Although most of the city was broken, Sibbie saw what Daisy had told her about – that the spirit of London was very much alive, and fun could be had behind blacked-out windows. The restaurant was one being run in a cellar. The owners had once owned a plush place on the edge of the West End, but had been bombed out. The way they’d turned this basement into the glamorous venue it had become was nothing short of a miracle, because getting hold of materials and labour was very difficult. Huge chandeliers reigned over plush gold-velvet furnishings and mahogany furniture. A thick ruby-red carpet covered all but a small dance floor. Music greeted them as a five-piece band sat on a raised area in front of the dance floor, playing popular songs. It was all wonderful, and Sibbie felt transported to another world.

The good food, fine wine, laughter and dancing were spoilt only by the absence of Paulo, although seeing Marjie so happy, dancing closely with Wills, made up a little for that.

David, too, was missing his fiancée. Sibbie got into a deep conversation with him and told him about Paulo, then listened as David related to her how his plans of marriage were on hold for the duration of the war. The whole evening was turning out to be a release from everything going on in the wide world outside.

They learned that David and Wills had been out in the field on missions and were ‘resting’ for a while. ‘We enjoy helping in the training of others now. But we both want to go back out. Whether that will happen depends on whether they can get us safely undercover again. Our cover was blown by a traitor, and we had a hair-raising escape. Beware of everyone when you are in the field, Sibbie. Even those you most trust can be your enemy.’

‘I’m sorry that happened to you. I suppose it isn’t easy to decipher who is genuine and who isn’t, at such times as we live in. But you have to trust some people, because you can’t work alone.’