‘Got a minute?’ Kath said.

‘Can it wait? I’m meeting the boys for a drink before the match.’

‘Not really.’ Having steeled herself, she wasn’t going to back down now. The longer she waited, the more danger there was that Nancy would start spreading her malice. ‘I just want to ask you something.’

‘Ask away.’ His voice was muffled by coats.

‘No, come in the kitchen.’

He sighed. ‘It’s not that Billy Bishop business again?’

‘No, nothing like that. I’ve been over him for months.’

He sat down, leaning his chair back. ‘Okay. Spit it out, kid.’

She’d rehearsed it in her head so many times, but now they were face to face the words refused to come. ‘It’s just something Nancy said . . .’ She faltered.

‘That little minx. Ray says she keeps writing to him, but he’s not interested. Too hot to handle, he says.’ Mark laughed. ‘So what’s she been saying, then?’

‘She says . . . she says . . .’

‘Yes? I’m waiting.’

‘That he’s a . . .’ She swallowed, trying to force her lips into the word. ‘A homo.’

He righted the chair with a thud and leaned forwards towards her, his face just a foot from hers.

‘She said what?’

‘Don’t make me say it again.’

‘Well, whatever she said, it’s a load of effing nonsense.’ He stood up suddenly and began to pace the small space between the table and the door. ‘For heaven’s sake. Ray? I suppose she’s trying to get back at him for ignoring her, the b—’ He turned towards her, cheeks streaked angry red. His fists were clenched and for a brief moment she feared he might be about to hit her. ‘When did she say this, Kath?’

‘A few days ago.’

‘Has she told anyone else?’

‘Not as far as I know.’

He began pacing again.

‘So why’s she telling these lies? And why involve you? I suppose it’s because he’s a friend of mine?’

‘That’s the thing, Mark.’

‘What thing?’

She lost courage now. Nancy’s claims seemed even more improbable than before. She began to imagine that she might have simply dreamed them. ‘Oh, never mind.’

‘Tell me, Kath. What other poison has your so-called friend been spreading?’

‘She said she saw you with him.’ She found herself whispering now. ‘On the beach. By the pier. Holding hands.’

Mark walked slowly back to the table and sat down, his face a peculiar shade of grey. ‘Listen, kid. It’s a pack of lies. A pack of dangerous lies. You know that, don’t you?’ His voice was low and menacing.

She nodded.

‘I have no idea what her game is, or why she’s doing this. Do you?’

‘Only as you said, to get back at Ray.’

‘Does she know how damaging an allegation like that, however ridiculous, can be for someone in his position? And there’s my application to the RAF just going in . . .’ He swore under his breath and sank his face into his hands.