Margaret found the ideal bungalow in its own ground on a hillside overlooking the town. On such a peaceful morning it was difficult to believe the disruption facing India. Margaret opened the Times. Gandhi was grabbing the headlines again. He had been arrested with other national leaders the day after Congress passed the ‘Quit India’ resolution and, since then, held in Aga Khan Palace Jail. The article went on to say that he was fasting in protest at the British occupation. Didn’t he know there was a war on? Indian troops were dying in defence of the very country he was trying to break away from. Margaret shook the paper and turned the page, searching for news of the North African campaign. Ben’s dutiful letters were short and business like. It was hurtful but she was confident they would work things out when he returned to India. He mentioned Tobruk, El Alamein and fighting Italians. He’d been decorated but didn’t say what for. She’d have liked to have had more details to tell the children.
