‘I don’t want to embarrass you,’ she said, ‘but now that I know a bit more about what you and your colleagues were getting up to at Bawdsey, I just want to say that I think you have achieved the most extraordinary thing ever. If anything can protect us, your inventions will.’

‘That’s sweet of you, Kath. Although it’s Watson-Watt who should get the credit.’

‘But it’s personal for me. My brother’s been flying for nearly four years now, and although he rarely talks about it, he says what he calls the “magic eye” has saved him more than once. And that is thanks to you and your team, Vic.’

He tried to speak, but she held up her hand. ‘No, let me finish. What I wanted to say is . . .’ The words came out in a rush. ‘I am so proud of you.’ She looked into his eyes, disconcerted to see them welling with tears, and reached out to take his hand. ‘I really mean it. I don’t think any of us would still be here without you.’

‘It wasn’t only me.’

‘But what you achieved, you and your team . . .’

He went quiet, and she feared she’d said too much.

‘Vic?’

‘Oh, sorry. I was in a dream.’

‘A good one?’

‘Good and bad. I was remembering my friend Johnnie. The one who died in the flying boat accident. You met me on the Cliff Walk that terrible day.’

‘I remember. You were in quite a state.’

Vic sighed. ‘We’d worked so well together, and I almost gave up after that. Couldn’t see the point. But at the funeral I talked to his son, a lovely young lad, who said his father had told him we were doing our best to make the world safe for the next generation, and that I must to carry on, even without him.’

‘What wise words. I’m so very glad you did.’

He squeezed her fingers and they walked on in silence, hand in hand.

Vic had booked lunch in the hotel dining room, and a table in the window. Dear Vic – nothing left to chance. The room, comfortably old-fashioned with faded furnishings and carpets that had seen better days, reminded them both of Bawdsey Manor.

They ate well – surprisingly well, considering the restrictions on supplies: omelette and chips for him, roast chicken for her. They even ordered glasses of wine. Vic seemed to know which colour went best with which food, and ordered a different, sweeter version to go with their dessert of apple crumble with custard. It was fun being with someone so confident around such sophisticated matters. She began to relax and enjoy herself properly. She’d almost forgotten: this was what normal life was like.

Kath was entirely unprepared for the astonishing size of the Cathedral. From the outside it was impressive enough, but the interior, with its vast columns reaching upwards supporting a ceiling criss-crossed with what Vic called vaulting, took her breath away.