‘I realise it would be a disappointment to leave this beautiful countryside,’ Knowles went on, ‘and of course to be in such a city would mean being back in danger of a potential attack from the enemy. While it can never be ruled out anywhere, urban or rural, it is my duty to warn you that this place has been the target of much bombing in the past.’

Kitty’s chin went up. ‘I understand,’ she said, ‘but I have had experience of this already and I know I could continue to work under such conditions. I would be ready to do my duty wherever I am needed.’

Knowles nodded. ‘Again, exactly what I thought you’d say. That’s precisely the attitude we require. So, you would have no problem returning to the northwest?’

‘The northwest?’ Kitty’s jaw dropped.

‘Why, yes. This position is in Liverpool. I understand that is where you come from?’

Kitty struggled to respond and swallowed hard to conceal her surprise. ‘Well, yes. I mean, of course, yes, I grew up on Merseyside. In Bootle, right by the docks.’ She glanced down at her hands, which were tightly gripping each other, the knuckles white. ‘It has been very heavily bombed. But many of my family and close friends are still there, or nearby.’ She paused.

Knowles looked at her directly. ‘Kitty, it is my job to know as much as possible about my senior staff and I have to ask you this now. I am aware that you were in a relationship – am I right in thinking it was a fairly serious relationship? – with a young doctor based there, and that he was killed in one of the bombings. Would that be an impediment to you returning to the area?’

Kitty gasped. So Knowles had been investigating her background. That came as a shock, and also a clue as to the level of sensitivity of the position. She wasn’t sure whether to feel flattered or offended. Realistically, she knew it must be necessary – someone of Knowles’s level wouldn’t waste time on it if it weren’t. So how would she feel, going back to where she had first met Elliott? She took a moment to consider.

‘No, ma’am,’ she said after a brief pause. ‘To tell you the truth, although that is how I came to know him, we spent most of our time together in London. I don’t believe it would affect my work. I have been back several times over the past few years, for my brother’s wedding and things like that, and it gets a little easier every time. Thank you for asking.’