Maggie managed a smile. She felt hopeless. Like someone had pulled the plug in her and drained out every bit of strength and light.

‘My dad had gone, my house had gone, I didn’t know how I was going to take care of everyone, so …’ She shrugged. ‘I decided to accept him.’

Charity gasped and put her hands up to her face. ‘That’s one reason for chaining yourself to someone, I suppose. But do you love him? Does he love you?’

Maggie shook her head.

Jack Rosman didn’t love her, she knew that now. He loved someone else and although he was probably very fond of her, he didn’t love her in the way that a man should love his wife.

Charity frowned. ‘And what about your posting? Your essential work?’

‘I’d still do that. The wedding would have to wait.’

Charity winced. ‘So, do I need to buy a new hat?’ Her voice was tentative, as though she was braced for the worst. She certainly didn’t seem happy about the news.

Maggie shook her head. ‘No hats required,’ she said softly. ‘In the end, I turned him down.’

She’d spent a long time thinking of the right words to say to Jack. She’d written to him as soon as she got back from London, her head still reeling from the shock of everything that had happened.

She’d thanked Jack for his kind offer and told him she couldn’t marry him, not now, not ever. But she hoped they could still be friends and wished him all the very best.

And then, she’d waited and waited, in vain for Ray to come back to Snowden.

Charity was signalling for more drinks to the barman. ‘Well, I can’t say I’m not relieved. Apart from anything else, you’re too damn young to be getting married.’ She waggled her finger at Maggie. ‘You’ve got a lot of living to do, first! When are you off?’

‘I’ll get these,’ a man’s voice said, from a few feet away. It was an older chap with a patch over his eye. Maggie had seen him in here before. He was handing some coins to the barman, for their drinks.

‘That’s awfully kind, Ted, but what’s the occasion?’ Charity asked.

The man nodded at Maggie. ‘Little bird tells me this young lady’s off on war work. Important posting.’ He tapped his nose. ‘Hush-hush and all that. I’d just like to wish her Godspeed.’

There were no secrets around here, Maggie thought, as she and Charity exchanged wry smiles. Ted could ask all he liked about where she was going and what she’d be doing and there was no danger of Maggie spilling the beans because she didn’t know herself.