Vi was now sitting up in her chair in the bedroom, positioned strategically by the window to watch the world pass by. ‘Babs can’t fetch them today as she’s at work,’ continued Kay, still a little uncertain about leaving her friend alone. ‘After that school was bombed in south London last month, I don’t want the kids walking home without me or Babs.’ There had been many casualties in January as a school had been targeted by the Luftwaffe and both teachers and pupils had perished. Since then, either Kay or Babs had been certain to collect the children from school. Once again, everyone was on the alert for daylight bombings. ‘Don’t fret over me, flower,’ Vi assured her. ‘I won’t. But remember what the doctor said. Take the linctus instead of a smoke.’ Vi was back to her regular smoking habits. The blanket Kay had draped over her knees was dotted with grey ash that had fallen from Vi’s last roll-up. ‘Righto, love, you can count on me.’ After a good deal of coughing, Vi patted the turban that was once again tied around her head.
