Hearing Maggie’s name, the young woman gasped and ran across the room to embrace her. Maggie was almost knocked off her feet. She hugged the woman back. She was a frail little thing. Maggie could feel the bones of her back through her thin coat.

‘I’ve sent the car for Rudi and Mrs Nicholls,’ Lord Ashford was saying. ‘They’ll be here any moment. It was my intention for you to be the first to hear the good news but you were away when I took the call. Mrs Nicholls knows but Rudi has no idea.’

‘Danke schön,’ Rudi’s mother whispered in Maggie’s ear and then she pulled back and took both of Maggie’s hands in hers and gazed at her with huge brown eyes. ‘Danke schön.’

It was all she had to give: her thanks. But it was enough.

* * *

That evening, in the village hall, Charity and Maggie took sixpences on the door as the audience filed in and started to take their seats.

‘Still no word from Ray?’ Charity asked gently.

Maggie shook her head. ‘Still no word.’

‘Well, it’s a great turn out!’ Charity said brightly. Villagers, Hall and bank staff, old and young, were streaming in, wrapped up against the cold night in coats, hats and scarves. The hall was soon full of laughter and chatter.

‘You’ll help with tea and biscuits in the interval, will you, Maggie?’ Charity asked. ‘Oh, and something else. You will stay in touch, won’t you?’

The girls looked at one another. Goodness, Charity looked suddenly incredibly sad.

‘Of course!’ Maggie said. ‘When I get some leave – maybe in the spring – I’ll be back. I’ve promised Miss Sharp I’ll try out her “skin airing”.’

‘You’re going to swim naked in the pool? That’s brave. Oh, go on then, I’ll do it too but only on condition there are no peeping Toms – or Norms or Bills!’

They laughed.

Maggie raised her eyebrows, as, just then, Miss Sharp and Big Bill appeared at the desk. Talk of the devil, she thought, greeting them warmly and holding out her hand for their money.

‘And you will try to go and see Vi for me, once or twice, won’t you?’ Maggie asked Charity. ‘She’s happy as Larry on the farm but it would set my mind at rest.’

Charity gave a firm nod. ‘Absolutely. I can’t promise it’ll be on a tandem, though!’

Maggie smiled, remembering, with a pang those happy days with Ray. ‘And while you’re there,’ she said, ‘be sure to ask to meet Seth. He’s a farmer, sounds like quite a catch. But he’s waiting for a goddess. He might just be your cup of tea.’

* * *

The concert was halfway through and it was going well. Maggie stood to one side of the stage, put her head around the curtain and peered out at the audience.