In between mouthfuls of scone, Rita told him about the plans to turn some of the larger factories into smaller units, and that although a few pre-fabs had gone up, and a new school had been built on the plot of the old one, work was slow as the council seemed more concerned with tidying up the town and seafront for the summer visitors, who were already arriving. Then she went on to tell him her job at the fire station was almost at an end.

‘I’ll be sad to leave,’ she said, having finished the last delicious crumb. ‘They’re a good bunch to work with and John Hicks is a real diamond. But I always knew it was only for the duration, so I can’t moan.’

‘I’m sorry to hear that, Rita, but it will give us time to catch up on things and talk about the future.’ He poured more tea for them both and lit a cigarette. ‘As I said in my letters, I want to start up the motor repair shop again,’ he said hesitantly. ‘There’s money in the Post Office because of the government compensation paid out for losing our home and business in the fire bomb attack, so finance won’t be a problem when it comes to finding a home and suitable garage premises – and those empty factory units sound ideal for the purpose.’

He paused and then rushed on. ‘I was rather hoping you might like to come in with me – as a partner.’

The words hung between them and Jack saw how she couldn’t meet his gaze. ‘That’s of course if you haven’t made other plans, Rita,’ he added hastily.

Rita finally looked him in the eye. ‘It’s a wonderful idea, Dad,’ she began hesitantly, ‘but …’

‘Look, I know the idea of being a car mechanic isn’t every young girl’s dream of a career, and of course I’ll understand if you fancy doing something else. Besides, I’m sure when Jim Reilly gets back he’d leap at the chance of getting his hands dirty again.’

‘That’s something you’d have to ask him, Dad,’ she replied. She reached across the table. ‘I would love to go into partnership with you, but I’ve had another offer, and it’s rather thrown the cat amongst the pigeons,’ she said with a lightness that belied the concern in her eyes. ‘Now I really don’t know what to do for the best. I’m sorry.’

Jack saw the unshed tears glittering in her eyes, felt the slight trembling in her hand and knew immediately what she was trying to tell him. It was what he’d dreaded from the moment Rita had started writing to him about Peter Ryan. ‘Peter’s proposed and asked you to go back to Australia with him,’ he stated.