‘Oh, of course you have to go,’ said Sarah, at once sad that he wouldn’t be with them for the clock striking midnight, relieved that he wouldn’t be spending it with an unknown group of friends, and proud that he’d answered the call of duty without a quibble.

‘I’d rather spend it with you folks,’ Danny said, but it was impossible to read his face in the near-darkness. Did his voice carry an extra layer of meaning, or was it wishful thinking on her part? She couldn’t tell.

‘Come on, our Danny, it’s perishing out here.’ Tommy was all but jumping up and down on the spot.

‘All right, you go on in then,’ said Danny. ‘Er … how are the twins? I’ve scarcely had a chance to ask.’

‘They’re doing well. Violet’s managing to feed them and we got a special delivery of goodies from Joan and Seth, so she’s able to eat as much as she likes herself. She’s going to call the little girl Barbara.’

‘Oh, that’s a new one,’ said Danny. ‘Is that after anyone in her family? You haven’t got any Barbaras, have you?’

Sarah shivered in the cold air but tried not to let it show. ‘No, we haven’t, and Violet hasn’t either. She said she wanted something different, sort of a new beginning. But the middle name is to be Rita. Isn’t that lovely?’

Danny chuckled. ‘Well, that’s only right. She and Rita have been thick as thieves. Barbara Rita. Has a nice ring to it.’

Again, from the dim outline of his face, she thought he was gazing at her in a new way, but she couldn’t be sure, and wouldn’t put herself out on a limb by asking. She found herself tongue-tied. Part of her said this was ridiculous – here was the person she’d been able to tell anything, with whom she’d been totally relaxed for as long as she could remember. But suddenly the words just wouldn’t flow. ‘I’d … I’d best get in, they’ll be wondering where I am,’ she said. ‘Will I see you tomorrow?’

He shook his head. ‘Afraid not. I’m due back at Bletchley so I’ll have to start out first thing. One of the others whose parents live over in the Wirral is giving me a lift.’

‘Oh.’ Sarah didn’t know what to say. What was foremost in her mind felt too big, too important, to be rushed in a few seconds on a freezing cold street.

‘So, anyway, Happy New Year,’ said Danny, stepping towards her a little.

‘Yes. Yes, and to you too.’ She looked up at him and for a moment thought he was going to come even closer. But he reached out, touched her arm briefly and turned away.