Her hopes rose, convinced now that Andy had been successful, and had ordered Gloria not to say anything because he wanted to tell her himself. But then she saw the solemn expressions on the faces of the two women she most trusted, and knew something was very wrong. ‘What is it? What’s happened?’

‘Ivy, love,’ began Peggy, taking her hand. ‘There’s something …’ She got no further, for the pub doors wheezed open and there was Andy looking grim-faced.

All of Ivy’s hopes plummeted. ‘Oh, Andy,’ she breathed, going into his arms. ‘There’ll be other interviews. It don’t matter, love. I didn’t want to live in rotten old Walthamstow anyways.’

Andy held her tightly, his face drawn with anxiety. ‘That’s a shame, ’cos I got the job, and the flat what goes with it,’ he said gruffly. ‘It seems John Hicks gave me such a glowing reference they’d already made up their mind to take me on even before the interview.’

Ivy squeaked in delight and began to jump up and down, clapping her hands. ‘Then why you got a face on like a wet weekend?’ she teased before finally realising he wasn’t joining in with the celebration.

A cold shiver of dread ran through her as Gloria bolted the door and put up the closed sign. ‘What is it, Andy? What’s ’appened?’

‘Come on, gel, let’s go in the private bar and sit you down,’ he replied softly.

Ivy shook her head and stepped back from him. ‘No. If you’ve got something to tell me, I’ll hear it right here.’ She folded her arms tightly about her waist, holding in the rising fear. ‘It’s Mum and Dad, ain’t it?’

He bit his lip and reluctantly nodded. ‘Yeah, love. And it ain’t good news, gel. You’re gunna ’ave to be very, very brave.’ He held her by the shoulders and looked into her frightened eyes. ‘They’re all gone, Ivy. Your mum and dad, and yer sister.’

Ivy felt her legs give way and was saved from falling by Andy’s strong grip on her arms. ‘How? When?’ she managed.

‘It were the last V-2 attack on London at the end of March,’ he replied softly. ‘From yer mum’s last letter, we know they was staying overnight on the twenty-ninth with friends at Hughes Mansions.’ He took a deep breath. ‘I’m sorry, Ivy, but that were the night the mansions took a direct hit.’

Ivy was numb with shock, and she looked from one ashen face to the next, trying to seek answers. ‘Then why wasn’t I told? How come I’ve had to wait all this time to find out?’