‘A regular family business, that place,’ said Laura, more cheerful now. ‘Isn’t another of your brothers there too, some super-sleuth type?’

Kitty, as ever, looked around before answering. She hated talking about what Danny actually did, even when there was nobody else about. Walls had ears.

‘That kind of thing,’ she said warily.

‘We should introduce him to Marjorie one day,’ mused Laura. ‘She might have outgrown her preference for Canadian pilots and be ready to settle down with a nice British boffin type.’

Kitty had to laugh. ‘He’s the least boffin-like boffin you could ever meet. Anyway, she wouldn’t like him. His hair’s too dark. She always likes them fair-haired.’

‘So she does.’ Laura nodded sagely. ‘I wonder where she is now.’

‘Don’t suppose we’ll find out for a very long time,’ said Kitty. ‘I wasn’t expecting to get any letters from her and I haven’t. I don’t think that should worry us too much, though.’

‘No, I suppose not. No news is good news when it comes to Marjorie. She’ll be doing a good job, whatever it is,’ Laura said fervently. ‘Oh, blast, look at the time. My train is due in fifteen minutes – not that I think it’ll be on time, but I’d better be getting back to the station. Can’t have Pa hanging around waiting for me, wondering where I’ve got to.’

They reached the platform and Kitty impulsively leant forward and hugged her friend. ‘I’m so glad we managed to meet up like this, Laura. You must let me know what happens. If I have any bright ideas, I’ll let you know too.’

Laura hugged her back. ‘Thank you so much for coming out of your way like this. I feel miles better. Don’t suppose you have any access to a phone? You being a telephone operator and all that?’

‘No, you’d better not start calling Derby House, you’ll start an international incident,’ Kitty warned her. ‘I wish we could take social calls, but it’s out of the question. Rita was talking about getting a telephone for the shop but, what with Ellen arriving, nothing has happened.’

Laura picked up her bag. ‘Well, see to it that you tell me if that changes. Meanwhile, don’t go killing your annoying friend of the family. I’m sure he’s far too valuable for the war effort.’

‘I’ll try,’ said Kitty wryly as her friend stepped towards the approaching train for the north. She waved as Laura turned at the door and did the same. Trust Laura to pick up on the underlying reason she was so annoyed with him. She’d just have to work harder at resisting the effect he always seemed to have on her.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN