Anne could see that he was deeply touched by her reaction and in a quandary as to what to do about it. In that moment she realised their situation had been immensely difficult for both of them, and in their own way each of them was struggling to find a solution. Being bitter wasn’t going to help ease anything, and the thought of not finding a way through this was unbearable. They would both have to be patient – her especially – and now it was up to her to take that first step towards repairing the damage caused by the war.

She took his hand and stepped into his embrace. ‘Of course I forgive you,’ she said against his chest. ‘How can I not when I love you so?’

26

Upon entering the Club, Doris had spotted John and Michael sitting in the bar, and immediately sensed something was wrong. Neither man looked at ease, and the short exchange they were having appeared to be quite hostile. She’d hesitated in the doorway, unsure of what to do, but then John had seen her, and the angry lines in his face smoothed out into a warm smile.

It had been an awkward and embarrassing lunch, despite John doing his best to be solicitous to Doris and keep up a conversation with Anthony whilst virtually ignoring Michael who ate in brooding silence and then, very rudely, lit a cigarette before everyone had finished dessert.

Doris had been uncomfortably aware of Michael watching her throughout, his gaze quizzical and faintly resentful, so the end of the meal had come as a huge relief. She had no idea what Anthony must be thinking, but she could see from his expression that he hadn’t taken to Michael at all. There had been plans for them to remain at the Club to take coffee in the lounge, and Doris had been dreading the ordeal dragging on. She could see Anthony was just as reluctant to carry on with this farce, and she’d been on the point of asking him to take her home when Michael abruptly announced his immediate departure.

Nobody had tried to delay him, and after stiffly shaking his father’s hand, he’d ignored Doris and Anthony, run down the steps to his car and driven away at speed.

John had been profuse in his apologies, clearly deeply upset by his son’s behaviour, but unwilling to discuss what had happened between them to cause such enmity. They’d had coffee in the lounge although no one really wanted it, and then John went off for a long walk while Anthony had driven Doris home.

‘I’m sorry lunch was such a disaster,’ said Doris, trying to relax in her sitting room as she lit a cigarette. ‘I can’t imagine what got into Michael to behave like that.’