He lay on the bed and watched Patricia moving about the room. Her dressing, like most things about her, gave the appearance of casualness, but misleadingly so: the items, when pulled on or snapped into...

In a spot where they were shielded from possible watchers, he took her in his arms and kissed her. She stood on tip-toe, holding her face up to his; without high heels her smallness was...

Bates said involuntarily: ‘How things have changed, Di.’ She nodded. ‘Yes, haven’t they?’ He went on quickly: ‘I meant in Holly Ash. To see Woolworth’s where Ronnie and I used to sit on the wall...

Bates pushed his way as unobtrusively as possible through the crush, and finally made his way to her side. The laughter died from her face, to be replaced by a smile that was friendly, and...

He put his arms round their shoulders; a link, or the apex of a triangle. ‘Then we can be getting back. We’ll have tea, and I’ll put you on your train.’ Patricia said in surprise:...

She bent down, rubbing her cheek against his face. ‘What is it, then? Tell me what it is.’ He overcame a reluctance. ‘John seems to think we’re still at Holly Ash. And still children.’ ‘Don’t...

Frank stood beside Helen and watched Parker disappear into the crowd, in the direction of the door. ‘I should think,’ he said, ‘that it will take him ten minutes at least to make absolutely sure...

With regard to Lucus and Patricia, he was leading a curious kind of double life. He had not told Patricia of having met Lucus again, nor of the fact that he was continuing to see...

He met them downstairs in the lobby. He saw them from the stairs, standing together near the door. Patricia was talking animatedly and John, with a smile of tolerance, was listening. He walked more slowly...

Frank said to Smethers: ‘We’ll have to see about having another desk put in. We’re getting another helper. Promotion all round – you can take your tunic along to the tailor straight away.’ Smethers said,...