Rosie listened as he told her what had happened and then took a trembling breath. ‘We’ve only been away for a week, and yet so many young lives have been changed forever in that short time that it’s impossible to take it all in.’

She slid off the arm of the chair and nestled into his lap. ‘Oh, Ron, she breathed. ‘Just as we thought the war was over and things could only get better, something like this happens, and we’re made to realise that it will leave a lasting legacy for so many.’

Ron cradled her in his arms and kissed her forehead. ‘Aye, sweet girl, and my Jim’s still out in Burma fighting his war against the Japs. I can only pray that he comes home in one piece.’

He held her for a while longer and then stood to place her gently on her feet. ‘Pour the tea, darling, then I must fetch Monty from Brenda’s and go to Beach View. Peggy will be deeply affected by all this, and I want to make sure she’s all right before I take both dogs for a good long run. I doubt Brenda and Cissy managed to go far, and the animals will need to get rid of all that pent-up energy.’

Rosie poured the tea, and handed him the cup and saucer. ‘Peggy said nothing about Cissy’s American chap in her notes. I do hope there’s better news on that front.’

Ron doubted there was, for Peggy would have mentioned it. He took a slurp of tea and then concentrated on lighting his pipe. He’d had enough bad news for one day; whatever was going on with Cissy’s American could be put off for a while. ‘Will you be all right on your own this lunchtime, Rosie?’

‘Brenda’s due in, so we’ll manage.’ She shot him a wan smile. ‘Go and see Peggy, give her my love and tell her I’ll pop in later. She’ll want to hear about our trip to Brighton, and it might help to cheer her up a bit.’

Ron raised a bushy and rather wayward eyebrow. ‘Mind what you tell her, wee girl. It was our honeymoon, remember – and some things are private.’

Rosie giggled and blew him a kiss. ‘How could I forget? And wonderful it was too. Let’s do it again as soon as we can arrange it.’

Ron felt a twinge in his back as he reached across to squeeze her fingers, and rather hoped she wouldn’t plan another romantic break for at least a month, as he needed to get over this one first.

14