Joseph’s chest was tight. He rubbed his forehead and forced himself to lean against the doorframe and wait.

There was a pause, as she listened to whoever was speaking, then she said, ‘Very well. Goodbye,’ in a voice so devoid of emotion, that she might have been talking to an employee.

She carefully replaced the receiver. All her movements were precise and unhurried.

Joseph gave her a questioning look as she sauntered towards him. She wrinkled her nose. ‘Only wanted to hear a friendly voice,’ she said, reaching up to give him a peck on the cheek.

Now, she half turned towards him, as she sat at the dressing table. ‘Who on earth was that creature tonight with the donkey laugh? And the girl who covered herself in Beaujolais? I must say, Jay, they’re something of a motley crew. Are you sure you’ve done the right thing?’

Joseph frowned. It was true, they were only a skeleton staff and perhaps they wouldn’t all have been his first choice. Some chaps had resigned rather than move out of London; others had enlisted. He’d expected that. Casualties. But they’d manage. At least they were away from the beastly bombs.

Esther was gazing thoughtfully at her reflection in the mirror. ‘I shouldn’t be at all surprised if another girl hadn’t knocked her glass deliberately. Honestly, Jay, girls can be quite horrid.’

He looked up. ‘I know.’

‘She did look rather petrified. She’ll be heading back to London before you can say Jack Robinson. She won’t stick it out.’ She examined her front teeth in the mirror, pulled back and gave a satisfied nod. ‘Petty jealousies. I’ve known them all my life. She’s actually quite a pretty girl.’

‘Who?’

‘Mary, Martha or whatever her name is. The one who spilled the wine.’ Esther raised a finger. ‘Say, if she decides banking’s not for her, I’ve got just the job. I need a new maid.’

Joseph gritted his teeth and reached for his pyjamas, which were folded neatly on the pillow. ‘Please don’t start requisitioning my workers. I need everyone. I’m worried enough that they’ll tire of the country and want to head back to the bright lights. Bombs or no bombs.’

‘Only an idea,’ Esther said, waving her hand airily. ‘It’s impossible to get domestics these days, you know. Everyone’s off doing war work!’ She said it as though it were a bad thing.

‘Well, if that’s all you’ve got to worry about,’ he murmured, but she didn’t reply.

Esther had that dreamy look in her eyes again as though she was somewhere else entirely.

She snapped out of her reverie with a shake of the head and looked at his reflection in the mirror. ‘Good, so that’s the last of it? I’ve played my part. The dutiful wife. Smiled and welcomed everyone. You’re not expecting anything more?’