‘We’ll just have to make do with the news on the wireless until it’s delivered,’ Peggy said placatingly.

‘I don’t like the wireless news,’ grumbled Cordelia. ‘It’s always so gloomy.’

Peggy bit down on a smile as she followed her into the kitchen to find that Sarah was just finishing her breakfast, and Ron was feeding Harvey and Queenie. The wireless was on, but there were still a few minutes to go before the eight o’clock news bulletin.

Ron frowned at Cordelia, who rather pointedly turned off her hearing aid and glared back at him. ‘What’s got into her this morning?’

‘No paper and no post,’ replied Peggy, settling Daisy on her cushion so she could reach the table.

‘There was some post,’ said Sarah quietly. ‘But both letters were for me.’ She put her hand on Peggy’s shoulder. ‘I’m sorry, Peggy. I know how much you wanted to hear from Jim and the others.’

Peggy felt a bit put out that she still hadn’t had anything from Jim – or, for that matter, from Anne or the boys, despite the fact she’d written to them nearly every day. ‘There’s no need to feel sorry, Sarah,’ she replied. ‘There’s always the afternoon delivery. Perhaps I’ll get something then.’

She watched the girl pull on her coat, ready for the long tramp over the hills to Cliffe, and was tempted to ask if her letters had come from Delaney – then decided it was none of her business. ‘It must be quiet up there now all the Americans have gone,’ she said instead.

‘It is a bit, and there’s talk that the Women’s Timber Corps will be moving to another site very soon. The forest at Cliffe has been thinned enough, and what’s left must be preserved to encourage new growth.’

Peggy stared up at her in confusion ‘But where would they go? And would you have to go with them?’

Sarah shrugged. ‘Nothing’s decided yet, but the possibility of Scotland has been mentioned.’

‘Scotland! You can’t possibly go all the way to Scotland,’ protested Peggy.

Sarah giggled. ‘I have no intention of doing so. This is my home now for the duration, and if they do move on, I’ll find work in another office in town.’

‘Well, thank goodness for that,’ breathed Peggy. ‘I couldn’t bear the thought of losing you.’

Sarah kissed her cheek. ‘The feeling is mutual,’ she murmured. ‘Now, I’d better be off, or I’ll be late. At least the weather seems to have improved a bit.’

Ron turned up the volume on the wireless just as Sarah was about to go down the steps to the basement, and as the announcer’s excited voice came into the room, she turned back and sat down at the table, making urgent winding signs to Cordelia to turn on her hearing aid.