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there’s not one of them can put together a meal. And they’d leave the sheets on their beds until they walked themselves to the linen basket.’
    As she spoke, Margaret began almost to believe in this picture of herself as a domestic lynchpin, which position she had held with quiet resentment for the past two years. She had never anticipated having to cook and clean for anyone. Even Joe had understood when she told him she was hopeless at it and, more importantly, had no intention of remedying the situation. Now, forced to spend hours of every day tending the brothers she had once treated as equals, grief, guilt and mute fury fought within her. ‘It’s a huge worry, Letty. I really think they won’t be able to cope without . . . well, a woman around the place.’
    There was a lengthy silence. The dog whined in her sleep, her legs paddling in some unseen chase.
    ‘I suppose they could get someone in, like a housekeeper,’ said Letty eventually, her voice deceptively light.
    ‘Dad wouldn’t want to pay for that. You know how he goes on about saving money. And, besides, I don’t think any of them would like a stranger in the kitchen. You know what they’re like.’ She sneaked a glance at her aunt. ‘Niall hasn’t liked anyone new being around since he came back from the camps. Oh, I don’t know . . .’
    Outside, the rain was easing off. The drumming on the roof had lightened, and small patches of blue could be seen amid the grey clouds towards the east. The two women were silent for a few minutes, each apparently absorbed in the view from the screened window.
    When no answer was forthcoming, Margaret spoke again: ‘Actually, I’m wondering whether I should leave at all. I mean, there’s no point in going if I’m going to spend my whole time worrying about the family, is there?’
    She waited for her aunt to speak. When nothing came, she continued, ‘Because I—’
    ‘I suppose,’ Letty ventured, ‘that I could help out.’
    ‘What?’
    ‘Don’t say “what”, dear. If you’re that worried about them all,’ Letty’s voice was measured, ‘I might be able to come most days. Just to help out a bit.’
    ‘Oh, Letty, would you?’ Margaret had ensured that her voice held just the right amount of surprise, just the right level of gratitude.
    ‘I wouldn’t want to be treading on anyone’s toes.’
    ‘No . . . no . . . of course not.’
    ‘I wouldn’t want you or the boys thinking . . . that I was trying to take your mother’s place.’
    ‘Oh, I don’t think anyone would think that.’
    Both women digested what had finally been said aloud.
    ‘There might be people who will . . . interpret things the wrong way. People in town and suchlike.’ Letty smoothed her hair unconsciously.
    ‘Yes, there might,’ said Margaret, still looking deadly serious.
    ‘But, then, it’s not like I’ve got a job or anything. Not now they’ve shut the munitions factory. And family should come first.’
    ‘It certainly should.’
    ‘I mean, those boys need a feminine influence. Daniel especially. He’s at that age . . . And it’s not like I’m doing anything wrong. Anything . . . you know . . .’
    If Margaret noticed the faint blush of pleasure creeping across her aunt’s face she said nothing. If there was something else in her aunt’s face, in the new lipstick, that made Margaret feel a little more complicated about the arrangement, she made a game attempt to push it away. If the price of her own guiltless freedom was for her mother’s place to be usurped, she would be careful only to see the benefits.
    Letty’s angular face was lit now by a smile. ‘In that case, dear, if it will help you, I’ll take good care of them all,’ she said. ‘And Maudie there. I’ll take good care of her. You won’t need to worry.’
    ‘Oh, I’m not worried about her.’ Margaret raised herself with an effort. ‘I’m going to—’
    ‘Yes, I’ll make sure they’re all all right,’