Temporary cook wanted at Bawdsey Research Station.

Transport provided.

Telephone Felixstowe 2032 or write c/o Bawdsey Manor.

‘Great heavens,’ she said. ‘At the Manor? That top secret place?’

He shrugged. ‘They’ll probably be okay payers.’

‘Wherever did you find it?’

‘What you don’t know won’t hurt you.’

‘Thank you so much. I’m sure she’ll give it a try.’

Ma returned from the interview bursting with enthusiasm. Kath had never seen her so elated. ‘You should see it. It’s all turrets and towers outside. Inside, well, it’s a bit run down now, but you can just imagine what it was like when the family owned it. Grandpa was right. It’s quite a place.’

‘Did you get the job?’

‘Oh, yes.’ She laughed. ‘I almost forgot to say. They asked me all kinds of questions about where I’d worked before and such like. Seemed interested that I’m used to catering for up to a hundred at a time, even though I did explain they’re only children and they said the culinary tastes of their lot were hardly more sophisticated than kids, anyway. It’s institutional cooking, lots of baking, pies and puddings and cakes, the sort of thing I’m really familiar with. They made me wait while they telephoned the school for a reference. The headmaster apparently told them I was very discreet and trustworthy, as well as being a reliable chef.’

‘Well done, Ma. When do you start?’

‘Two weeks’ time. As soon as term ends,’ she said. ‘Just think, I’ll have to take the ferry to work every day.’

‘Did they say how long they expected the job to last? Why’s it temporary?’ Pa asked.

‘All they said was, the nature of their work meant they can’t offer a full-time contract to anyone.’

‘The nature of their work, eh?’

Her mother shrugged. ‘Who cares, anyway? I’m just glad they took to me. And I think I’ll like it there. The head chef admitted he was struggling with all the new people arriving.’

‘Just who are these new people, then?’

‘I did try to ask but all I got was this.’ She tapped the side of her nose. ‘We don’t question, and they don’t tell, he said. It’s all very hush-hush, and you have to sign some kind of secrecy document before you start.’

Kath thought of the horrible grilling she’d received in the guardhouse, and sent up a silent prayer that they wouldn’t notice Ma had the same surname as their suspected spy.

Nancy’s remark caught Kath off guard. ‘Your brother’s still big buddies with that captain, is he?’

‘Yes, I suppose they have become good friends,’ she said. ‘Ray’s helping him apply for pilot training.’

‘Ray, is it? On first-name terms now, are we?’

‘C’mon, girls, chop-chop,’ the manager called.

It was only later, as they were clearing the tables after closing time, that Nancy approached her. ‘There’s something I need to tell you, Kath, only I can’t talk about it here. Can I meet you after work?’