12
PETER AND HELEN
November 1944The following week, Helen Vaughn set out four birthday cards on the mantelpiece.
“Good job they don’t put your age on them after you’re twelve. I remember feeling so ashamed of having only eight candles on my cake. My brother said I was still a mere child and I could not even be a grown child up until I was ten. What would I give now to be young again and not know what the future holds?”
“My turn to cook then. It’ll be a real birthday tea, with fruit cake and candles and sherry trifle,” said Peter. “And then it’s off to the pictures again with a stop at the pub along the way.”
“What a treat. I shall enjoy that,” Helen said. “Since Jim left for London there has been no one to spoil me. Mind you, I don’t know how you’ll manage with the few bits and bobs l
