The only time they were allowed to eat on their knees was 'Friday Night Fish and Chip Night' but today was Thursday. Peter, as promised, had taken Freddie and they had sped back finding Chummy had beaten them home and was setting out plates and cutlery on the kitchen table, still a little flushed from the bicycle ride home in the wind.

Thankfully the change though went completely over her son's head and he was still far too young to understand the rumblings of the past few days although both had, separately from each other and apart from Peter's unexpected encounter in the park, tried to keep any concerns from his shoulders. They ate in relative peace, even Freddie not piping up as some days he was just capable of talking non stop but then again he was otherwise far too engaged in his dinner. Chummy decided to break the ice as the quietude was becoming uncomfortable.

"So what did you do today then Freds?" she asked her son who was sitting cross legged on the floor in front of the fire, his plate on the rug in front of him.

Peter felt his heart skip for a moment. What if he mentioned the yellow haired lady before he had the chance to tell her himself? He had never seen Camilla altogether angry before and he was not sure whether he might more likely see hurt than rage and that would certainly upset him more than a few crossed words or a slammed door. Hearing or seeing her cry was just about the worst experience in the world.

"We went to ve park an' saw Danny an' we went on ve swings an' ve slide an' ven we dun…" Freddie began only to be interrupted by his mother.

"Did" Chummy corrected.

"Ven we dun did ve weeds an' ve peas. Mummy 'elp us wiv ve overs?" he asked, a chip disappearing into his mouth.

"Of course Mamma will. At the weekend though" Chummy replied smiling at him quite as she was quite looking forward to some Spring gardening. She smiled at Peter too who was sitting by the window his plate balanced on the arm of the chair wondering still whether the encounter would be innocently revealed by his son. Chummy noticed Peter wasn't eating much and whilst he was listening to her and Freddie, he seemed desperately distracted in the same breath.

"Are you alright?" she mouthed, one eye on Freddie who was now rearranging his chips on his plate with his fingers. Chummy decided just this once to let it go; she was more worried about the frown that she saw on Peter than a son with greasy hands. At least those could be solved with a quick wash. She saw him nod to tell her he was fine, but she was by no way reassured as he demonstrably and consciously began to eat.

"Is he down?" Peter asked a couple of hours later, his wife having put Freddie to bed, dishes done and dried. He had armed himself with a glass of Whiskey and there was one waiting for Camilla too on the low coffee table in the sitting room. It might have been Spring but the night was quite chill so the electric heater was on, and the eruption of heat greeted her as she walked towards him.

"Like a light it seems" she replied, flopping down beside him on the settee the warmth engulfing her and she suppressed a yawn. "It must have been all ve swings an' ve slide" she laughed, imitating a half decent East End accent.

"You are getting better at that" Peter responded, smiling as out of instinct his arm went around her shoulders. She settled closer, eyes flickering shut as she rested her head. "Do you want the radio on or some music?" he asked quietly both feeling the day to start to ebb from their bones; the house quiet at least for now.

"Yes. Either" she replied. "But in a little bit though. Just give it half an hour or so to make sure he has actually fallen asleep and wasn't playing one of his japes with me!"

"Alright".

She felt a kiss to her hairline and decided to bite the bullet before she could be distracted by radio shows or music or the basket of ironing in the kitchen or even Freddie waking up again.

"Peter?" she asked, taking up his other hand that was rested on his lap. There must have been something that he heard in her voice and knew the time was upon them.

"She wants us, me and her, to meet up to talk about things" he offered quickly; her feeling the tips of his fingers draw up and down the curve of her shoulder unsure whether he was trying to sooth her or amuse her. 'Things' was the best way he could find to describe it all without going into too much detail for now.

"Oh?" she squeaked.

"I told her I would be telling you and I wanted to speak to you before I made any kind of decision" Peter continued fingers still drifting up and over her arm. Underneath it all she was his best friend in the world as well as his wife and it was easy to be open with her. He had not thought twice about not saying anything to her.

"Do you want to?" she asked hesitantly, toying with the hem of his jumper; the closest thing she could find to engage nervous hands that were, despite herself and despite the bravado she had tried to convince herself of, starting to tremor.

Peter sighed. "Not particularly but I think I have to". He was still turning it over in his mind, deciding one minute to have it out and the next that it was better best forgotten and the door firmly closed. He was none to keen on what might be behind that door if he opened it wide and let the past drift through. There was no way on earth that he was ever going to be anything more than civil to her but they did have some good times back then and, having met at the age of 12, they knew each other inside out. Or at least they did. Then.

"Bring her here and do it in private" she said. It was the ultimate act of trust towards him that she could think of and indeed a test of her own self confidence that she could suggest it and allow the meeting to happen behind the closed doors of her - their - own home; their private domain and where they would see their family grow one day. Could she let the past invade? Particularly the past in the shape of a woman who had clearly meant so much to him?

"I was thinking of perhaps just up at the old recreation ground. It's quiet up there since they...". It suddenly registered what she had said. "What?"

Chummy sat up, now taking hold of the hand that had been wandering over her arm. "Bring her here and do it in private away from all and sundry".

"Camilla? Are you serious?" he asked sitting up too, not expecting that particular response. He hadn't thought of bringing her here; it was not really an option at all, but Peter could see that his wife was trying and he could only accept her entreaty. It was a matter it seemed, of needs must as far as he was concerned it could be attended to away from here but clearly she had other ideas.

"I think I better had be" Chummy replied. She breathed through her nose. Short and sharp as though she had finally made her mind up. "Its quiet here, private and nobody will know and you certainly will not be disturbed. I will take Fred up to your Ma and Dad for however long you need with her".

"You don't have to go and you certainly don't have to agree to her coming here" Peter replied earnestly. He had been quite prepared that if the conversation was to happen, it would not invade them. "I don't want you to think that somethings going on that shouldn't be".

"Oh you see my dear Peter, I do have to agree" she began. Chummy had rehearsed this bit over and over in her head on her walk home from clinic. "You are my husband. I said certain vows to you" she said, recalling Sister Evangelina's words to her not so long ago. "We said certain vows to each other and like you said once a while ago, we are going to be married to each other for a very long time. So..." she paused, feeling her heart beat. "You were - are - the first person in a long time who I can trust that has my best interests at heart. I have to trust you and I have to trust you will do the right thing by Freddie and me". She knew she had said the word 'trust' far too many times in two sentences but this was what it was all about after all.

"You know I will Camilla. I always intend to do the right thing for you and him". Peter shook his head slowly. "I am going listen to what she has to say, say anything I need to say in response and show her the door for good."

"I know". She leaned across and kissed him.

"And" Peter started. "I do appreciate how much it has taken for you to say she can come here".

"I need you to know I can see that and I can take confidence from it. That I can say to you that I am happy that you talk to her and I will be alright". For once it sounded as though she actually truly felt that way too even though her mind would be wandering whilst she was with his parents.

Peter smiled. "All you need to know is that I love you; and Freddie and I will do right by you. I do always try to..."

"I know you do" she responded, a subtle grin appearing briefly on her lips. That's the one thing she had noticed over and over again; that he would try his best for her and whilst he might not get it right all of the time she knew that she could be satisfied that he had her firmly in first place.

With his words still ringing in her ears, that Sunday, Chummy headed off to Reeves Road, Freddie in tow, to his parents house and left Peter at home to greet his visitor.