‘That’s a good idea, and perhaps we can go to the swimming baths. I’m a good swimmer, and I always swam in the sea, even in winter. We could do that every day when we are in Scotland, though it’ll be cold; not like your sea in the South of France.’

‘Mmm, I might pass on that one. I don’t like the cold.’

‘You’re a softie, so we need to toughen you up. But oh, it will be good to see my mum and Aunt Betsy – and all of them – before we report for duty.’

‘We’re travelling the length and breadth, at this rate. London tomorrow to see your Daisy and Florrie off, then to Scotland and back down to London. Not that any of that worries me. It will be lovely to meet the girls, and your mum and Betsy, and all their families. I’m just sorry we weren’t able to catch Beth and Belinda before they went back to school.’

‘I know. I can’t believe this is Beth’s last term before she goes to college, I only hope this war is over before she gets to the end of her education as, knowing her, she will want to do something wildly dangerous to help fight it.’

‘Oh, I wish it would all just go away.’

‘What’s really bothering you, Marjie?’

‘Well, my family; they are constantly on my mind. I know I had that letter, but it was dated a couple of months ago. I was hoping against hope there would be another waiting for me here.’

Sibbie felt so much for Marjie and didn’t know how to make her feel better. There was nothing she could say that would console her. After all, their family and Aunt Ella’s were in grave danger, as the news coming out of Vichy France wasn’t good; many expatriates were fleeing their homes to avoid being detained by the regime.

Her own thoughts were with her Aunt Flors and Uncle Cyrus and her cousins, and with Aunt Ella’s family, especially – and even more so – her beloved Paulo. She hoped against hope that the work she and Marjie were being assessed for involved them going to France. That would help Marjie, too. She’d know first-hand what was happening there.

It was the one subject she’d wanted Aunt Mags and Uncle Jerome to approach, hoping they would have some reassurances for them. But once they had said no more talk of war, only the way domestic affairs were being affected was discussed.

Yawning, Sibbie changed the subject. ‘It was nice to see Cook looking so well. Bless her. I worried about her, when Aunt Mags wrote that she was poorly. But whatever was ailing her seems to have passed. It will be good to tell Aunt Betsy that.’