Anne grinned. ‘My lips are sealed. And I have news for you too,’ she said. ‘George and Belinda are also expecting a happy event, but I’m not sure that’s for public consumption just yet. It’s still very early days. On a sadder note, the school is on the brink of being closed.’

Vi clucked her tongue and shook her head. ‘We’ll have to fight against it,’ she said firmly. ‘That school is an intrinsic part of the community and, with babies bound to be on the way now the men are home, we’re going to need it. Perhaps, if your Conservative candidate gets in, he’ll support our fight. Have a word with him, dear. You can be very persuasive, so he might listen.’

Anne didn’t really think he would, but nodded anyway. ‘How has Martin been today?’

‘I haven’t seen hide nor hair of him since the morning milking. He left the house shortly after you did, and he’s not back yet.’ Vi gave a deep sigh and grasped Anne’s hand. ‘I am sorry, dear – for both of you. It can’t be at all easy, and I do wish there was something I could do to help.’

Anne told her about the long, difficult conversation she’d had with George. ‘I was hoping he’d be here so we could talk about what to do for the best,’ she said finally. ‘But it seems the only real option I have is to take him home as soon as the election’s over.’

‘I think you’re right,’ murmured Vi. ‘Although it will be horribly quiet around here once you’ve all gone.’ She gazed across the yard to the row of small cottages where Sally lived with her younger brother, Ernie, and her little boy, Harry. ‘I’ve got used to the sound of the children’s voices,’ she said sadly.

‘You could always come with us, Auntie Vi.’

She shook her head. ‘Bless you, dear, but this is where I belong, and where I’ll stay until I turn up my toes. Bob, Claus and I can carry on now we have extra help, and in time there will be other children playing in the fields.’

She looked up at Anne and patted her cheek. ‘The world keeps turning, Anne, and we adapt to the changes it brings – just as we do to the seasons. The things that worry us now are eventually resolved, the fears fade and what we once thought was important becomes insignificant as life’s adventure carries us on. I know you’re finding life very difficult at the moment, but with love and a good deal of patience, that will change, I promise.’