The party had moved to the parlour and everyone joined in a singsong, followed by a game of charades made more raucous by the new bottle of rum being opened and passed round. Kitty kept a sharp eye on Tommy to see if he attempted to try some, but he didn’t seem at all inclined. Maybe he had learnt his lesson the hard way. She breathed a secret sigh of relief.

There was a knock at the door and in came Maeve Kerrigan, Rita’s closest colleague from the hospital, and by coincidence a cousin of Nancy’s husband, Sid. Thankfully she didn’t take after that side of the family, but had felt obliged to pop round to see her gloomy aunt as she was the closest relative in the city. She hadn’t stayed long, realising she wasn’t really wanted as Mrs Kerrigan had no intention of celebrating, and so she’d come round to see Rita. When she found out her friend was upstairs and very busy, she came in anyway.

‘Let me take your coat, Maeve,’ said Sarah, hurrying forward. ‘You’ll stay for a cup of tea and some cake, won’t you? Even something stronger?’

‘None of that strong stuff for me.’ Maeve shuddered at the thought. ‘I’ll not be saying no to the cake, though. Kitty, is it one of yours?’

Sarah stepped through to the kitchen, aware of the noises from upstairs, but knowing Violet was in the best hands. She’d go up to help when necessary. For now she’d only be in the way.

Maeve rolled up the sleeves of her best blouse, which she’d cunningly brought up to date with new buttons and a dark green ribbon at the neck. ‘Will I have a go on your piano?’ she offered.

‘Didn’t know you played, Maeve,’ said Danny.

‘Well, there’s a lot you don’t know about me, Danny Callaghan,’ said Maeve smartly. ‘Sure I can play. Just watch me now. What’ll we have?’

Soon everyone was joining in, and if Maeve’s playing wasn’t quite up to Eddy’s standard, no one mentioned it. Sarah stood with her back against the wall, thankful that the happy noise would drown out whatever was coming from the bedroom above, giving Violet some kind of privacy. After a few songs she gathered up the plates and cups, piling them on to a tray, and took them into the kitchen. She tried not to think about the look Maeve had just shot at Danny as the clear sound of Kitty hitting a high note followed her through.