It reminded Ray of a Cub Scout camping trip to Essex, when he was eleven. There was a group of Girl Guides at the other end of the field and Akela had warned them that if any boys were found in the girls’ tents, they’d be sent straight home. Boys and girls didn’t mix. It was too dangerous.

Ray smiled. He’d enjoyed the Scouts. The last – the only time – he’d been in uniform. The following year, when his dad died, he’d had to leave the Scouts for good.

‘You’re the man of the house now, son,’ Uncle Larry or Uncle Bob or someone had told him.

PFEEEEEEEEE! The guard blew his whistle. Blast! That was it, then.

But the next moment, the guard was yelling, ‘Get a move on, Miss!’

Ray wheeled around and there she was: Maggie Corbett, staggering across the platform towards him. She had a small black suitcase in one hand, a bulky carpet bag in the other and the strap of her gas mask over one shoulder. Her felt hat was about to fall off, her face was flushed and she was grimacing, as though in pain.

‘Here!’ Ray leapt forward, grabbed the case and tried to take the carpet bag but she pulled it back.

‘No, I can manage,’ she gasped, straightening her hat.

There was a high-pitched squeal of brakes and a hiss of steam.

‘Quick!’ Ray yelled. ‘It’s moving off!’

They’d have to jump on and find their seats later. It was a disaster. This was exactly the scenario he’d planned so carefully to avoid.

Ray had a sudden image of himself falling down the gap between train and platform, squashed to a pulp or getting his leg stuck and being dragged along the platform, yelling in agony.

A woman – Pam, no doubt – was screaming encouragement through the window. There wasn’t time to imagine more disasters; if he didn’t act now, it would be too late.

They were running alongside the train, which was speeding up. Ray switched Maggie’s case into his other hand, turned the heavy metal handle of the nearest door and yanked it open.

‘Come on, I’ll lift you!’ He grabbed Maggie by the back of her coat and heaved and pushed her up onto the step. It was hardly gallant or gentlemanly but needs must. Then he threw the case in after her and jumped on board. The train gave a sudden jolt and Ray caught Maggie’s arm just in time to stop her falling.

He was vaguely aware of shouting and cat calls. Men’s voices. The open door was swinging wildly and Ray held onto his trilby with one hand and leaned out to try to reach it. The platform was flashing by. He grabbed the door, pulled it back using all his strength and slammed it shut.

Bloody hell, they’d done it.