Rita nodded. ‘Worth it, though.’ She gazed in adoration at her little girl before carrying on. ‘So now Kitty is coming back, I would really like to ask her. She’s always been such a good friend to me, as well as being Jack’s sister. I couldn’t think of anyone better, and she’ll be a good example to Ellen too.’

‘She will that,’ said Dolly. ‘None better. She’s done well for herself, and all through her own hard work and talent. I take my hat off to her. She’d be a grand choice, Rita, and I’m sure Jack would agree if he was here. Why would you even think twice?’

Rita nodded. She had no doubts about Kitty’s suitability. That wasn’t what was troubling her. ‘I don’t want to offend Violet,’ she told her mother. ‘She might have expected to be asked. We’d have asked Eddy too, if we could have been certain he’d be back, but even though he’s due leave for Easter week, you know what it’s like – they could be delayed, or the weather could turn, or anything like that. But Violet – she’s here every day and she loves Ellen. I wouldn’t want to put her nose out of joint for anything. It’s just that it seems unfair to have two godmothers from my side and none from Jack’s.’

‘So that’s why you wouldn’t ask Nancy,’ Dolly said, more as a statement than a question. She looked at Rita.

Rita nodded. ‘Yes, we have to be fair.’ She didn’t say that she wouldn’t have asked Nancy anyway, as she didn’t think her middle sister was any kind of suitable role model. She knew full well that Dolly was thinking exactly the same, but neither of them needed to put it into words. Even though Sarah was four years younger, she was far more steady and reliable. God forbid, if anything were to happen to Rita, she knew she could safely entrust the care of Ellen to Sarah or Kitty. She wouldn’t feel nearly as happy relying on Nancy.

‘I’m sure Violet will understand,’ Dolly said. ‘She’s not one to take offence. Look what a hard time some people gave her when she first arrived and they didn’t know who she was. She ignored them and they soon stopped their carping. I wouldn’t think you’d have to worry about her.’