‘Kings Heath. I’ve got my own little place. The old man bought it, more as an investment really, but he said he didn’t think us living and working together forever was the best of ideas. Especially after my being at the university. They thought I ought to stand on my own feet. They’ve still got my brother living at home. My sister’s married – with a couple of kids.’ He peered out of the windscreen as they slowed down again. ‘It’s flaming dicey, this blackout driving . . . What about you – your family, I mean?’

‘Oh, there’s only me and Mom. No brothers or sisters. My father died when I was very small.’

‘That’s sad. My goodness, I can’t imagine that – growing up on your own. It must make you very independent.’

Katie thought back to her odd, secretive childhood. ‘I suppose everyone’s different,’ she said carefully.

She enjoyed bowling along in the car, passing a couple of buses on the way, and the blacked-out cars and trams. All too soon they were pulling up outside the house. Simon cut off the engine.

‘Well – thanks very much,’ she said, reaching for the handle.

‘Wait – just a minute.’ He put his hand on her arm. She leapt inside.

‘What is it?’ She tried to keep her voice steady.

‘Look, Katie – I know we work in the same office, and we all have to be careful of our behaviour and such like. But would you come out with me? For a drink or something? You’re – well, I think you’re a really nice girl and I’d like to get to know you better. I could call for you . . .’

She was so excited, her heart beating so fast, she could hardly think what to say. Simon Collinge, asking her out! But she wasn’t allowed out: what would Mom say? Her mind was working very fast. All she could think of was that she must say yes, that seeing him again was the only thing that mattered, whatever else. She’d get round Mom somehow.

‘I’d like that,’ she said, thinking how weak that sounded compared to what she meant.

‘Tomorrow? Go on: say yes!’

‘All right – yes!’

‘Good, tomorrow it is.’ She saw that he had expected her to agree, assumed he would get what he wanted in life, and for a second she felt a niggle of resistance to him. But she wanted it too, so much! And he looked so delighted she had agreed that it took away any doubt. He leaned quickly towards her, and for a dizzy moment she thought he was going to kiss her cheek, but instead he released the door and pushed it open.

‘Well, good. Marvellous! I’ll see you in the morning. Goodbye, Katie. Have a good evening.’

‘Bye,’ she said, still recovering from the non-kiss. ‘Thanks for the lift.

‘My pleasure.’