He hadn’t thought it necessary to add ‘No pets’ to the instruction sheet that he’d issued to all staff. Married couples were to be billeted around the estate or in houses in the village; the single men and women, or those, like Norman Keeling, who weren’t bringing spouses, were to be put up in dorms in the house itself. No children, obviously. Clearly, he’d failed in his task. He should have also made clear: no pets.

He’d got it all wrong about Maggie Corbett. She was nothing but a silly little girl who’d brought her pet cat with her to work! With a bit of luck, the blasted cat wouldn’t be found before they arrived at their destination and that would be the end of it.

Suddenly, a huge cheer went up. One of the soldiers, grinning broadly, held up the offending article – cradled surprisingly tenderly in his large hands – a striped brown and white cat. ‘’Ere he is! Found ’isself a nice warm corner in the guard’s van!’

The guard’s van! Ray slapped his hand on his forehead. It was getting worse. There’d probably be an excess fare to pay or a fine for bringing an animal on board.

Maggie took the cat back and then, blushing, she thanked all the soldiers. ‘Thank you, Ted, thanks so much, Mickey … Well done, Sam …’

Blimey, she knew their names! They’d all clearly had a whale of a time. One of the soldiers who seemed especially solicitous, helped Maggie return the cat to the carpet bag.

‘She doesn’t seem any worse for wear,’ Maggie said, turning to Ray.

‘I’m so glad.’

She looked at him warily. ‘I think I’d better stay out here in the corridor.’

‘Yes, you better had.’ He checked his pocket watch. ‘Should only be another hour or so. Here …’ He fished into his pocket and held up a ticket. ‘If the guard comes, you’ll need this. And hide the stupid cat, won’t you?’

Chapter 4

Snowden Hall, September 1940

‘Oh, excuse me! I do beg your pardon!’ Joseph had almost flown into the parlour, expecting it to be empty, only to find he’d burst in on a knitting circle.

The women – seven or eight of them – looked equally surprised. Eyes widened in alarm, needles were dropped in panic. He stepped backwards and started to pull the door to, as Mrs Mason leapt to her feet.

‘Your Lordship!’

Joseph put his head back around the door and smiled. They all looked so worried; he didn’t want them to think he was cross.

He’d been searching for his Longines watch, a birthday present from Esther. He had to keep taking it off because the metal gave him a rash on his wrist. He was forever losing it.