‘Sorry, I should know better. Anyway, let’s make a pact – no talk of war whatsoever. You’re only here overnight and I want to enjoy every moment of that time with you. Did you hear of what happened at Portpatrick? Daisy, Rosie and Florrie were quite the heroines. And Aunt Betsy has had a profound change of heart, thank goodness. It was getting difficult trying to lift her spirits when I can only talk to her over the telephone.’

‘No. Is everyone all right?’

Listening to Mags relay the tale of the loss of the lifeboat, and how Daisy, Rosie and Florrie had treated the injured men, brought home to Sibbie how much the war was hitting everyone, whether they were actively involved or just going about their daily business, but in particular those whose jobs put them in danger – fishermen and lifeboat crew especially so.

‘Oh, Aunt Mags, thank God they are all safe. I can’t wait to see Mum and all of them.’

It was much later when Sibbie and Marjie retired, after a lovely evening catching up on how busy Aunt Mags was, as the mill was thriving. And although they had said no war talk, that was one of the good things that could happen at times like they were experiencing – an abundance of employment for local folk, as the mill had won the contract to supply all manner of clothing for the forces, as well as parachute material. Uncle Jerome was experiencing a busy time, too, as farms had to produce double quantities of everything and had more livestock than they’d had previously.

As they got into bed that night, Marjie expressed something that had struck Sibbie, too. ‘How uncomplicated life is here, Sibbie. Business as usual, with added bonuses. I wish our lives were so. I’m anxious about what lies in store for us. The not knowing is awful.’

‘I know. I keep wishing, and hoping, that we are to be sent on a secret mission abroad somewhere, and yet it terrifies me, as I don’t know whether I am up to it or not.’

‘It sounds like we will know if we are, before they send us, as they are going to test our ability and suitability.’

‘What on earth will that entail? I hope it isn’t fitness, as I’ve never been a physical animal. I always preferred a book to the rough-and-tumble of the boys in our family.’

‘If it is what you hope for, then it is bound to be along those lines, Sibbie. Any work abroad isn’t going to be done behind a desk. Perhaps we can start to do exercises this fortnight? Go for long walks, do those push-up things where you lie on the floor and push yourself up on your arms – that sort of thing.’