Meanwhile, Norm and Bill were bragging about the arctic temperatures they’d overcome and the number of lengths they’d managed. They had, they assured everyone, definitely got the edge on their colleagues Mr Gill and Mr Whitehouse, who’d cycled up from the village for a dip.

‘That’s hardly surprising,’ Ray said, stretching across the table to take his cup from Pam. ‘You’re about half their age!’

‘You should try it, Raymondo,’ Bill said. ‘It means getting up extra early but we’ll give you a shove.’

‘Not allowed,’ Ray said. ‘Doctor’s orders. I’ve had rheumatic fever.’

‘What about you, Geoff?’ Bill asked.

Geoff jumped, as though he hadn’t expected anyone to speak to him. ‘I c-c-can’t swim,’ he admitted.

Maggie thought one of the chaps might offer to teach him. Everyone should have the chance to learn to swim, after all. Blimey, if she only had a swimsuit – and the nerve – she’d get in that bloomin’ water and teach him herself.

‘All that splashing around doesn’t half build an appetite,’ Norm said. ‘I say, Maggie, are you going to eat that other piece of toast or …?’

She looked down at her plate. She’d been about to eat the toast with a dollop of carrot jam, which wasn’t too bad if you spread it thickly. But she felt sorry for him. A big chap like Norm needed food more than her.

‘You have it,’ she said and was rewarded with a smile.

‘So, what’s everyone doing with their half day?’ Elsie asked. She peered around Big Bill and looked out of the window. ‘Sun’s shining out there. Let’s hope it lasts until this afternoon.’

‘We’re going to take the bicycles out and see how far we can get, aren’t we, chaps?’ Bill said.

‘First I’ve heard of it,’ Ray said, sounding put out.

‘Oh, yes. Do you want to tag along?’ Bill asked.

Maggie winced and looked down at the tablecloth. Bill couldn’t have made it more obvious if he’d tried that Ray had been left out of their plans. She felt a momentary pang for him but he was braving it out.

‘No,’ he said, shaking his head. ‘I’ve got something else to do, thank you very much.’

Miss Sharp got out of her seat and made a show of looking at her watch. ‘Time to start work, everyone! We women know exactly how we’re going to spend this afternoon, don’t we?’

* * *

Later that day, Miss Sharp’s shrill voice filled the air, as Maggie strolled back towards the house from the stable yard.

‘And a one and a two and a one, two, three – KICK!’

The much-anticipated ‘Keep Fit’ session had started. The other girls had talked about nothing else since Miss Sharp had announced it at breakfast.