‘I do not,’ said Kitty hotly. She downed half the water in one go, then stood with her back resting against the wall. Its cool stone helped to calm her. ‘Danny, really. No one else has to sit on those training committee meetings. If they did, then they’d soon see what he’s like when it comes down to it. I don’t know why I said I’d do it.’

Danny smothered a grin. ‘You did it because you were asked to, as one of the best-qualified Wrens, and the whole point of you being back here is to help with training, and you’re the best woman for the job. So you’ll just have to get on with it, Frank or no Frank.’

Kitty sighed. It was too hot to be cross, and it wasn’t fair to take it out on Danny, who’d had his own tough day at work. Besides, they were all on edge. Last night there had been a broadcast by the king telling them all that the Allied troops now faced their toughest test, and everyone was keen to have news of what was happening. She glanced at her watch and saw it was nearly nine o’clock.

‘Better switch on the wireless, Danny,’ she said, steadier now. ‘The news will be on in five minutes.’ She shook her head, trying to get thoughts of Frank Feeny from her mind. It had been a shock to realise she was expected to sit on the same committee as him, closeted in a small room in the underground complex of Derby House. He’d sat there, immaculate in his uniform, seeming to know exactly what he was talking about, fully in command of his brief, and had made her feel like a total newcomer with no idea about anything. All her years of work and hard-earned expertise seemed to desert her. She’d have to be more careful in future – she hadn’t been posted all the way back up here to fall at the first fence. She had to get a grip and maintain her professional attitude, not let it be waylaid by Frank’s cool and commanding presence. She had to do better next time – the more junior Wrens depended on it and she couldn’t let them down.

Danny turned to the old wooden Pye wireless set and switched it on, but all that came out of it was a hiss of static. ‘Damn, I must have knocked it earlier on and lost the station,’ he said, turning the dial.

‘Let me, I’m better at it than you,’ Kitty offered, and then it was Danny’s turn to grow annoyed.

‘Don’t be daft, our Kitty. How do you think I managed all those years when you were hardly ever here?’

Kitty groaned. ‘Well, never mind, just hurry up, the headlines will be on in a couple of minutes now.’