APRIL 1945
Mother was listening to a Mahler symphony on the Third Programme and, as usual, was totally engaged with her music and didn"t hear the phone ring. I picked it up and heard Auntie Betty"s familiar voice asking me how was and could she have a word, with Mum. I went and shook Mum by the shoulder because when she listens to good music she really listens; I mean she was in another world there.
"Auntie Betty, on the phone," I said, urgency in my voice.
"Alright," Mum said, coming back to this world. "Why what"s up?"
"I don"t know. She sounded very disturbed I thought."
Mum walked eagerly out to the hall and picked up the receiver. I watched her expressions change gradually as the conversation proceeded but noted that Mum said very little; mostly she was just listening. When my mo
