“I hope so,” I said. “But Darcy’s away at the moment and like you I’m feeling rather lonely. It’s only just beginning to sink in that I’m now mistress of my own house and I have to make a life for myself in the country. But it’s hard to know where to start. Darcy suggested I give luncheons or tea parties but the thought terrifies me. You know what some of those county set dowagers are like.”

He chuckled then, the chuckle turning to a cough. “Actually I’ve no idea. Never met one. But take it one step at a time, my love. You’ll find your way soon enough. And your own sort of people too. Why don’t you invite that friend of yours to stay? Belinda, isn’t it? You two were always very thick.”

“I would only she’s been in Paris for a while now. And Mummy’s back in Germany with Max.”

That made him give a little grunt. Having lost a son in the Great War he did not approve of Germans. “I think she’s making a big mistake there,” he said. “That Sir Hubert of yours, smashing chap, if you ask me. And clearly still keen on her. What did she want to go rushing back to that bloomin’ Hun again for?”

“I think she likes the money for one thing. Max is awfully rich.”

“But at what price, love, eh? Those Germans, they are slipping back to their old ways. All those rallies and that little Hitler bloke shouting and prancing around. I don’t like it one bit. I just hope your mum don’t find herself on the wrong side if another war happens.”

“Oh surely not, Granddad,” I said. “Nobody could possibly want war after the last one. Everyone saw what a frightful waste of human life it was.”

“Don’t count on it, ducks. That Hitler bloke, he’s got big ideas. You mark my words. Trouble’s coming.”

“Golly. I hope you’re wrong,” I said.

Chapter 2

MONDAY, OCTOBER 14

IN LONDON AND THEN BACK TO EYNSLEIGH

I felt weighed down by a cloud of doom as I took the train back to Eynsleigh. No Zou Zou, no Belinda, no Queen Mary and no granddad. It really did look as if I’d have to start meeting those neighbors and getting involved in village life. And what Granddad had said about Hitler and Germany weighed on my mind. If there was another war Darcy would be called up to fight. I closed my eyes, not able to bear the thought.