Downstairs two of the children were screaming, but she did not seem to notice. She said suddenly, "I wish I’d seen Lady Somervell, like you have."

Avery held her more tightly. She had often asked him about Catherine, what she did, how she spoke with him, how she dressed. He stroked the drab clothing his sister had worn throughout his visit.

Once he had mentioned Catherine when Ethel’s husband had been in the room. He had snapped in his reedy voice, "A godless woman! I’ll not hear her name in my house!"

Avery had retorted, "I thought this was one of God’s houses, sir."

They had not spoken since. That was why he had quit the vicarage early, he supposed, so that they would not have to lie to one another with brotherly farewells.

All at once Avery needed to leave. "I’ll tell the carter to go now. I shall walk to the stage." Once he would have avoided walking in the streets. Although a county town, it was usually sprinkled with sea officers. Dorchester was a popular place for naval families to buy houses, being within easy reach of Weymouth Bay, Portland and Lyme. He had seen too many such officers cross the road to avoid him when he had been recovering from his wound and awaiting a court martial.

Being with Bolitho had changed all that. But it will never change my feelings towards them.

He embraced her again and felt her tired body against his. Where had the young girl gone?

"I’ll send money, Ethel." He felt her nod, too choked by tears to speak. "The war will be over soon. I’ll be on the beach then." He thought of Bolitho’s calm acceptance of his situation, what Allday had told him about his damaged eye, what the confidence had cost him. At least I could be in no better company.