She was cycling home along the coast road, singing softly beneath her breath, when she heard a familiar chugging noise behind her. Smiling to herself, Kate braked and jumped off her bicycle, wheeling it on to the grass verge. There was only one person around here who owned a motor car; Squire Marshall. And with his erratic driving on the narrow lane, it was much safer to dismount.

But it was not Squire Marshall at the wheel of a brand-new Austin Twelve; it was Danny. He drew to a halt beside Kate and leaned out through the window, grinning, as she gaped open-mouthed at him.

‘Whatever are you doing driving that?’

‘You not the only one who’s been promoted.’ His grin widened.

For the past two weeks Kate had been working as supervisor in the workroom. She even had three girls working under her and, with the added responsibility for their work being properly done as well as her own increased workload, there had been a substantial increase in her pay.

Kate laid her bicycle down in the long grass on the verge and went across the lane to stand beside the vehicle. ‘What d’ya mean?’

‘Mester Marshall’s made me his chauffeur. I’m to look after his car and drive him and his missus wherever they want to go.’

Kate shook her head wonderingly. ‘Won’t you be working on the land any more?’

‘Oh yes, but I’ve always liked motors. He’s talking about getting a tractor and a new reaper and ’ee ses he’ll put me in charge of all the machinery. It’s the sort of job I’ve alius wanted.’

‘Oh, Danny – that’s wonderful.’ She touched his arm as he leaned through the open window. Then she grinned archly at him. ‘Will it mean more money?’

He gaped at her for a moment and then, as he realized she was mocking his own question to her a few weeks back, he poked his head further out of the window and kissed her on the tip of her nose. “Spect so. If we go on like this we’ll be able to afford to get wed soon.’

Kate threw back her head, her laughter bouncing on the breeze. ‘I dun’t reckon a bit of promotion and a few shillings a week more is going to mek us millionaires!’

‘Dun’t reckon I’d want to be. Mind you, I wouldn’t mind a car like this of me own one day.’ He ran his hands lovingly round the steering-wheel. ‘Would ya like to come for a ride?’

‘Did we ought to?’ she asked doubtfully.

‘Squire wouldn’t mind.’

Moments later they were driving towards the town, but when they reached the first houses, Danny turned the motor round and headed back along the coast road. ‘Best not be seen.’

‘Oh, do let me have a go, Danny. Let me drive it.’