He drove to the Seaway. To a section of the beach they knew very well. She loves it here. This wide expanse of sand and the old sea. She has often wished she could do what she fancied: one thing she fancies. Which is to drive very near to the end of the sands until the tyres of the car touched the water. Of course it is a very foolish idea as he pointed out sharply to her the first time she thought aloud about it. It was in his occasional I-am-more-than-old-enough-to-be-your-father tone. There are always disadvantages. Things could be different. Like if one had a younger lover. Handsome, maybe not rich like this man here, but well-off, sufficiently well-off to be able to afford a sports car. A little something very much like those in the films driven by the white racing drivers. With tyres that can do everything . . . and they would drive exactly where the sea and the sand meet.

‘We are here.’

‘Don’t let’s get out. Let’s just sit inside and talk.’

‘Talk?’

‘Yes.’

‘Okay. But what is it, my darling?’

‘I have told my sister about you.’

‘Good God. Why?’

‘But I had to. I couldn’t keep it to myself any longer.’

‘Childish. It was not necessary at all. She is not your mother.’

‘No. But she is all I have. And she has been very good to me.’

‘Well, it was her duty.’

‘Then it is my duty to tell her about something like this. I may get into trouble.’

‘Don’t be silly,’ he said, ‘I normally take good care of my girl-friends.’

‘I see,’ she said and for the first time in the one month since she agreed to be this man’s lover, the tears which suddenly rose into her eyes were not forced.

‘And you promised you wouldn’t tell her.’ It was father’s voice now.

‘Don’t be angry. After all, people talk so much, as you said a little while ago. She was bound to hear it one day.’

‘My darling, you are too wise. What did she say?’

‘She was pained.’

‘Don’t worry. Find out something she wants very much but cannot get in this country because of the import restrictions.’

‘I know for sure she wants an electric motor for her sewing machine.’

‘Is that all?’

‘That’s what I know of.’

‘Mm. I am going to London next week on some delegation, so if you bring me the details on the make of the machine, I shall get her the motor.’

‘Thank you.’

‘What else is worrying my Black Beauty?’

‘Nothing.’

‘And by the way, let me know as soon as you want to leave your sister’s place. I have got you one of the government estate houses.’

‘Oh . . . oh,’ she said, pleased, contented for the first time since this typically ghastly day had begun, at half-past six in the morning.