45
‘Cissie’s here.’ Jane rose hurriedly from her chair and rushed to let her in.
Cissie stood motionless, an undecided toe touching the top step. ‘He’s not coming back,’ she whispered.
Jane rushed out and guided her into the house. ‘Oh dear, don’t say that. We don’t know anything. It’s only been a few weeks. You know what they say about the bush. It could be another week before they find them. And George knows how to look after himself. She looked over her shoulder for reassurance from her husband. ‘Doesn’t he, Frank?’
Cissie spoke before Frank could offer a platitude. ‘You are right, Jane. We don’t know anything, but I’ve stopped pretending. I knew at Trentham when Dorothy got up to make her thank you speech that George wasn’t coming back. They were too sure, he and Scotty, and everyt
