‘There’s going to be a war,’ Max was saying, his face grim, his tone matter-of-fact. ‘Why else the rearmament programme? Why else the fevered building of battleships and submarines? German naval personnel has tripled over the last couple of years. The army has trebled in strength and House of Remer order books are full to bursting. And the orders are all for armaments.’

No one looked towards Nancy, but everyone was aware of how her hand tightened on the gin and tonic she had poured herself.

‘War with who?’ Lotti asked, her legs curled up beneath her, Tinker resting comfortably against them. ‘France? Britain?’

‘Not Britain. Not if Hitler can avoid it.’ It was Hugo who answered her. He was seated on the opposite sofa, next to Hester. ‘The Foreign Office are taking the line that it’s Germany’s neighbours to the east who are most at risk of German aggression. Britain also has army and navy expansionist plans under way.’

‘Forgive me for being dim,’ Lotti said, her voice indicating she didn’t think she was dim at all, ‘but why is Britain so unexcited by all this German rearmament?’

‘Because Britain is giving Germany the benefit of the doubt,’ Hugo said wearily. ‘When Hitler says Germany has no intention of being anything other than friendly towards Britain, our Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary believe him.’

‘And you don’t?’ Adam asked, puffing on a pipe.

‘No. Like everyone else in this room, I’m too familiar with what is going on in Germany to put any trust in anything he says. Baldwin and Eden may think they are dealing with a fellow statesman who honours agreements and treaties, but they aren’t. Hitler is a dangerous opportunist.’

‘Hitler is a barbarian,’ Hester said quietly, her face pinched and pale beneath the soft cloud of her dark hair.

Hugo looked around at his family. ‘I’ll give you an update on what is happening to people like Hester’s parents when little ears aren’t listening in. I don’t want to give Emily Elise nightmares.’

Hearing the tension in his voice, Vicky felt her heart contract. Germany was no longer a country she wanted those she loved living in and the minute she was alone with Hugo she intended wringing a promise from him that he would ask for a transfer to an embassy somewhere else. Until then, the obvious thing was for Hester and her parents to leave Germany for England. There was plenty of room for them at Shuttleworth Hall and whatever the legal paperwork where Hester’s parents were concerned, Hugo, with all his Foreign Office expertise, was well equipped to handle it.

The opportunity came that evening as Hester, Lotti, Emily Elise, Max, Paul and Nancy were all decorating the tree.

As there were already sufficient pairs of hands at work, Vicky was seated on one of the sofas, a glass of sherry in her hand.

Hugo, who had been helping Adam bring in a fresh batch of logs for the fire, sat down beside her.