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remarked, but Ruby only made a non-committal remark. She didn’t want her mother getting any ideas about Albert Longman.
    After she’d finished her ice cream, Ruby went back to the men and, unbelievably, they were still arguing.
    ‘Speaking personally,’ said Jim Searle, ‘I’ve never had any problem in getting a job around here.’
    ‘People may be affluent down here in the south,’ said Dr Palmer, ‘but you mark my words, up north it’s a totally different story.’
    ‘We’ve all seen what that Muzzaleni fellow’s done tohis country,’ said Nelson. ‘If this Mosley is anything like him, God help us.’
    ‘I think you’ll find that Mussolini has made a big difference in Italy,’ said Percy, enunciating the Italian leader’s name in such a way that everyone would know his father hadn’t got it quite right. ‘For a start, he’s making it far more productive.’
    ‘What you may not know, young man, is that already the secret police are carting people off for no good reason,’ said Dr Palmer.
    ‘What would the likes of Percy know about it anyway?’ Nelson said dismissively.
    Percy’s eyes flashed. ‘Quite a bit, as a matter of fact,’ he said.
    ‘Percy, please,’ Ruby interjected, ‘please let’s not fight.’
    ‘You keep out of this, Ruby,’ her father said.
    ‘She’s right, Mr Bateman,’ said Dr Palmer. ‘I shouldn’t have started this discussion now. This isn’t the time or the place. Miss Bateman, I apologize. I’ll say no more.’
    ‘Don’t mind her,’ said Nelson.
    ‘I would hate to spoil such a lovely day,’ Dr Palmer insisted. ‘You should feel very proud of your daughter, Mr Bateman. Organizing such a wonderful outing is no mean feat.’
    ‘What – Ruby?’ Nelson made no attempt to hide the disbelief in his voice. ‘She couldn’t organize a bun fight in a baker’s shop.’
    ‘Didn’t you know, Uncle Nelson?’ said Lily, coming to join them and slipping her arm through Ruby’s. ‘All this was Cousin Ruby’s idea. Isn’t she clever?’
    ‘It’s Cecil’s coach …’ Nelson began.
    ‘But it was Ruby who drummed up the support,’ said Lily.
    Ruby blushed. ‘I couldn’t have done it without Cecil’s help,’ she said quickly.
    Clearly annoyed, Nelson Bateman picked up his jacket from the back of a chair. ‘You finished those nets yet, boy?’
    Percy bristled. Ruby knew he hated being called ‘boy’, especially in company. ‘Not yet.’
    ‘Thought not,’ said Nelson. ‘Can’t trust you to do a damned thing, can I?’
    ‘We’re not going out tomorrow, are we?’ said Percy. ‘I’ll do them first thing Monday morning.’
    ‘Nets should be mended straight away,’ said Nelson pedantically.
    ‘How about we all go for a walk?’ Jim suggested. ‘It’s lovely up on the hill and there’s quite a good view.’
    ‘The concert will be starting soon,’ said Cousin Lily, fluttering her eyelids at Albert, who was busy packing away his playing cards and the mouse into a small leather suitcase.
    ‘I heard someone say it’ll be at least another twenty minutes,’ Jim insisted. ‘It won’t take us long to walk up Honeysuckle Lane. You will excuse us, won’t you, Mr Bateman, Dr Palmer?’
    ‘It’ll be a lot better than listening to his drivel,’ said Percy, and his father glared.
    Lily grabbed Jim’s arm and they started walking.
    ‘Would you like my arm?’ Albert asked Ruby.
    ‘Thank you, but I’m walking with my brother,’ said Ruby, pulling Percy away. They set off. ‘You really shouldn’t antagonize Father,’ she scolded him, once they were out of earshot.
    ‘He drives me mad,’ said Percy. ‘He always has to be right, and everybody else’s opinions count for nothing.’
    ‘You’re right,’ said Ruby, ‘but just ignore it.’
    ‘I can’t, Ruby,’ said Percy. ‘I’ve got to leave this place. I can’t stand being with him a moment longer than I have to.’
    ‘But where will you go?’
    ‘I don’t know –