A few minutes after, we see Veronica at the last few moments before the bombs, and the tiniest thing is irritating her, even Sarah biting her fingernails sparks an angry response – ‘”Stop doing that” she said angrily’. She is obviously nervous at this point, as anyone would be put in a similar situation. It is likely that she is worried about what might happen.
At the end of the war, she seems to be trying to blot the whole past out of her mind (including her husband, Sarah’s father), as she says ‘He wont be able to come to us…no point in hoping’. She does not attempt to console Sarah – as Sarah is not her own daughter, and is old enough to find her own solution to the situation.
Later that day, William is throwing a tantrum because he can’t let Buster in, and Veronica throws a tantrum with him and Buster. She seems not to have calmed down from earlier, as again she does not try to explain to William why she can’t let Buster in.
Later that evening, Veronica seems to have (finally) calmed down, and explains to Sarah that she would commit suicide now, but she ‘has William and Sarah to think of. She is determined to be responsible and brave, and it is easy to sympathise with her at this point.
The next morning, she wakes up with tearstains on her face, after denying the morning many times. Veronica was obviously thinking of Sarah’s father; she is upset, but is trying to put on a brave face.
Another day later, Veronica goes outside. Before that, she warns Sarah to go under the table with William & Catherine. She seems to have given up hope of getting out of the situation alive, so she is willing to sacrifice her own well-being to the dust. She is trying to be very noble here.
A few minutes after, Veronica is still outside, and William is trying to get out. William has come out from underneath the table, and is calling to Veronica. She now loses her temper (yet again), and ‘”Go back under that table”, she said savagely’. She seems depressed, despite her attempts to be noble. She seems to have a lot of aggression pent up inside her, and she is (non-intentionally) using William as a vent for it.
Later that day, Veronica has gone into a trance of sorts and won’t eat (or even speak). She may be attempting to be noble, or she may just be in a mood (possibly a deep state of depression, almost a trance).
The next mourning (I know I’ve spelled it wrongly, but it seems more appropriate), William has throw a tantrum because he wants a Mars bar (‘”You buy me a Mars bar, Mummy”, he shouted’). Veronica seems to now have given up all hope, and has just ‘switched off’. She has realised that when (even if) they get outside, there will be nothing there for them – everything has died.
Later that day, Sarah discovers that dust has been coming down the chimney (‘Dust…look at it’, ‘Where is it coming from’), and Veronica seems to have ‘switched back on’ again. She cleans like she has never cleaned before, and seems to have discovered a new purpose. She has seen that there may be hope after all if they get out.