Free A Moment to Remember by Dee Williams Page B

smile lifted Jane’s pretty face. ‘I expect they have.’
    Milly had used her shilling Christmas box to buy Jane some delicate lace hankies with the letter J embroidered in the corner. They were laid out in a pretty box that had a scene of a thatched cottage on it. When the big day finally arrived in February and the household were having the birthday tea, she gave Jane her present.
    Jane was thrilled. ‘I’ve never had my own hankies,’ she said excitedly. ‘Look, Betty. Isn’t Milly such a thoughtful, clever girl?’
    Betty nodded. Jane didn’t know that Milly had been racking her brain for weeks to think of something Jane hadn’t got, and it was between them that she had come up with this idea.
    At the end of the day Mrs Green came into the kitchen and thanked Betty and Milly, telling them that today had been a great success.
     
    Milly couldn’t believe that she had been living here for a year. She was discussing it with Betty.
    ‘You were such a poor shy little thing when you first arrived,’ said Betty. ‘And so skinny.’
    ‘I know. And d’you know what thrilled me the most when I first got here—after all the lovely food you gave me, of course? It was the bath indoors.’
    Betty laughed. ‘And I remember you didn’t even know how to clean it properly,’ she said.
    ‘But you soon taught me. Who would have thought that a year on I’d still be here?’
    ‘I’ve always wanted to ask. Did Auntie Doris ever exist?’
    ‘As far as I was concerned she did.’
    ‘Funny your mum never told you anything about her.’
    ‘I think there must have been some sort of trouble between them, but I don’t suppose I shall ever find out if there was.’
    ‘Sometimes it’s best to let sleeping dogs lie.’

    The next highlight on the Greens’ calendar was Richard coming home at Easter.
    ‘I wish he didn’t have to go away to school,’ said Jane.
    Milly was thinking the same thing. She was really looking forward to him being here.
    All over the holiday there were days out, and on fine days they had picnics in the local park. There was always plenty of laughter, and it seemed to Milly that Richard was near her at every opportunity.
    ‘D’you know,’ said Jane one day when they were alone, ‘I think our Richard is rather taken with you.’
    Milly laughed. ‘Don’t be silly. He’s just being polite and making up for all the times he was horrid to me.’
    ‘Yes, he was horrid. But now . . . ’
    ‘Jane, don’t let your mother hear you talk like this. Remember she has ideas about him marrying Catherine.’
    ‘I know. But does he want to marry her?’
    Milly just shrugged and walked away. Although she thought the world of Jane, she didn’t want to reveal the true feelings she had for her brother.
     
    In May the nation was in mourning. The King had died. Although Jane was sad about it, she was very excited that her father was coming home for the funeral.
    ‘Your father will only be here for a few days,’ her mother told her. ‘He has to represent his department.’
    ‘Will you be going to the funeral with him, Mama?’
    ‘Yes. But first I have to go into town to get myself a black outfit.’
    Milly was in the kitchen discussing the situation with Betty.
    ‘Always knew he had a high-up job,’ said Betty. ‘But to be invited to the King’s funeral, well.’
    ‘How long will Mr Green be here for?’
    ‘Just a day or two, so the missus said.’
    ‘That’s a shame. Jane would like him to stay longer.’
    The day after the funeral they all pored over the newspapers, hoping to see Mr and Mrs Green among the mourners.
    ‘I think the new King and Queen Mary are very regal,’ said Jane.
    ‘She’s always so very upright,’ said Betty.
    Milly laughed. ‘Perhaps you have to be like that to keep the crown on.’
    ‘Milly, I love your sense of humour,’ said Jane.
    Much to Jane’s disappointment, Mr Green did indeed stay only two days, and she was very upset when he left.
    Milly had remarked to