‘Things had been going our way for a while, but out in the countryside it was often hard to tell,’ he said. ‘Getting exact news was very hit and miss. But yes, finally the Allies got near and I knew it was safe to try to get home. My memory was returning and I could recall my name, where I was from, and what I’d been doing before that final mission. I even remembered I had a sister and that she could be a frightful pain.’

Laura punched him on the arm. ‘You deserved that,’ she admonished him. ‘So you sent me that note, then? How did you know where I’d be?’

Freddy lifted his pint of beer and took a long drink. He nodded. ‘This is something I’ve been looking forward to for a long time, I don’t mind telling you,’ he said. ‘Nothing beats a pint of proper beer. You should taste what they have in France. The wine is lovely but the beer, oh dear.’

Laura looked at him. ‘I’m sure you’re right. But go on, how did you know how to get that note to me? Why all the cloak-and-dagger business?’

Freddy glanced down as he set the pint back on the rickety table and his expression grew sheepish. ‘Actually, there’s a rum story behind it. One hell of a coincidence, you could say.’

Laura’s face was quizzical. ‘What was that? Freddy, out with it. I nearly went crazy when I got that note.’

Freddy’s face fell. ‘Oh, I’m terribly sorry. I thought you’d work it out. I didn’t do it to make you cross, it’s just that I had to be vague in order not to put anyone in the line of contact in jeopardy.’

‘All right, I see that. And I hoped it was you, I just didn’t know how it could have been. So what’s the coincidence?’

A faraway look came into his eyes. ‘It’s the most peculiar thing. I met someone who knew you.’

‘Knew me? In deepest France? How on earth …?’

‘She was one of us, she was brought in for a special mission,’ he explained. ‘It had to be her, she was one of only a few who could have done it as she spoke both German and French so well she could pretend to be either. She was pretty good, actually. Very impressive.’

Laura gasped. ‘That’s … no, it can’t be. Marjorie? You met Marjorie?’

Freddy nodded. ‘I know. How unlikely is that?’

‘Of all the Resistance cells in all the world,’ drawled Laura, but stopped when she realised Freddy didn’t have a clue what she meant. ‘Sorry. That is incredible, I can’t quite take it in. So you got to know her?’

That look came back into Freddy’s eyes again. ‘Yes, you could say that. Erm, quite well, actually.’