‘War, or no war,’ he continued, ‘our motto must be “business as usual”! But, enough of that, for a moment. This is, after all, a special occasion! Esther and I …’ He paused as they exchanged fond glances. ‘Esther and I want to welcome you to our home, in the hope that, in the coming weeks, it will become your home. And that includes those of you who are billeted in the village. Please, do, think of Snowden Hall as your home too.’

He paused for a second and raised a finger to a nearby waiter, who swiftly brought him a glass of whisky on a tray.

He took a sip before resuming his speech. ‘I’ve brought you here because you are our most important assets. Yes, you.’

Everyone grew silent and serious.

‘We have important work to do. We’re not on the front line, it’s true; we don’t wear uniforms—’ he raised his glass to the airman who had reappeared and was standing alone, at the back ‘—or carry rifles and, yet, the work of the bank is vital to the war effort. More vital than perhaps you know.’

He paused. ‘When war comes, it asks questions of us all. Are we strong or weak? Capable or chaotic? Will we crumple or cope? Sometimes the answers aren’t what we hoped but one thing is certain: none of us will be the same when this war is over, as we were when it began.’

There were murmurs of agreement.

He smiled. ‘But it’s my fervent wish that you’ll be happy here. Thank you for agreeing to come and to leave your families and friends behind. It won’t be forever. This war will be over, one day. It will be won—’

‘Hear, hear!’ a man’s voice called out.

‘—and you will be reunited with those you love. But in the meantime, I hope you’ll find friends and a kind of family here, at Snowden.’ Lord Ashford raised his glass. ‘To us. And to victory!’

Everyone joined him in lifting their glasses. ‘To victory!’

Tears sprang into Maggie’s eyes. That word, family, was a reminder of all she’d lost. Mutti was goodness only knew where and little Violet was living among strangers. Please God, let them be kind to her.

Now Lord Ashford’s speech was over, people were moving away and reforming in little clusters around the lawn and terrace.

Maggie glanced around. She couldn’t see anyone she knew; none of the gang from the train, as she was starting to think of them. She wondered where Charity had got to and whether she might find her again.

The glass of horrible wine in her hand was still almost completely full. She couldn’t bear to take another sip. Perhaps she could put it down somewhere, or tip it into one of those stone urns, without being seen.