This shocked Sibbie and was another valuable lesson that she learned. Of course they had to forget everyday life and remain focused on their one objective. Right now, that was to fully equip themselves with all the skills they would need. ‘I won’t – sorry, Marjie. I didn’t mean to add to your worries. I won’t speak of it again. You’ve made me see that trying to help our family in any way, or even contact them, would be a mistake. But I am here for you. In our private moments with me, you can give in to your feelings. It helps me, too, as I am worried for Aunt Flors and for all of them.’

Marjie’s hand came into hers, and Sibbie felt reassured that the moment had passed and that they had an understanding that would stand them in good stead. Yes, they would have times in the future when they simply wanted to give in and seek help, but she now realized they must never do that, but instead must carry on and find a way out of all they had to face.

Two week later, this lesson really hit home.

They had been taught things they’d never dreamed they would have to learn: how to pick a lock, although it was more manipulating a lock back, using a protractor, than what she thought burglars did – pick a lock with a hairpin or something. And how to communicate in code: ways that made the code that Aunt Flors had devised seem like child’s play. And how to take an impression of a key: just a matter of carrying a matchbox full of plasticine.

Other skills had involved disguising themselves, and it wasn’t by wearing a wig, but by simple methods of changing what people noticed most about you – whether you wore glasses or not, how you wore your hair, and even how you walked. And adding a scar to your face, using special make-up. Such changes made an amazing difference to you being instantly recognized.

The easiest bit for them both was learning their cover story, as this entailed many things they already knew about France. The only gaps in their knowledge were recent changes – wartime measures, such as how sugar rationing worked in France, and information on curfews that were in place.

And now they were both to be tested.

They were to work together under the warning that, despite all they had achieved, fail in this and they wouldn’t be sent out ‘in the field’ – the expression used for an agent being given an assignment.