CHAPTER FIFTEEN
LONDON, TUESDAY 27 MARCH 1945
It is early morning in the house in North London where Elsie Carlin and her mother reside. A very cold day not helped at all by hovering mist, a touch of fog that produces a wet, soggy, icy atmosphere. Dark clouds in the sky add an extra touch of gloom and dismal melancholy. It is brightening up slowly, gradually but not very quickly. The two women have an extra resident in the house at present. Brian is spending three days of his leave there, courtesy of an invitation from Mrs Grace Carlin at her daughter’s instigation. Grace is still asleep, but Elsie is up early. She has managed, at exceedingly short notice, to secure three days of her annual holiday to put at Brian’s disposal. Her mood is bright, almost jubilant because everything has bee
