She couldn’t tell him about Tommy now. What would he do if he read about this evening in a letter? He’d worry, but be unable to come up to sort things out, and that would be the worst of all worlds. It was better to say nothing. Kitty could make that decision, if it came to it. She could just imagine Danny’s fury, fuelled by deep concern for his young brother. She knew how responsible he felt for him, how anxious he’d been that this course would take him away just when he was needed at home.

Did Danny feel the same about her as she did for him? She didn’t know. She wouldn’t force the issue when he came back. She dreaded losing his friendship, and suspected that he still thought of her as another sister. Besides, he was so clever. Nobody had recognised this when he was growing up, least of all his teachers, but now look at him, doing this really hard hush-hush job and being sent off to learn even more complicated work. He might think she was too stupid for him. She had been no great shakes at school either, but she loved what she did and nursing came easily to her. That was enough for her; but would it be enough for Danny?

Sarah looked up at the moon. Time to go and see what her mother had in the way of a meal so she could make sure Tommy recovered from his ordeal. Her feelings for Danny would have to wait – but they showed no signs of going away.

CHAPTER TWENTY

Nancy had arrived back later than she’d planned, having stayed longer at the Parkers’ house than usual. Georgie was quiet, too cold to talk for once. Nancy had some thinking to do. Maggie Parker, as was, had always been kind and accommodating, but she’d pointed out they couldn’t go on minding Georgie as often any more. Nancy had agreed because she’d had no choice. She didn’t want them thinking she was taking advantage of their goodness, though in some ways she knew she was.

‘He’s spending almost as much time here as he is at his own house,’ Maggie had said forthrightly. ‘He’s a lovely little soul, don’t get me wrong, but it’s getting to the stage where I can’t go out when I need to because he’s here again. We’ll have to get him his own ration book soon.’

‘I’m sorry, I hadn’t realised,’ Nancy had murmured, deeply embarrassed. She knew she’d have to think again about how she would manage things.