‘Yes, I was,’ said Kitty, a little offended that this was how her colleague saw it. ‘I don’t suppose there’ll be much time to live it up, though. These meetings go on and on, you know that as well as I do. They won’t bring people from all over the place just to give them a chance to hit the West End.’

‘I’d make sure I managed it if I were you,’ said the Wren, and Kitty realised she was jealous.

‘I might try to see someone I did my initial training with who’s still posted down there,’ Kitty admitted. It felt like a long time since she’d last seen Laura.

The other woman raised her eyebrows. ‘See, I knew you wouldn’t be on duty every minute,’ she said. ‘And, by the way, don’t go thinking there’s something special about you and that’s why you were chosen. I happen to know that Lieutenant Feeny specifically asked for your superior officer to go, but he was overruled and you’re the second choice. So don’t go giving yourself airs.’

Kitty was too shocked to answer and Moira walked away, head held high, without a glance back. Had the woman hated her all along? As if she’d give herself airs about anything. But now Kitty felt sick to her stomach, knowing she hadn’t been top of Frank’s list. He would probably resent being stuck with her when he’d wanted someone more experienced with a higher rank. She was just a poor substitute. He hadn’t fixed this so they could be together – the very reverse. Somehow she’d have to get through the ordeal without revealing what she now knew. Well, she’d have to give it her all, to demonstrate she was no pushover. If Commander Stephens wanted a responsible Wren to represent the Western Approaches Command, then she would do her utmost to live up to what he’d asked of her – with or without Frank’s approval.

‘You never think I’m old enough to cope!’ Tommy complained. ‘I will be all right on my own. You don’t have to worry about me.’

Kitty shook her head. It was one thing to leave Tommy for a few hours in the evening when he got back at his regular time and she was on lates. Even then Kitty knew very well that he often went across to Dolly and Pop’s, or sometimes even to the shop. He very rarely spent many hours on his own. It would be another matter altogether to have him sleep alone in the house. He wasn’t yet fifteen.