‘I don’t know how the Red Cross manages to get hold of all this stuff,’ said Kitty, picking up a tin of cocoa powder from the great stack behind her. ‘I haven’t seen cocoa or bars of chocolate in the shops for months.’

‘The large food companies have been very generous to donate so much.’ Peggy glanced across at the grim-faced security guards who were patrolling the warehouse. ‘That’s why we have them watching our every move,’ she muttered. ‘As if we’d stoop so low as to steal from our poor boys.’

‘It has been known,’ Charlotte said. ‘A woman got arrested last week, her pockets bulging with chocolate and tins of butter.’ She gave a little sigh and eased her back. ‘But I can understand why she did it. The temptation is awful when there’s so little to be had in the way of luxuries these days – and frankly, I could kill for a bit of chocolate right now.’

Peggy’s mouth was also watering at the thought, but she firmly pushed the distant memory of chocolate away and dug in her string bag for the flask and the paper bag she’d filled with the last of the broken biscuits from her tin at home. ‘You’re just tired and in need of some sugar. Here, help yourself to some of those, and then have some tea from the flask. I added a bit more milk than usual as I thought it would be good for you both.’

Charlotte smiled. ‘You think of everything, Peggy. What would we do without you?’

Peggy giggled. ‘I’m sure you’d manage.’

‘Actually, I don’t think we would,’ said Kitty affectionately.

‘Bless you, darlings, it’s lovely of you to say so.’

The tender moment was broken by a cheerful voice. ‘Hello, Peg. I thought I’d find you here.’

She looked up to find Gracie Armitage smiling at her. They’d become friends when Peggy had started at Solly’s factory, even though Gracie was a good ten years younger than Peggy. Gracie was the senior cutter at the factory and struggling to raise her daughter on her own while her husband flew for the RAF. Her little girl, Chloe, was only months older than Daisy and they were now almost inseparable.

‘Hello, love. I didn’t realise you did a turn here.’

‘I couldn’t before, but it’s easier now they’ve arranged childcare.’ She glanced across at the children playing on the far side of the warehouse. Daisy and Chloe were huddled together by the doll’s house and no doubt plotting mischief as usual.

‘Peace, blessed peace,’ Gracie sighed, taking the chair next to Peggy. ‘She’s been a holy terror all morning.’