‘Hang on, Kitty, I never said I expected that,’ Danny protested, even though one of the first things that had entered his mind when he got Kitty’s news was that he wouldn’t be so beholden to Dolly and Sarah for his food. ‘How do you think I’ve been managing while you were away? I haven’t exactly starved. I can look after myself, I’ll have you know.’

Kitty tutted. ‘Right. So Dolly hasn’t been cooking you extras then? I bet she has. In fact I know she has. Don’t try to fool me.’

Danny gritted his teeth. ‘I can make a sandwich. Actually I can do several things. Scrambled eggs, if you can get them. Or eggs and bacon. Or …’ He dried up.

‘Or reheating Dolly’s casseroles,’ Kitty predicted. ‘I’m right, aren’t I? I know I am.’

Danny gave up. ‘All right, all right, yes, Dolly and Sarah have been helping me get by, but I won’t be expecting you to do everything now you’re back, Kit. Honestly. I know what sort of job you’re likely to be doing. You’ll have your work cut out for you, no bones about it. I won’t expect you to do everything like you used to.’

‘Good,’ said Kitty shortly, ‘because I won’t have time.’ She folded her arms and then unfolded them, relenting. ‘Look, I’ll do all I can, of course I will, it’s just that it won’t be like when I lived here before, it can’t be.’ Her face creased in anxiety. ‘That’s why we have to decide about Tommy. I can’t mother him if I’m working all hours, which I’m likely going to have to do. I’m worried how we’ll cope, that’s all.’

Danny nodded in acknowledgement, knowing she was right and that they would have to have a serious think about it, but before he could reply, the door from the hallway crashed open and Tommy stood there before them, in his best suit that was just too short for him, his dark hair swept back off his slightly spotty forehead. He was already up to Kitty’s shoulder, although he hadn’t really begun to fill out yet. He was almost shaking with rage.

‘You’re talking about me behind my back.’

‘No, no,’ said Kitty, not wanting him to get upset right before they all set out for the christening. ‘We’re just trying to work out what’s best for you, that’s all.’ She hastily reminded herself that they couldn’t really go on about him as if he wasn’t there; he’d never liked it as a child, and would tolerate it even less now he was that much older.