‘It’s okay,’ he said softly. ‘No harm done, as it happens. Your two friends got safely back into camp and – er, Mavis, is it . . .?’

She nodded and he continued. ‘Well, Mavis came early this morning and collected your uniform to get it cleaned up. She’s just brought it back so you can get up when you like, use my bathroom and then, when you’re ready, you can go out through the front office as if you’ve just been to get your orders for the day. And hopefully . . .’ He raised one hand and crossed his fingers, ‘No one will be any the wiser for your little escapade.’

She closed her eyes and groaned, imagining what a fool she must have made of herself the previous night. And Philip was being so good about it, even conspiring to sneak her back into camp. She wondered just how many other COs would have done that. No wonder he had said he threw away the rule-book when he felt like it.

‘I don’t think,’ he said slowly, ‘you’d better drive today.’

Kate smiled ruefully and put her hand up to her head. ‘No, I don’t think I better had,’ she murmured ungrammatically.

As he got up and turned away, she said, ‘You’ve been very kind. I – don’t know how to thank you . . .’

He turned and stood looking down at her. Although his expression was grave, there was a gentle look in his eyes.

‘If you remember, Kate Hilton, there have been two occasions when J didn’t know how to thank you. I haven’t forgotten, you know.’ Then, as if to save them both any further embarrassment, he turned and left the room.

After washing her hair and taking a bath, Kate felt much better, though a little fragile. Dressed in her clean uniform, she waited nervously in Philip’s bedroom.

The door opened. ‘All clear!’ he said in a stage whisper and she went through into his office. ‘Parkes has nipped out for lunch so the outer office is empty at the moment. Right now,’ he sat down in his chair and steepled his fingers, ‘I have to go to East Markham. If you could just drive us out the gate and then in at the other end, I’ll drive in between.’

Kate bit her lip and nodded.

‘Bring the car round in about an hour. Try to get a bit of lunch . . .’ He began, but noticing her turn paler, added, ‘If you can face it.’

She smiled thinly and nodded again.

*

‘Oh, so you are still in the land of the living,’ Isobel greeted her as Kate stepped into their hut.

Mavis was hurrying towards her. ‘Are you all right? Did he put you on a charge?’