“I see you’ve told her about taking part in the May Queen ceremony.” she says. Billy gulps and nods, fully expecting to be told to rewrite the letter with such details removed… but much to his surprise she routes out the old newspaper and suggests sending her the cutting of the May Queen photograph and its accompanying article.
A couple of weeks later, Billy receives a return letter from his mother and it’s not good news. Father had contracted gangrene in hospital which meant his leg had to be amputated, and unfortunately his father didn’t make it through the operation. Through tearful eyes, Billy read the letter to the end before sobbing uncontrollably in Mrs Postlethwaite’s arms. Alice watched from the staircase, her heart sank as she imagined the pain that Billy must be going through. Alice
