Tommy stuck his hands in his pockets and tried to whistle, but his mouth was dry. The wind had got up, bringing the familiar smell of the river into the streets around the docks. Autumn was here, and he wondered where he’d left his scarf. Kitty wouldn’t be happy with him if he needed a new one.

He’d finished work and would normally have cycled back on the bike Frank had managed to get him, but its tyres needed pumping up and he hadn’t been able find the pump this morning, so he had caught the bus instead. He hoped he hadn’t lost the pump for good – that would be another thing Kitty would be cross about. It was the whole business of having to get up so early and in to work on time – he still wasn’t used to it, and as the mornings began to get darker it was harder still. He’d managed not to be late so far, as he couldn’t have borne the shame of it, but it was touch and go. It didn’t leave any spare time to find anything he’d mislaid.

He hadn’t really noticed the change of temperature and the note of chill in the air as he cycled about the city on his rounds. He was too busy, and needed to move as fast as possible between jobs, so he was plenty warm enough. He was gradually getting used to the notion that he was a harbinger of bad news, and as the Allies continued their successes in France, the stream of casualties kept rising. Now that he was strolling along he began to shiver.

A car drew up.

‘All right, Tommy?’

Tommy looked up. It was Alfie Delaney. He wondered if he could get away without answering, but there weren’t many people around and he couldn’t exactly pretend he hadn’t seen him. ‘Hello, Alfie,’ he said cautiously.

‘How’s the new job going?’ Alfie asked, leaning across the front seat and talking through the wound-down passenger window. ‘Got the hang of it yet?’

‘I think so,’ said Tommy, brightening. ‘There’s lots to do and I have to get it right every time, so I’m very busy.’

‘I bet you are,’ said Alfie approvingly. ‘Tell you what, I’d love to hear more about it. Why don’t you get in? We could go somewhere and you can tell me what you get up to. How about that?’

Tommy hesitated. He wasn’t at all sure spending time with Alfie would be a good idea. On the other hand, Kitty wouldn’t be back yet and he’d be kicking his heels around the house on his own, now that Danny had gone on his course down south. Alfie’s car would be warmer than the street as well. ‘All right,’ he said and climbed in.