The woman was intimidating. White hair, beautifully set, with every curl in immaculate place, and she wore make-up, though it was skilfully applied and did not look out of place on the wrinkled skin. Her dress was plain but well cut and her nails were long and pointed and painted a delicate pink.

‘I don’t think there’s anyone in this house . . .’

‘Please.’ Ella started forward, eagerness making her forget her rehearsed speech. ‘Philip Trent. He used to live here. Do you know where he went? Where he is now?’

For a brief moment, the woman looked startled. ‘What do you want him for?’

‘I – do you know him?’

‘I might,’ the woman said guardedly.

Ella swallowed, the excitement rising in her. Deliberately she tried to keep calm. ‘I’m looking for him because – because—’ She licked her lips and decided to try to stick to her original story. The woman already looked wary. If she blurted out the truth she had the feeling the door would be slammed in her face.

Ella drew in a deep, steadying breath. ‘I understand Mr Trent was a group captain in the RAF in the war. I’m – I’m . . .’ The lie did not come easily. ‘I’m a student and I’m doing some research for – for a project, and I just wondered if he might be able to help me.’

The woman frowned. ‘Who gave you his address?’

‘He did.’ The words slipped out before she could stop them. ‘I mean, he – he gave it to my – my aunt.’

‘He knows your family?’ The woman’s expression lightened.

‘Oh, yes.’ She almost laughed. This, at least, was true. She could not resist the irony of the moment and added, ‘Very well.’

‘Oh, well, in that case . . .’ She seemed to be mellowing a little but still did not offer to invite Ella inside. ‘I’m afraid he’s not in at the moment, but I’ll tell him you’ve called. What name did you say? Perhaps you could come back again another time?’

Evading giving her name, Ella said swiftly, ‘Yes, of course, I’ll call back. This evening, perhaps?’

Now the woman smiled and nodded. ‘Yes, about seven thirty, after we’ve eaten.’

‘Thank you. Thank you very much.’ Ella turned and began to walk away quickly before the woman could insist on knowing her name. ‘I’ll see you later.’

As she came to the gate a large green Rover swept in and though the car did not touch her, its sudden appearance startled her so that she stepped backwards, treading heavily half on, half off the edge of the driveway. Her heel sank into the soft earth of a flower border. She lost her balance and felt herself falling backwards. She gave a little scream as her hand caught on a rose-bush and a thorn gouged a deep scratch on the back of her hand.