‘You’re going out again?’

His expression was mournful, clearly torn between staying and his duty to his aunt. ‘I ’ave to, love. We need the money more than ever now.’

‘I’ll keep her company,’ said Rita. ‘Go and finish that painting, and I’ll treat Ivy to a pint at the Anchor. After all, we’re both in the same boat, and as Ruby’s in there tonight, we can have a good old chinwag and put that smile back on Ivy’s face.’

‘Thanks, Rita. You’re a diamond.’ He pulled a couple of half-crowns out of his paint-smeared dungaree pocket. ‘Have one on me.’ He kissed Ivy’s forehead and made his escape before she could protest.

Peggy felt sad for both girls as she watched Rita guide Ivy out of the kitchen, and their return some minutes later in their overcoats. Ivy looked a little more cheerful, and the girls were holding hands. Neither of them had had a good day, but their friendship had proved strong enough to overcome what fate had handed out to them. The end of the war had certainly changed things in the most unexpected way.

She drew five bob out of her purse and made Rita take it. ‘Buy Ruby a drink while you’re at it, and try not to wake us all up when you come home.’

‘Thanks, Aunt Peggy,’ Rita replied, kissing her cheek. ‘I’m sorry about earlier.’

‘So am I,’ said Ivy. ‘You won’t stay cross with us for too long, will yer?’

Peggy chuckled. ‘You’re a naughty pair, but you know very well I always forgive you. Now get out of here, forget all your troubles for a while and enjoy your evening.’

9

Briar Cottage stood at the end of a rutted lane which opened out into fields, and overlooked the town from the northern slopes. Roger, Freddy, Kitty and Charlotte had bought it so the men had a home to come to when not on ops at RAF Cliffe. They’d renovated and extended the rather dilapidated bungalow, and now it provided a cosy home for Freddy’s sister Kitty, her baby, Faith, and his wife Charlotte and ten-month-old twins, David and Hope.

The tension had been rising since the declaration of peace, for Roger and Freddy had been prisoners of war for some while, and the young women were on tenterhooks awaiting news of their liberation. RAF Bomber Squadron’s Operation Exodus had been up and running since before VE Day when it became clear the Germans were surrendering, and the camps were being emptied of prisoners; now the AAF had joined in to bring the POWs home, so there were numerous flights over the Channel every day.

‘My biggest worry is that Freddy might not be picked up,’ said Charlotte as they sat knitting in the kitchen by the range fire. ‘With his camp being in Poland, the Russians might have got to them first.’