She couldn't help it, she jumped at Ann's touch and the words... Mary winced but turned a puzzled look on her sister as she heard herself saying, "What are you talking about, Ann? Jon wasn't so bad- just the drinking and his temper didn't always go so well together..." Defending Jon still came as a reflex although she couldn't work out why, except that maybe if she said it enough it would make it true. Maybe Jon had just liked to drink. Surely Ann just knew about the bruises. No one else knew the rest... did they? Christ, she was going to have to ask Slater. She just hoped her expression didn't betray her thoughts.
"Harry's got a lot on his mind, but he really oughtn't to be making you think such things. Honestly, you ought to tell him off for being so heartless." She touched Ann's hand with only a little hesitancy. "Lord if Mum could see us all now."