‘I promised Hugh I’d be back by the end of the week.’ She shot Ron a wry smile. ‘He’s very understanding when it really matters, and I suspect he’s as relieved as I am that Danuta’s home and on the mend.’

‘I’m sure he is,’ said Ron, weaving through the wheelchairs on his way to the double doors that led into the building. ‘But there is the rather vital matter of finding out who betrayed her – which I suspect is the main purpose of his largesse.’

Dolly stopped in the doorway, her expression solemn. ‘That’s always been the priority, Ron, but the debriefing can only begin when she’s clear of mind and well enough to answer all the questions we have.’

‘Is the suspect one of yours, do you think?’

Dolly’s expression was giving nothing away as she regarded him silently and then headed for Danuta’s room.

Ron let her go on ahead, promising to catch up in a few minutes. He had a question of his own to ask – one that had been bothering him ever since his first visit to see Danuta. Now it was time to ask the only person who might give him a straight answer.

Before leaving for work, Peggy had made sure Cordelia was dressed and back downstairs, and that Rita was coping with the knowledge that her father, Jack, was more than likely embroiled in the landings. The girl was clearly making a stoic effort to put on a brave face, and was planning to spend the morning at the fire station.

Peggy headed for the factory, her loyalties torn between her duty to Solly and the needs of Rita and those who relied on her for comfort and mothering in this new and rather frightening turn in the war. The planes were still going back and forth in endless succession, but the thunder and roar of their engines was like a heartbeat, drumming away, each throb bringing this war nearer to an end.

She held Daisy’s hand as they walked along the pavement, waving and smiling to friends and acquaintances along the way, not daring to stop and chat as it was getting very close to the start of her shift.

Having deposited a happy Daisy at the nursery, she exchanged a few words with Nanny Pringle, who was positively beaming as she told Peggy there would be jelly and ice cream for the children at lunchtime thanks to Solly’s wife Rachel.