‘What part of India are you from, young man?’

‘I was born in Kerala, sir. My father was a tea planter.’

‘Know it well, know it well,’ Churchill said. ‘I spent several years in India in my younger days, you know. Spent a few months on the North West Frontier, although most of my time was in Bombay and Bangalore. Bloody love that country, and especially your people; though I fear for their future, should the Gandhis of this world get their way. D’you play polo, by any chance?’ His mind seemed to move so quickly that it was a struggle to keep up.

‘I’m afraid I haven’t been back since I was ten years old, sir,’ Vic replied, deciding not to mention his fear of riding horses. Like elephants, they were just too high above the ground.

‘Never mind, never mind. You have other talents. I’m told you’re one of the brightest fellows here.’

‘Oh, I don’t think so, there are lots of . . .’

‘The work you are all doing here is splendid, splendid. Warms my heart. Feels as though I’ve been shouting into a void all these years, warning about German aggression, but at last I’m among people who’re doing something about it. With the help of your radio waves, I’m confident that we’ll have a fighting chance of beating the bastards.’

‘Thank you, sir.’

‘Keep up the good work. You’ve made me a happier man today.’

The audience was over. Churchill moved on.

‘What was he saying to you?’ Kath asked later, as they sat on the beach below the Cliff Walk.

‘He asked if I played polo.’

‘I don’t even know what that is.’

‘It’s a kind of hockey, played on horseback.’

She laughed. ‘Sounds crazy. And do you play?’

‘What do you think?’

‘I think chess is probably more your kind of game.’

‘You think right.’

‘D’you mind if I paddle? Standing in the kitchen all day makes my feet ache.’ He watched her wading into the water in her bare feet regardless of the pebbles, marvelling at her boldness and confidence.

‘Come on in. It’s lovely,’ she called.

‘I bet it’s cold.’

‘On a day like this? You’re just a sissy.’

‘How did you guess?’ All the same, he found himself taking off his shoes and wading in beside her. She held out her hand, and he took it. The pebbles hurt his feet and the water was shockingly cold, but somehow he didn’t seem to notice. A larger than usual wave caught them by surprise, soaking her skirt and his trouser legs, but they both just laughed. He’d never felt more alive.

‘My feet are going blue,’ he said, after a while. He held out a foot to show her, and nearly fell. She held out an arm to steady him, and they found themselves in a near-embrace. ‘This is nice,’ he whispered, although afterwards he couldn’t remember whether he’d actually said it out loud. All too soon she pulled away, leading him out of the water.