They stood up and waited politely for her to join them.

  ‘I’ll tidy the kitchen and then join you. I’ll take care of the evening meal as the girls aren’t here to do it.’

  They didn’t argue and wandered off, leaving her alone with the lunch dishes. She was stacking the soup bowls on the rack on the draining board when Emily turned up.

  ‘Sorry, I should be doing this. Saturday is my day.’

  ‘It’s done now. Do you need a hand with tea later? I’m part of the family; I must pull my weight.’

  Emily explained what they were having and Lucinda grinned. ‘I love bubble and squeak. Shall I do that, and you do the gravy and bangers? I can smell fish. Will that keep until tea tomorrow?’

  ‘It will keep in the pantry, it’s freezing in there. Daddy cooks them for us and we have fresh bread and butter with them – scrumptious.’

  Elizabeth was occupied playing with the baby. Jonathan was happy to fill Lucinda in on the events of the morning.

  ‘At my boarding school if we broke the rules we got caned on the hand or slapped but not beaten like George was. Usually, punishments for serious offences were loss of freedom, removal of privileges. Lesser misdemeanours resulted in us writing lines and having to stand in a corner for hours.’

  ‘I think I’d have preferred a couple of smacks on the legs to any of those,’ Elizabeth said.

  ‘To return to George’s misbehaviour, how is he being punished?’

  ‘Confined to the house until after Christmas, in bed before eight o’clock and not being allowed to join in family games,’ Jonathan told her.

  Lucinda deftly diverted the conversation, talking about poor George’s disgrace was upsetting for all of them.

  ‘If you don’t mind, I’d like to tell you what I did after selling my coat.’

  They listened and to her relief didn’t seem shocked that she’d replied to Ralph’s letter.

  ‘It was brave of you to see him, my dear. How was it? Do you still feel the same way about him?’ Elizabeth asked.

  ‘Not quite the same, but I do still find him dangerously attractive and am glad he rushed off as if he hadn’t, I might have agreed to see him again before he’s divorced.’

  ‘How long do you think a divorce would take, darling?’ Elizabeth looked at Jonathan.

  ‘How should I know? I’m pretty sure that it costs a small fortune and I imagine could take months rather than weeks. The lawyers young enough have been conscripted, or volunteered, leaving only the older men to deal with everything.’

  ‘I intend to put him out of my mind, for now at least. I’m going to concentrate on being the best ARP warden I can until the New Year. By the way, I posted my letter of application to Pauline Gower at Hatfield airbase when I was in Town. I’m hoping I’ll be one of the first to apply. However, I suspect lots of eager young women will have responded after the article asking for recruits was in the paper.’

  ‘I hope you hear soon, although not before Christmas,’ Elizabeth said.

  ‘I might not hear anything as she might well recognise my name and not want someone like me in the ATA. I’m hoping that the four hundred solo flying hours in my logbook might do the trick.’

  ‘Let’s hope so. I imagine that how any of the young women perform in the test flight will decide if they’re good enough,’ Jonathan said.

  The conversation was interrupted by the harsh clang of the telephone. It rang twice, indicating the call was for them. If it was once, then it was for the doctor as they shared a party line.

  ‘Shall I answer that?’

  ‘Please do, Lucinda, I’m far too comfortable in this armchair,’ Jonathan replied.

  ‘Harbour House, to whom do you wish to speak?’

  ‘Darling, thank God, I was going to put the phone down if it had been anyone else.’

  She almost did exactly that. ‘Ralph, how did you get this number? I’m sure I didn’t tell you where I’m living.’

  ‘I’m in intelligence, so I used mine. I want to see you and I won’t stomp off like a child next time.’

  Everything she said could be overheard in the sitting room and possibly upstairs as well. Why had she blurted out his name? Now she couldn’t pretend it was a school friend or something else less embarrassing.

  ‘I thought I told you I don’t want to see you until you’re single.’

  His warm laughter sent a well-remembered thrill down her spine. ‘I know you did, but it’s about achieving my divorce that we need to talk.’

  Jonathan was now standing at the door. He raised an eyebrow. She shook her head and smiled her thanks. He retreated and closed the door behind him.

  ‘This is all very awkward, Ralph. Now my family know I’m talking to you.’

  ‘Good, I’d like to meet them.’

  Her horrified squeak at his suggestion made him laugh again. She loved his laugh; it made her tingle all over. Despite her reservations, despite being well aware of the dangers involved, his charm was working its dangerous magic.

  ‘Seriously, darling, we do need to talk. I thought you’d prefer it to be away from London, somewhere you feel safe.’

  His deep dark voice reminded her of smoky night clubs and passionate nights. Ten minutes ago she’d been determined not to see him but found herself saying the opposite.

  ‘All right, hang on a minute, I’ll speak to my family. If they agree, then you can come.’

  She put the telephone receiver down and walked away but didn’t go into the sitting room. This was her decision – if she didn’t want to see him then she’d say that Jonathan had vetoed the visit. If she did, then she’d say he’d given his permission.

  She rejoined her family a few minutes later, still unsure if she was going to regret what she’d just told him.

  9

  Ralph was smiling as he replaced the receiver. He’d achieved his objective. Lucinda had agreed that he could come to this godforsaken village in Essex and they’d arranged for him to visit next weekend which suited him perfectly. It was imperative that the meeting went well, that he made a good impression on her provincial relatives. For without her consent to have her name listed as the co-respondent on the divorce petition he couldn’t file it. He hoped to convince her that as her reputation was already in tatters, she’d nothing left to lose and everything to gain as he’d then be free to marry her.

  He couldn’t legally name her without consent but was certain he’d be able to persuade her. Leone, his wife, would never divorce him willingly, although she had the grounds. She wanted him to be as miserable as she was, to ruin his life as well as Lucinda’s. Unless he got Lucinda’s signed permission, he’d be unable to wrench his freedom from the woman he’d never loved but who he’d married for her fortune.

  He was virtually penniless, only had the money from his work as an intelligence officer to live on, and he wasn’t going to live in penury. The few hundred pounds annuity he received was scarcely enough to pay his bar bill. It didn’t suit him to be scratching around, having to watch his expenditure, like an ordinary person. He owned his tiny flat near Horse Guards, but it was too small and he wanted somewhere more his style.

  Lucinda’s Knightsbridge place would suit him perfectly. Her massive trust fund would be released when she married, therefore he had to get this bloody divorce arranged and then marry her as soon as the decree absolute arrived.

  He nodded. She’d have no option if she agreed to him dragging her through the courts, as then she’d be a social pariah, her only recourse to recover even a smidgen of her reputation would be to marry him. His family could trace their lineage back to the Tudors; he might not be wealthy, but he was definitely top drawer.

  His smile faded as he sauntered downstairs – Ralph Castleton didn’t run for anyone, even the important people he worked for. This affair hadn’t been the first of his dalliances, Leone had locked him out of the bedroom after the second baby, and a gentleman had his needs, after all.

  Lucinda initially had just been a silly girl, easily seduced into his bed. He hadn’t intended to fall in love with her and that was why things had gone so wrong. This time his eagle-eyed wife had sensed the difference, had known he was in love. As soon as she discovered Lucinda’s name, she’d sent the information to all the gossip columnists, not even told him what she was going to do. She’d also informed Lucinda’s elderly and very stuffy parents. It had taken him all his charm to smooth things over with the War Office as having an affair was perfectly acceptable, having it public knowledge was not.

  His brother held the title and the purse strings, but the Castleton name would be more than enough to restore Lucinda’s tarnished reputation. The fact that he had no nephews meant he’d inherit the title if his brother died. He’d got two daughters, as had his brother, which was why he intended to have several children with his next wife. Surely a boy would arrive eventually and cement his claim to the title?

  He hadn’t been lying when he’d told her that he was hopelessly in love with her, that was true. This time he wouldn’t be marrying for solely mercenary reasons. He would make her happy, wouldn’t be unfaithful. She was young, stunningly beautiful and was easily manipulated. Her huge trust fund would be his to use as he wanted, she would be content to be his beloved wife and remain at home taking care of all the children they would have.

  ‘Hey, Castleton, you’re wanted downstairs,’ Humfrey, another spook, yelled at him across the office.

  ‘On my way, no doubt yet another crisis only I can resolve.’

  Emily, like the other members of the family, pretended that everything was tickety-boo at home. It certainly wasn’t as George’s behaviour and his subsequent well-deserved punishment had cast a black cloud over Harbour House.

  Daddy had accompanied the boys to school on Monday but she didn’t know what he’d said or the outcome of his visit. Certainly, George wasn’t any happier and neither was Sammy. She was relieved that tomorrow she’d be spending the day with her friends over the river as she really didn’t want to be in the house when everyone was so miserable.

  Sammy sidled up to her as she was getting ready to leave to catch the ferry.

  ‘Can I come with you? I won’t be a nuisance, promise, I just don’t want to be here at the moment. I think I preferred George when he was angry and bossing me about, I hate how subdued he is. I hope that our parents let him off his punishment before Christmas or it’s going to be horrible for all of us.’

  The only good thing to come out of the shocking events of last weekend was the fact that Sammy was now talking freely like all the other Robys.

  ‘I’m happy to take you, I’m sure Penny will be delighted if you agree to play hide-and-seek and so on with her brothers. I’ll ask Mummy – I think Daddy would definitely have said no but fortunately he’s at work.’

  She returned smiling. ‘Yes, you can come. You’ve got two minutes to get your boots and coat on. I warn you it’s going to be beastly on the ferry and you might well end up with an icy wet backside.’

  ‘I don’t care, as long as I’m not spending the day here you can throw a bucket of water over me and I’d be happy.’

  Doris usually met her on her own as Penny didn’t like to bring her little brothers down in the bad weather. Today not only was Doris there, but also Penny, her brothers and little Jimmy from the big house. What on earth was he doing here?

  There was a lad waiting on the hard to help everybody disembark from the ferry but she and Sammy were out without assistance. Jimmy was hiding behind Penny, peeping nervously around her, obviously expecting to be shouted at for coming.

  ‘Hello everyone, hello, Jimmy. What a nice surprise to see you.’ It was certainly a surprise, but Emily wasn’t quite sure if it was nice or not.

  ‘My mum’s buggered orf with some bloke she met. We ain’t seen her for days and I’m on me own now.’

  ‘Goodness, that’s really bad news. At least you’ve got the other mums and their children to play with. They’ll look after you, won’t they?’ Emily said.

  The little boy was wearing clothes that didn’t fit him, his shoes were too big as well and tied onto his feet with string. She wasn’t sure how old he was but thought he couldn’t be much more than four, he was much smaller than the five-year-old twins.

  Sammy turned his back on Jimmy. ‘Right, hop on, I’ll give you a piggyback.’

  Jimmy hesitated. ‘I’ll lift you, then you’ll know what to do next time,’ Emily said.

  She was shocked at how light he was, this hadn’t been obvious because of his overlarge clothes.

  The twins ran on ahead; Sammy followed at a jog and Jimmy was screeching with laughter.

  ‘Penny, did he come across to you or did you go and fetch him?’

  ‘He was shivering outside the door when we left and I could hardly leave him behind. I’m not sure what my mum will say if she hears that I’ve taken him in. He’s bound to have fleas and possibly nits as well.’

  Doris was scowling. ‘I think it’s rotten that a little scrap like him has no one to take care of him. Why aren’t the other mums doing a better job?’

  ‘I suppose we should take him to the police station,’ Penny said, ‘I’m sure that my mum said that’s who deal with neglected children in the first place.’

  ‘What about the NSPCC? The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children,’ Emily suggested.

  ‘I reckon we should go and speak to them mums before we do anything. We don’t want to get the welfare involved as they might take all the kiddies into an orphanage.’

  ‘I’d better hurry after the boys, explain to my mum what’s going on, and ask her to let Jimmy spend the day with us whilst you two go round to the big house and speak to someone there.’

  Doris nodded. ‘Then it’ll be quicker if we go up the other lane. Come on, Emily, it’s taters, Nan’s still saying it’s going to snow – maybe she’ll be right this time.’

  Emily knocked loudly on the front door, half-expecting it to remain unanswered. She was wrong as a youngish woman with metal hair curlers in her stringy, dyed blonde hair heaved open the door. She didn’t look particularly pleased to see them.

  Emily thought it was as cold inside the house as it was outside. What a miserable existence everyone in the house was having. It was all very well sending East End families down here to get them away from the bombs, but she rather thought that they might prefer to take a chance and be somewhere warmer and more familiar.

  ‘Excuse me, ma’am, I am Miss Emily Roby, and we need to talk to you about Jimmy.’ She realised that she didn’t actually know his second name and this was essential if they were going to take the matter further. ‘I’m sorry, I don’t know your name or Jimmy’s family name. Would you be so kind as to supply it?’

  ‘None of your business what me name is. And he ain’t nothing to do with me, nor with Thelma. His bleedin’ ma buggered off a couple of weeks ago and left the little sod behind.’

  ‘It doesn’t matter if his mother abandoned him, he’s living under your roof so he’s under your protection. He’s obviously not being fed or clothed. I’ve just called in to inform you that Jimmy’s with us and we’re going to take him to the police station when we go home this afternoon. I’m quite sure that the welfare office will be making an investigation.’

  The woman’s face twisted and her eyes narrowed. ‘Don’t want no nosy parkers round here. You bring him back, don’t take him to the coppers, I’ll give him a good wash and find him something decent to wear. I reckon his ma will come back when the bloke she went off with kicks her out.’

  ‘Thank you. However, I come to Rowhedge every other weekend and I’ll be checking up on him. If his condition hasn’t improved then you know what will happen.’

  Emily nodded and marched down the steps, knowing she’d made the wretched woman think twice about what was going on.

  ‘Cor, you told her and no mistake. The poor little perisher will be better staying here as long as she sticks to her word. No kiddie wants to be in one of them orphanages if there’s an alternative,’ Doris said.

  ‘I’m not sure we did the right thing. I’d have thought even being in an orphanage would be better than where he is now – at least he’d be fed and clothed and educated even if he isn’t given the love he deserves.’

  ‘It ain’t our concern really, Emily, you’ve got enough on your plate with your George being in trouble and all that. We don’t know how old little Jimmy is, he might be older than he looks because he’s so thin.’

  ‘He certainly talks well so I think you might be right. His language leaves a lot to be desired, but living where he does that’s hardly surprising. I’m hoping that Penny’s been able to find some of her brothers’ outgrown clothes that will fit him.’

  ‘Poor little mite, it ain’t fair that someone so little is having such a hard time.’

  One of the twins was waiting by the door, ready to let them in; she wasn’t sure whether it was Thomas or Toby. The sound of Jimmy screeching echoed down the stairs.

  ‘Penny’s giving Jimmy a bath – I don’t think he likes it very much.’

  ‘I don’t suppose he’s ever had one. He’ll feel a lot better when he’s clean,’ Emily said.

  ‘He smells nasty, his mum doesn’t look after him properly.’

  ‘No, she doesn’t, so it’s not his fault.’

  The little boy looked up at her and grinned. ‘I’m Toby, Thomas is helping with the bath. I stayed down here to let you in.’

  ‘Ta ever so, Toby, much appreciated,’ Doris said as she hastily closed the door to keep out the icy wind.

  ‘Penny said that you’ve got to put the kettle on and make some tea. We don’t drink tea so we have hot milk with honey in it.’

  Doris found some stale bread in the pantry and whilst she and Toby were doing the toasting Emily found some marge and jam to go with it. When Penny returned with Jimmy and Thomas, the kitchen was filled with the appetising smell of hot toast.