'We were all changed after the war, all monstrous. father had died. Mother had gone mad, Kath had become a journalist. She wore pants and smoked cigarettes. She was still married to Harvey, but when he came back from overseas he had a stump in place of his right leg. It was made from wood of an apple tree ans, if he was feeling playful - which wasn't often - he'd pluck apples from his pockets and say they'd grown there.' (Introduction)