When she did drop off for snatched moments, her mind was filled with images of the children. She was glad when it was time to rise and pull on her uniform. The day was a cold one with a definite autumnal nip in the air, and both she and Joy were glad of their thick green jumpers, yet despite them they shivered as they crossed the yard. It was always warmer in the byre. Normally this was Meg’s favourite time in the day and it never failed to soothe her, but that morning she viewed it as one more chore to complete before she could take the train back to Birmingham. As if the cows were aware of her distraction, they were more difficult to settle. Meg found milking more onerous than usual and she didn’t get the same volume of milk from the cows. She expected Will to say something to her, but he didn’t. In fact, they were all uncommonly subdued, with none of the normal banter between them, because Joy was sharing her good friend’s worry. An uncomfortable silence prevailed, and Meg was glad when the milking was over and the cows returned to the field.
