The remainder of the evening passes without further discord, a favourite comedy programme diverting Rob’s attention from the wartime memories evoked by photographs in a holiday brochure Ivy picked up from the travel agent. Night is another matter, quietness and darkness joining forces to create an unbearable atmosphere that only minutes after climbing into bed, infiltrate a mind still reeling from the unexpected events of the past forty-eight hours. Questions come thick and fast, lacking sufficient space between them for considered responses. A limited timeframe – only fifteen days remain before they’re due to fly to Italy – providing an inadequate period for Rob to consider employment options. There’s no way he can register for unemployment benefits and then announce he’ll be unavailable
