Charity slammed her hand down on the table, making Maggie jump. ‘There’s your answer! Does your pal the airman have access to a vehicle? He looks like the kind of chap that could pull a few strings.’

‘He goes back and forth to London with Lord Ashford’s driver,’ Maggie said, ‘but that’s bank business. They’re taking important documents. He doesn’t have his own and even if he did, petrol’s rationed. No joy riding allowed.’

Her heart skipped a beat. It would certainly be a joy, such a joy, to see Violet.

‘Horse, then?’ Charity joked. She didn’t yet know about Maggie’s encounter with Lady Ashford and the wild black horse on Sunday. Maggie would make Charity laugh with that story before they left the pub.

Charity shrugged. ‘That’s it, then. You’ve no other option, Mags.’ She nudged her and clinked her glass against Maggie’s. ‘The tandem it is! Good luck! I’d say, he’s actually the answer to your prayers! Ray Maguire is your man!’

Chapter 21

‘Are you quite sure that’s absolutely necessary, Mr Maguire?’ Miss Sharp exclaimed, making everyone look up from their work.

It was Thursday morning, the bank had been at Snowden for a week and Ray had gone to Miss Sharp with his idea as soon as they’d all settled at their desks after breakfast. He had to get his Nibs’ permission but he was sure Miss Sharp would approve; she was such a stickler for protocol. But he’d forgotten that, in Miss Sharp’s eyes, he couldn’t do a thing right.

‘Don’t you think you’re being somewhat over-zealous?’ she continued, loudly, peering up at him over her spectacles.

Oh, why didn’t the stupid woman shut up? Her voice echoed up through the high ceiling and down the Long Gallery and, once again, it was as though they were putting on a show.

Ray gazed out at the rows of desks and the curious faces of his colleagues. Pam was hiding a smile ineffectually behind her hand.

‘It’s not like we’re in a city,’ Elsie piped up. Trust her to put in her two pennies’ worth. This was a private conversation he’d have her know: a Management Decision. ‘It’s not like the sirens are going to go off.’

Ray coughed. ‘True. But say there is an incident?’ He put his hand up to silence the few who tried to interrupt him. ‘I don’t want to cause alarm but …’ he had their attention now. Even Big Bill had stopped sifting papers and was reclining in his chair, arms folded, listening.

‘Say the worst happens and the Nazis do invade.’ There were a few sharp intakes of breath. The usually steely Miss Sharp put her hand to her chest and gave a little gasp.

‘Look at France and the Channel Islands,’ he said. ‘We could be next.’