Read The Girls in Blue for Free Online Page A

knowledge in the family that the only effort Maggie put into her homemade potion was to pour hot water onto Eiffel Tower lemonade crystals and mix. It did not take a culinary genius but the end result was refreshing and delicious. The rock cakes were another matter.
    ‘Do have one,’ Maggie said, offering the plate to Rita. ‘Don’t be shy.’
    Rita took one. ‘Ta,’ she said, eyeing it doubtfully.
    Miranda could not let the side down and she bit into hers, giving Rita an encouraging smile as she chewed and swallowed the sawdust-dry offering.
    ‘I can’t say that cooking is my forte,’ Maggie said modestly. ‘But everyone loves my rock cakes, although it’s difficult with rationing, but we manage somehow. Unfortunately the ham joint was the last of poor Percy. I don’t think I can face keeping a pig again; it’s too traumatic when one has to send the poor thing to the abattoir. I grew to love that grumpy old fellow.’
    Rita choked and reached for the lemonade.
    ‘Won’t you have one, Granny?’ Miranda proffered the plate, knowing that her grandmother would refuse, but unable to resist the temptation to tease her just a little.
    ‘No, dear. I’m not at all hungry.’ Maggie cocked her head on one side, listening to the sound of heavy footsteps outside the back door. ‘That will be your grandfather, Miranda. Now whatever you do, don’t mention Dunkirk.’
    ‘Why not?’
    ‘He’s only just recovering, darling. Like a mad fool he forgot that he’s no longer a young man and insisted on accompanying Colonel Winterton in his motor cruiser when he risked life and limb to save those poor souls stranded on the beaches. I begged him not to go but he wouldn’t listen to me.’
    ‘Cor blimey.’ Rita’s eyes widened. ‘You don’t say so.’
    ‘I do say so, Rita. They were foolhardy but extremely brave, and they saved the lives of sixteen men. Sadly the colonel suffered a heart attack soon after they got back to England and he died. It was a sad end to a courageous venture, so please don’t say anything. Your grandfather doesn’t like to talk about it.’
    Miranda nodded vigorously. She had never thought of her grandfather in the light of being anything other than a slightly eccentric but lovable old man. Now suddenly she was seeing him as something of a hero. ‘I wouldn’t have mentioned it anyway, but I’m glad you told me.’ She looked round and smiled as her grandfather strode into the kitchen. He stopped suddenly, staring from one to the other with a bemused expression on his leonine features.
    ‘Miranda? You weren’t due until tomorrow.’ He crossed the floor and gave her a hug.
    ‘I’m afraid we got it wrong, George,’ Maggie said with a rueful smile. ‘Apparently we mistook the date and the poor girl was left waiting at the station with no one to meet her.’
    ‘I could have sworn it was tomorrow. Never mind, you’re here now and I see you’ve brought a friend with you.’ He released Miranda and turned to Rita, holding out his hand. ‘And you are?’
    Rita glanced anxiously at Miranda. ‘I really ought to be going now.’
    ‘He won’t bite,’ Miranda whispered. ‘Shake hands. It’s the done thing.’ She turned to her grandfather. ‘This is Rita Platt, Grandpa. She came from London on the same train as me, but there wasn’t anyone to meet her either.’
    ‘How do you do, Rita?’
    Somewhat reluctantly, Rita shook his hand. ‘How do, mister?’
    ‘We have to get in touch with the woman who’s to take her in,’ Maggie said firmly. ‘Who is she, dear? I forgot to ask her name.’
    ‘Mrs Proffitt. Hilda Proffitt of Belle View Road. Me mum used to char for her when the old girl lived in London. It was all arranged.’
    ‘Proffitt,’ Maggie said, frowning. ‘Hilda Proffitt ran the flower club.’
    ‘Ran?’ George raised his bushy eyebrows so that they merged with his mop of wild grey hair. ‘Do you mean that the poor lady is dead?’

Chapter Three
    A SHARP INTAKE of