‘I shouldn’t set too much store in that, Cordy, they can’t report everything,’ said Peggy smoothly. ‘She was feeling a little perkier this evening. Her temperature was down, and she was full of Ron’s exploits this morning.’

Cordelia chuckled. ‘She told us too, and it did make us laugh. But I have to say, Ron really is his own worst enemy. I mean, what on earth was he thinking about, taking Queenie all the way up there, let alone letting her loose?’

Peggy scraped the last of the fish pie from her plate and savoured it. ‘Who knows what goes on in that man’s brain? I’ve given up trying to fathom it out.’

‘I doubt there is much of a brain to fathom,’ said Cordelia tartly.

‘That’s a little unfair,’ Peggy said mildly. ‘He’s bright enough – but he just doesn’t think of the consequences before he acts.’ She decided to change the subject. ‘How’s Bertie? We haven’t seen him in ages. Is he well?’

‘As fit as a fiddle and far too energetic for a man of his age,’ said Cordelia with a hint of pride. ‘We had a lovely lunch at the golf club after he’d played eighteen holes this morning, and he was planning to fit in another nine once he’d dropped me off here from the hospital.’

‘I saw you had lots of letters from Canada today,’ said Peggy. ‘How are things over there?’

‘They had a tough winter and were snowed in for a couple of months, but life is going on as usual, it seems, and they’ve told me to expect another food parcel.’ Cordelia gave a little chuckle. ‘It’s very thoughtful of them, and I know it will be a treat, but receiving food parcels makes me feel as if I’m a charity case. I shall be glad when this war’s over and the rationing stops.’

She picked up her handbag and cardigan, grabbed her walking stick and got out of the chair, tipping Queenie unceremoniously onto the floor. ‘Sorry, Queenie,’ she muttered. ‘I forgot you were there.’

Queenie was most put out and stalked off with her tail in the air.

‘Are you going up already?’ asked Peggy in surprise.

‘I’ve heard the news twice today, and have no real interest in hearing it again. It’s been a busy day and I’m tired. Besides, I have a new library book to start, and I prefer reading in bed.’

She put her hand on Peggy’s shoulder to stop her getting up. ‘I can manage the stairs perfectly well,’ she said. ‘You stay there.’

‘But—’

‘It’s much easier going up than down,’ Cordelia said firmly before she kissed Peggy’s cheek and headed for the hall. ‘Goodnight,’ she called over her shoulder.