clear. But we can't relax until we're there.'

'And when we get there?'

He said patiently: 'I've told you - we can learn to live normally again. You don't imagine I like all this, do you?'

'I don't know.' She looked away, staring out of the window. 'Where's Roger?'

'Roger? I don't know.'

'He and Olivia have had to carry Steve between them since you've been so busy leading. They dropped behind.

The only place left for them to sleep, by the time they got to the house, was the scullery.'

'Why didn't he come and see me?'

'He didn't want to bother you. When you called Davey up, Spooks stayed behind. He didn't think of coming with him, and Davey didn't think of asking.

That's what I meant about the children becoming scared of you.'

John did not answer her. He went out of the room and called down from the landing: 'Rodge! Come on up, old man. And Olivia and the kids, of course.'

Behind him, Arm said, 'You're condescending now.

I don't say you can help it.'

He went to her and caught her arms fiercely.

'Tomorrow evening, all this will be over. I'll hand things over to Dave, and settle down to learning from him how to be a potato and beet farmer. You will see me turn into a dull, yawning, clay-fingered old man will that do?'

'If I could believe it will be like that...'

He kissed her. 'It will be.'

Roger came in, with Steve and Spooks close behind him.

He said: 'Olivia's coming up, Johnny.'

'What the hell were you doing settling in the scullery?

' John asked. 'There's plenty of room in here. We