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cooled stew into Daisy’s mouth. She was rather worried about Sarah, if the truth was told. It was a long, exposed walk across the hills from the estate where she worked in the office for the Women’s Timber Corps – and it was pitch black out there.
    Ten minutes later she realised she couldn’t keep everyone waiting any longer and began to dish up. She had just sat down when she heard the front door slam and hurrying footsteps across the hall. Looking up as the girl entered the kitchen, she realised immediately that Sarah had not walked home, for her WTC uniform was only lightly speckled with rain. Curiosity sparked, but she made no mention of her appearance, for no doubt Sarah would explain sooner or later.
    â€˜You’re very late,’ Peggy said. ‘I was getting worried about you.’
    â€˜I’m so sorry, Auntie Peg,’ Sarah said rather breathlessly as she took off her heavy overcoat. ‘We had an audit, and it went on much longer than we expected. I would have telephoned, but Captain Hammond insisted upon giving me a lift home, and promised I wouldn’t be more than a few minutes later than usual.’ She glanced at the clock on the mantel as if to confirm this.
    At the mention of this mysterious Captain Hammond, Peggy’s natural curiosity was on full alert. ‘Well, it is only twenty minutes over your usual time,’ she said as she served the stew. ‘It was very kind of the Captain to bring you home,’ she continued with studied care. ‘You should have brought him in and introduced him.’
    â€˜He had to get back to his duties,’ Sarah replied.
    Fran giggled. ‘Perhaps she’s keeping him all to herself, Auntie Peg.’
    Sarah reddened. ‘It’s not like that at all,’ she said firmly. ‘He just gave me a lift home when he realised how far I had to walk in this appalling weather.’
    â€˜I just bet he did,’ retorted Fran sourly. ‘The Yanks are nothing but charming and helpful when they’re after something.’
    Sarah carefully put down her knife and fork. ‘Fran, don’t be like that. You had a bad experience with that Chuck, I know, but not all Americans are out for what they can get. Captain Hammond is an ordinary, very nice man who kindly offered me a lift – so I’d appreciate it if you didn’t make more of it than it really is.’
    Fran was about to reply when Peggy cut in sharply. ‘Sarah’s right, Fran. You’re trying to make something out of nothing. And you seem to forget that Sarah’s engaged to Philip. She isn’t interested in other men.’
    Fran reddened at the mild rebuke. ‘I was just teasing,’ she muttered.
    As the meal progressed and Harvey was surreptitiously fed morsels of the rabbits he’d helped to catch, the atmosphere lightened and conversation flowed round the table. Rita rushed in looking very pretty in a pink sweater and black slacks, her dark eyes bright with anticipation of her evening out. Having kissed Peggy and Cordelia goodbye, she pulled on a raincoat and headscarf and rushed out again to meet Matthew in the Anchor for a drink before the pictures.
    Once the dishes were cleared away and washed, Peggy bathed Daisy and settled her in her cot with her favourite teddy. She then made another pot of rather weak tea while Jane read the newspaper, Fran opened her vanity case, Sarah did some mending and Cordelia tackled her knitting with help and advice from Suzy.
    Ron warily eyed the vanity case, scissors and brushes. ‘Well, I’ll be off to walk Harvey and then see Rosie,’ he said as he dragged on the long waterproof poacher’s coat over his second-best trousers, reasonably new shirt and knitted sweater. ‘This is no place for man nor beast if you’re about to turn it into a beauty parlour.’
    Harvey eagerly wagged his tail and followed closely behind Ron’s heels as he went down the