‘Whatever it was certainly rattled his father,’ Anthony replied. He stood with his back to the fireplace, his hands in his pockets, the coins once again jingling through his fingers. ‘But I do like your Colonel. He seems to be a very upright sort of man, who’s clearly greatly enamoured of you.’ He regarded his mother thoughtfully. ‘You don’t think their falling out had something to do with that, do you?’ he asked worriedly.

‘The thought had occurred to me,’ she admitted, twisting the engagement ring around her finger in agitation. ‘You see, I’ve had the awful feeling over the past three weeks that he doesn’t approve of me or our engagement, and after today, I very much fear that John could be having second thoughts.’

‘But he was so attentive,’ protested Anthony, ‘and there was no mistaking how much he adores you. It was there every time he looked at you.’

‘I know,’ she managed. ‘John has always been attentive and caring; it’s why I love him so. But if his son is set against us being together, the poor man is caught in a cleft stick.’ She blinked back her tears and looked up at him. ‘I promised myself I would walk away from him should this happen, but now I don’t think I can.’

Anthony reached over and rested a consoling hand on her shoulder. ‘Poor Mother,’ he said softly. ‘It’s such a difficult situation to find yourself in, and I do sympathise. But surely it doesn’t have to lead to you splitting up?’

‘I have no idea of where it might lead. John’s not here, and I won’t know how he feels until he returns.’ She stubbed out her cigarette and yanked a handkerchief from her bag. ‘Oh dear,’ she sighed. ‘At my age you’d have thought I’d have learnt by now. I do feel foolish.’

‘Do you want me to stay with you tonight?’

Doris would have loved him to stay, but the situation was so uncertain with John, she didn’t want her son to witness an embarrassing row. ‘Thank you, dearest boy, but you must go home. It’s a long drive and I’m sure you’ll be needed to help look after little Teddy. I’ll be fine, really I will.’

‘I really don’t like leaving you like this,’ he murmured. ‘What if I telephone Aunt Peggy and ask her to come up to be with you?’

Doris shook her head. ‘Anne, Charlie and the children are returning today, and I have absolutely no intention of ruining it for her.’ She got to her feet, dabbed at her nose and straightened her shoulders. ‘I’m just a silly woman who’s allowed her imagination to run away with her,’ she said purposefully. ‘I’m sure that John is not a man to be swayed by anything his son has to say and can make his own mind up about things.’

‘Well, if you’re sure …’ he replied uncertainly.

‘As sure as I can be,’ she said with brisk determination. ‘I’ll come and see you off.’