Kath Deacon was standing in the doorway, Tabby curled up against her chest. ‘Found ’er in me yard, sitting in a puddle of sunshine.’

Maggie didn’t know whether to be pleased or cross. Of all the people to find her!

‘Ta, Kath, but it’s too late. I’ve missed the bus and the train now.’

She hadn’t intended to blurt out quite so much information but as a wave of tiredness washed over her, she suddenly didn’t care anymore.

Kath glanced down at the small case, standing by the door. ‘Off on your ’olidays? No, course not. Tell me to mind me own, eh? You could still catch a cab, couldn’t you? Leg it up to the High Street and flag down one of them black cabs. Provided they can get through, would you make it to the station then?’

Maggie pursed her lips. It was an idea. As long as the roads weren’t blocked, a taxi would probably get her there in time. But that would cost a small fortune. She didn’t have it. No, she couldn’t do it.

‘’Ere.’ Kath put Tabby down and placed some coins on the kitchen table.

Maggie looked at the money. ‘I can’t.’

‘You can. Give it me back, one day. We’ll call it a loan.’

There wasn’t time to argue. Maggie put the coins in a pocket, muttered a thank you and picked up the cat. Then, to the obvious surprise of both her neighbour and Tabby, she placed the cat in a carpet bag and closed it up. Tabby let out an indignant miaow.

Maggie didn’t look back, or leave a note; she simply left.

* * *

‘Whoa up!’ the driver called now, pulling on the reins.

The horse came to a juddering halt in front of Snowden Hall. The car that had brought the others from the station, was already there.

The cart creaked as the men jumped out and landed with a crunch on the gravelled drive.

‘Cor, look! Cabbages!’ the red-headed chap exclaimed. The borders around the drive had been turned into a giant vegetable patch, with neat rows of cabbages, beetroot and long green stems of brussels sprouts visible in the dark soil. The war effort had even reached the countryside.

Tabby popped her head out of the carpet bag and Maggie gave her a reassuring stroke.

The men were in high spirits, joking and shoving one another, as they heaved the bags off the cart. They seemed oblivious to her, sitting up at the front, waiting for someone to give her a hand down.

Maggie envied them their easy repartee and confidence. She was full of doubts. What was she doing here? She glanced at the gas mask in her lap. Did she even need this anymore?