Kitty knew that Laura had tried to keep her friendship with Captain Cavendish under wraps, as such relationships, while not exactly frowned on, and not uncommon, were not actively encouraged within the service. Once it had come to light, there had been a fair bit of jealousy of Laura and some very hurtful comments had been aimed her way. It being Laura, they had just bounced straight off her, but even so, Kitty was aware her friend never put herself forward for promotion or any kind of privilege, concerned that the immediate assumption would be that her boyfriend or his illustrious uncle had used their influence. Laura loved her job as it was, and she was very good at it, but Kitty wondered how long that would last, especially if Peter was called back to active service as seemed likely.

‘As long as you’re happy,’ Kitty said loyally.

‘I am,’ Laura assured her. ‘He’s the best thing that ever happened to me, I don’t mind telling you, and even better he says the same about me. I just adore him, however foolhardily brave he might be. Wouldn’t have him any other way.’

Kitty nodded, pleased for her friend. ‘And no news about—’

‘No, none,’ Laura said hurriedly. She didn’t have to check what Kitty meant; there was one person they both knew was never far from Laura’s mind. Her cheerful attitude masked a deep-seated sorrow for her lost brother, a pilot missing in action since before they had started their training. No confirmation had ever come about what his fate had been, and so there was no way of knowing if he was alive or, more likely, dead. So Laura kept going, trying to remain positive, but with a little bit of hope dying away every day.

‘No, nothing. Of course I’d tell you if there were. And who knows what might happen if we invade France? I might at least find out, one way or the other. But for now it’s limbo as usual. Come on,’ she tugged on Kitty’s arm, ‘I’m perishing. I’ve put on my most glamorous new coat for you, I hope you recognise, and it turns out to let the breeze right through it, so if I don’t have a hot drink soon I might well expire, and you wouldn’t want that on your conscience, would you?’

‘Definitely not, Peter would kill me,’ said Kitty, allowing Laura to lead her towards Piccadilly and the promise of tea and crumpets.