah observed, picking up her warm scarf and looping it around her neck as she got ready to set off for the hospital. She was in a good mood herself; Kitty had told her that Danny would be coming back for Christmas. She was full of anticipation at seeing him again, and yet it was tinged with dread, wondering if he would be different, or if he’d have met someone else. She couldn’t even say that they were a couple though, so it wasn’t a question of ‘else’. It was too complicated to think about. She had to concentrate on being ready for whatever her next shift might throw at her.

Nancy nodded cheerfully, and kept smiling broadly as her sister let herself out. The thought of seeing Gloria always pepped her up, that was true. But it wasn’t the only reason for her happiness. Tonight she had two tickets to the show, and she’d be going there with Gary. She closed her eyes for a brief moment, remembering the electric connection between them when he’d got back a few days ago. She’d made an excuse to miss her WVS shift and had gone with him to a discreet hotel room. It had been everything she’d dreamt of and more. The separation had made things even better between them, and the long, passionate afternoon had filled her with delight and a keen desire for more. The illicit nature of their meeting just added to the excitement. She knew she shouldn’t set too much stock by promises made under such circumstances, but the flame of hope had been relit, that she might escape her gloomy life as her in-laws’ tenant, break free of the whole grey, depressing existence she led now. How or when she didn’t know, but that hope buoyed her up, made her tremble with emotion every time she got a quiet moment to think about it. Very occasionally she felt a flash of guilt, such as the rare occasions when one of Sid’s clumsy and brief letters tumbled through the letterbox, but usually she managed very successfully to overcome it.

Tonight she was going to introduce Gary to her best friend. They would share the evening, and then with luck they’d have time to run back to the hotel room and spend some proper time together before she had to sneak back home and avoid the baleful gaze of her mother-in-law. She shivered with the thrill of it all.

‘Are you cold, Mummy?’ Georgie asked, bringing her back down to earth with a bump.

‘Not a bit,’ said Nancy truthfully. She was still in her sensible coat, flat shoes and practical knitted twin-set. But later tonight she’d sneak into the theatre toilets and change into her beautiful silk frock and daring silk underwear, which wouldn’t keep her warm at all. Never mind. Gary would.