She was going to have to answer. Who would she like? Not someone like her dad, that was for sure. She envied Elsie her nice, kind dad. But, unlike Elsie, she couldn’t put up with anyone ugly. Not when you thought about the facts of life. She shuddered. She couldn’t even think of doing anything like that with someone who wasn’t at least the tiniest bit gorgeous.

There was Jack, of course. She’d like someone like him, but she couldn’t say it. If she was being honest with herself, could she even dream it? He was, like Pam said, rather like a blackberry that was out of her reach.

Everyone was waiting.

Maggie sighed. ‘I dunno. Cary Grant would do.’

The girls laughed then, agreeing with her.

‘A man in uniform, for certain,’ she continued. ‘Someone in the services, doing his bit. Someone I can have respect for.’

She hadn’t expected to say so much. She blushed, feeling everyone’s eyes on her. They looked uncomfortable. Everyone was silent. Nancy pulled a face and Miss Sharp coughed.

What was the matter? Oh, blow. Ray! Ray, who wasn’t in uniform. She’d forgotten about him. He was probably offended.

She’d answered without thinking. She didn’t dare look over and catch his eye. Just when they’d made up again, too. She quickly plucked some blackberries from the brambles, not caring about the thorns or the nettles that stung her hand.

‘I SAY!’ Pam yelled. ‘Look at this! It’s a queer kind of blackberry. Anyone know what it is?’

She was holding something between her thumb and forefinger.

‘What colour?’ Charity called. ‘Hold on, I’ll come and take a look.’

‘It’s black,’ Pam said. ‘Like a bead of jet.’

The others gathered round and Pam held the berry out for inspection in the palm of her hand.

‘That’s deadly nightshade,’ Charity said, after a quick glance. ‘You’d better wash your hands when you get back. It’s awfully poisonous.’

Everyone gasped and Nancy screamed.

‘Steady on, Nancy,’ Pam said. ‘You’re not even within two feet of it!’

Nancy bit her lip. ‘Sorry. Nervous disposition. When France fell, I got hysterical, didn’t I, Pam?’ She turned to the others. ‘Pam had to slap me round the face.’ She touched her cheek, as though remembering.

‘How many of these would it take to kill a person?’ Pam asked.

Charity shrugged. ‘A handful, maybe. Not many. Don’t mix them up with the blackberries, will you? Look, here’s where the plant’s growing. Let’s steer clear of this patch and pick from the brambles over there.’

‘Quite right,’ Ray said. ‘I was going to suggest that myself.’

Pam was like a dog with a bone, she couldn’t stop her questions. ‘Do you think it’s a very painful death?’ she asked.

Charity frowned. ‘Why, who are you hoping to bump off?’