‘Yeah, you’re probably right,’ said Sally on a sigh. ‘But I’m ready to go ’ome to John at the end of the school term. We’ve been apart for too long, and he ’ardly knows our Harry.’ She glanced across at Anne. ‘I know you’re planning on staying ’ere for a bit after Martin comes back, but you must miss yer mum.’

Anne wondered if Sally had overheard any of this morning’s conversation and was angling for more information. ‘Of course I do,’ she replied carefully. ‘And in a way I feel disloyal to her for worrying about leaving Vi behind. But it’s Martin who’s my first priority, and it’s my duty to see that he’s fully recovered before we go back to Cliffehaven.’

‘There was a bit of a to-do when he came last time,’ said Sally, glancing towards the end cottage lights. ‘Is it really wise to bring him here with Claus still living on the farm?’

‘It wasn’t Claus he had the issue with,’ said Anne. ‘It was Max, remember? And as he and Hans are gone, I can’t see there should be any problem.’

‘I suppose you’ll just have to wait and see,’ said Sally on a deep sigh. ‘Gawd knows what Martin’s been through at that camp. He might hate all Germans now – and I can’t say I’d blame ’im.’ She took a breath. ‘Still, it’s going to be strange to be with John after all this time – strange but lovely,’ she added with a soft smile. ‘I can’t wait to be back with him again in our own little home.’

Anne had sharp memories of the dreadful row she and Martin had had when he’d come to the farm unexpectedly on leave to find her and the children playing innocently with the German POWs, and how things had only been resolved between them on the last day. And thank God they had, she thought, for within weeks he’d been shot down and captured, and she hadn’t seen him since.

‘We’ll both just have to adapt to being wives again,’ she murmured, ‘and let them take the lead. It’ll be hard for all of us to get used to being a couple again.’

Sally shivered and drew up her coat collar. ‘I’m going in for some cocoa – do you want some?’

‘No thanks, Sal. I’ll stay here and have a last cigarette.’

Sally placed her hand on Anne’s arm, her expression serious. ‘Don’t leave it too long before you phone Peggy and make things up with her,’ she advised softly before walking away.