‘If I go out again, I would keep vital information close to my chest until such time as it is needed. It can be done. If you get an order to derail a certain train, gather your team and tell them to be at a certain place at a certain time – but not the assignment place. Tell them what to bring, and that’s it. Do all the planning for the mission yourself. Then instruct them only when you are all together, ready to go. Then none of them can send messages to anyone – it’s something they should have taught us on the curriculum. Wills and I are working on various things that should be included, and there is to be a new set-up for the training very soon. A shorter version, as a lot of what they teach isn’t needed. Anyway, no more talk of business.’

David seemed sad as he said this, and Sibbie gathered that whatever had happened to him and Wills still lived with him. She could imagine what the fear felt like: to have your mission known to the enemy and have them lying in wait for you. She so wanted to know how they escaped, but knew from his expression that he no longer wanted to talk about it.

What he’d said so far had brought home to her just how dangerous it was working amongst the enemy, trying to sabotage their work and maintaining your cover and secrecy. But she felt ready.

Marjie broke into her thoughts. ‘Sibbie, I am going for a walk with Wills. I’ll see you back at the hotel.’

Sibbie stood and hugged Marjie. In her ear she whispered, ‘Stay out as long as you want – don’t worry about me. We have so little time.’

Marjie pulled back and looked deeply into Sibbie’s eyes. ‘Oh, Sibbie, I’m on cloud nine, and I’m not going to let anything spoil that.’

‘I’m glad.’

They hugged again and Marjie was gone. Sibbie hoped, with all her heart, that this was the start of something wonderful for Marjie, and that the war didn’t change that.

‘They certainly both seem to have found their soulmate. I’ve never known Wills to be like this with a girl before. He has girls forced upon him by over-eager mothers looking for a good match all the time, but he hates the whole business. Such things come with being the son of a lord, but Wills avoids debutantes like the plague. What’s Marjie like?’

‘A lord! Well, I can’t say I am surprised. I think it shows. I knew, from first talking to him, that Wills was different in some way – just a sort of air that he has about him. Anyway, you have no need to worry, as Marjie is a beautiful person.’