‘That’s fine. Me and Daisy always took the male lead with Florrie and Rosie, so I’m used to that. I wonder how they all are. It’s horrid not having any contact with everyone.’

‘I know, I long to hear from Mama, and Wills, but I’m lucky to have Papa here. Anyway, don’t let’s think about it tonight. Come on.’

They giggled as they shimmied across the room, but then the music changed and a slower number was playing. Sibbie took up the position of the man as they went into a waltz. They’d only done a few steps when Marjie complained, ‘Ouch, you stood on my toe.’

‘Oops, sorry, Marjie. I’m out of practice. Don’t think we’ll win any championships, do you?’

They both laughed and Marjie felt the pressure of her worries lift off her. They’d received a message the night before that there was to be another mission, and were told it would be in three days’ time and they would be contacted by the Maquis. The thought of this didn’t sit easy with her, but neither did the fact that today Madame Bachelet had told them she would be arranging the details of their travel.

Marjie still felt uneasy about Madame, but didn’t know why. It was feasible that her son had given her the message, but nothing formal concerning such an arrangement had been discussed with them. Putting it out of her mind for the moment, she concentrated on the dance, until Sibbie surprised her by saying that she thought they should sit down.

‘We’re being watched.’

‘What? Who by, Sibbie?’

Sibbie indicated two men slouched against the far wall. The feeling of unease that Marjie harboured deepened.

As they sat down on one of the many benches that stood against the walls, Sibbie whispered, ‘I’m not happy here, Marjie.’

‘No, I’m not, either. I hadn’t noticed them, but now that you say . . .’

‘Oh, I don’t know – maybe we’re paranoid and they just fancy us.’

‘I know what you mean, and it would be a relief at this moment if that was the case, but why aren’t they approaching us and asking us to dance?’

‘Let’s dance again, only this time towards the exit. If they are watching us, then they will do something.’

As they reached the door, they stopped dancing and stood for a moment, as if talking. Sibbie was facing the men. ‘They don’t seem bothered and are talking amongst themselves now.’

‘Could be a ploy, as they may have noticed that we spotted them. Shall we slip through the door and see if that alerts them into action?’