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‘My lord, there is a telephone call for you. It is Mr Welchman. I told him you were at dinner and he asked if you would ring him back when you have a moment. I have written his number on the pad.’
    ‘What the devil does he want?’ Marcus said.
    ‘We have finished our meal, so go and find out,’ Chloe said. ‘I’ll have coffee sent to the drawing room.’
    ‘Coffee?’ queried Gilbert, as his father disappeared. ‘Have you still got coffee, Mama?’
    ‘I stocked up last year, but unless I can find a new supply we shall soon run out. We’ll have to drink that dreadful Camp. God knows what that’s made of, but it’s not coffee beans. Let’s go into the drawing room so that Margaret can clear away.’
    On the way, they passed the Earl, apparently listening intently to his caller. ‘Can’t you tell me anything about it?’ they heard him say before going out of earshot.
    He followed them a few minutes later and accepted a cup of black coffee from his wife. ‘What was that all about?’ she asked him.
    ‘I don’t know. It’s all very hush-hush. He wants me to take Prue to see him.’
    ‘Me?’ she queried in astonishment. ‘Whatever for?’
    ‘He might have a job for you. He wouldn’t tell me what it was except that it is important for the war effort. If you are interested we have to go up to London tomorrow.’
    ‘What sort of job?’
    ‘I haven’t the faintest idea.’
    ‘All these secrets,’ Chloe said. ‘I hate secrets and I hate it when you won’t tell me.’
    ‘I can’t tell you because I don’t know myself.’
    ‘Well, I hope it’s not dangerous.’
    They smiled at this. Everyone was in some measure of danger, whatever they did. You didn’t have to be in the forces or even in London; in Longfordham with an airfield being built on their doorstep they were also vulnerable. ‘I was assured it was not,’ he said.
    ‘Why me?’ Prue asked.
    ‘I don’t know that either, but he mentioned being given your name by Edward Travis.’
    ‘Who is Edward Travis?’
    ‘Commander Edward Travis. I knew him years ago. He went into the navy. I haven’t seen him in years.’
    ‘The answer to your prayers, Sis,’ Gilbert said.
    ‘I don’t know what it is yet.’
    ‘What time will you have to leave?’ Tim asked.
    ‘We’ll go up on the nine o’clock train,’ the Earl told him. ‘But you don’t have to hurry away. Stay as long as you like.’
    ‘Thank you, but my parents are expecting me, so I’ll catch the eight o’clock to Cambridge. I can get a connection there.’ He reached for Prue’s hand and squeezed it. ‘But it was very good of you to have me.’
    ‘You are very welcome,’ the Countess said.
    ‘Let’s go and have a wander in the grounds,’ Prue said, standing up.
    The clocks had gone forward two hours in March – they called it double summer time – because the extra daylight helped the farmers who were expected to grow most of the nation’s food. In September it was light until late in the evening and still warm, so they fetched jackets and left the house by a side door and wandered down the drive. She hung onto his arm and put her head on his shoulder. ‘I love this place,’ she said. ‘It’s so peaceful. You’d never know there’s a war on, except all the young, fit men are disappearing one by one.’
    ‘Let’s pray it always stays peaceful,’ he said. ‘Haven’t you any idea what you are wanted for?’
    ‘Not a clue.’
    ‘I hope it won’t mean living in London. I couldn’t bear to think of you being bombed. I need to feel you are safe.’
    ‘You are being very serious all of a sudden.’
    ‘War is a serious business. And my feelings for you are serious. You do know that, don’t you?’
    ‘I was beginning to wonder.’
    ‘What about you? May I hope?’
    ‘Of course you may hope.’
    ‘Oh, Prue.’ He looked back. They were out of sight of the house. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her soundly. ‘I don’t think it’s right to get