‘Alfie Delaney!’ Tommy announced. ‘I almost didn’t know it was him. He’s gone bald and his head is burnt so it’s like a red snooker ball.’

Sarah drew in a sharp breath. ‘Is it now? That’s a turn-up for the books. No, not his head, the fact that he’s back after all those years away.’

‘Oh, has he been away?’ asked Tommy. ‘He didn’t say. Sounded as if he was back here all right, though. He said he could get me a bike. Mate’s rates an’ all.’

‘Did he?’ Sarah shook her head. ‘You know what, Tommy, if he’s still got the same mates as before he left, I might be inclined to wonder where he’d get a bike from.’

Tommy’s face fell.

‘But don’t mind me,’ she said hurriedly, not wanting to spoil his triumph. ‘You go on in and tell Danny about the new job. I expect he’ll get you a bike, won’t he?’

‘Oh, yes, he said he would,’ said Tommy, brightening again. ‘Right, see you then, Sarah.’

‘Bye, Tommy.’ Sarah watched as he ran to his own front door and burst through. She was delighted and relieved to hear he’d passed his interview, as she knew how worried Danny had been about his young brother. He was a hothead – but so was Danny, even if he’d mellowed over the years, especially with the heavy responsibility of his work. Perhaps the same would be true for Tommy. She hoped so. Still, she couldn’t shake the chill that had come over her at the mention of Alfie Delaney’s name. She wondered if Danny knew he was back; he hadn’t said anything. Then again, perhaps he wouldn’t have told her even if he’d seen the odious man recently. Sarah was aware that Alfie had some kind of hold over Danny but she didn’t know what it was. She only knew that his return could mean nothing good – and might well portend something very bad indeed.

‘That seems to be all. Thank you, gentlemen – I do beg your pardon, ladies and gentlemen.’ The senior officer rose, and everyone crowded around the table in the meeting room rose as he headed out of the door. The others filed out behind him, but Frank put out a hand to detain Kitty. The only other Wren, Moira Butcher, turned to catch her eye, but Kitty shook her head. ‘I’ll catch up with you in a moment,’ she said, slightly annoyed as she was very busy, and yet conscious that the slightest touch of Frank’s hand had burnt through her uniform jacket like fire. That annoyed her too – she still couldn’t prevent it happening, couldn’t break that circuit.

‘I won’t keep you long,’ he said, his warm eyes gazing into hers.