Margaret was waiting for her.

‘Have you been to the Pooles’?’ she asked as Annie took off her coat. ‘We’ve had Den here.’

Annie turned to look at her, hanging her coat. ‘Oh – I saw him. What on earth was he doing here?’ She realized only now that she was tetchy with hunger after her long day.

Margaret explained and as the two of them went into the back, Annie thought, this is like home. Talk always of people in the village, of their troubles and cares. It gave her a warm feeling. It was more like when their mother was alive. Of course they had had such conversations with Father, but it was never quite the same.

‘That little one really needs to see a doctor,’ Annie said. ‘Little Ada. Mother Poole doesn’t seem to realize. She hasn’t the money, of course.’ She sank down at the table. ‘Should I get someone?’

Margaret joined her. ‘She’s only a scrap as it is. I think we should. We’ll have to pay.’

She was about to offer to make Annie some tea when there came a loud knocking on the door again. Margaret got up to answer it but stopped, hearing that Aunt Hatt had already opened it. They heard a familiar booming voice, then Aunt Hatt came in with a peculiar expression on her face.

‘Annie. You’d better come. I’m not quite sure what’s going on.’

‘Me?’ Annie got wearily to her feet, frowning. ‘Who is it?’ It had sounded like that German man, she thought.

For some reason Jack Sidwell was also standing in the hall, probably on his way home.

‘Hello,’ he attempted.

Annie brushed past, ignoring him.

When she reached the front step, she found Herr Schmale still outside, half hidden behind an enormous bouquet of flowers, his beaming face peering out between fronds of vegetation.

‘Ah! Miss Annie!’ he exclaimed, stepping in a little closer.

Annie’s bewilderment only increased. What on earth was going on here?

‘My dear . . .’ he began.

Her alarm accelerated swiftly to outrage when she saw Herr Schmale sink down on to one knee.

‘Ever since I saw you yesterday, my heart has been in an ecstasy of certainty! Never have I been so sure as ven I first vitnessed your beautiful face. You are voman of such perfection – such a voman as I never expected to see. I am but a humble man, though I have the means to keep you in good style. I have come tonight, before I have to return to Germany – to entreat you to become my vife.’

He leaned back, still balanced rather unsteadily on one knee, as if throwing himself upon her mercy.

Annie glared at him. Her hands went to her waist. ‘What?’

She heard a gasp behind her and knew Aunt Hatt and Margaret were witnessing this bewildering encounter.