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This morning’s visit to Rowntree’s had delivered only happiness into her life and he was the one who’d made that visit possible and so easy. He was decisive, encouraging, positive. She realised Matthew was frowning at her being so lost in her thoughts but she couldn’t say anything to reassure him because the black ostrich feather had arrived and was dancing dangerously close to her nose.

‘Afternoon, darlings. Thank you for this lovely invitation.’

‘I’m so glad you said yes,’ Matthew charmed, holding out a seat for Lady Frobisher, who was leaning over to kiss her daughter.

Alex smiled. ‘Hope you aren’t offended that we started without you but we were both chilled.’

Minerva waved their explanation away as the waitress arrived. ‘Do you have any Congou, dear?’

Alex resisted rolling her eyes at her mother’s pretentious ways. The girl blinked, unsure. ‘English Breakfast, I think you’d call it,’ Alex suggested.

‘We do, yes, my lady.’

‘An extra hot pot of that for me and a separate top-up of water. I like my tea weak.’

‘Very good.’ The waitress looked to Alex. ‘Can I get you a top-up?’

‘Please, we’re having —’

‘Darjeeling,’ the girl jumped in and smiled.

‘Excellent memory,’ Alex remarked.

‘I practise a lot,’ she admitted. ‘I can now remember everyone’s orders on this side of the tearoom.’

‘That’s so impressive, er . . .’ Matthew said, squinting to read her badge, ‘Ellen.’

‘Thank you, sir. May I bring some more dainties?’

‘Definitely,’ he said, flashing her a smile.

Alex laughed as the waitress departed.

‘Tell me what is amusing you,’ Matthew queried.

‘Is any woman safe?’

‘Are you jealous?’

‘Oh, I do hope so,’ Minerva chimed in and then flicked a guilty glance at her daughter.

But Alex was in a buoyant mood and instead of being offended she sighed out of amused astonishment. ‘Mother, really!’

A trayload of silver arrived with Ellen, together with a china teacup and saucer. Another waitress followed, bearing two tiered stands of dainty cakes and sandwiches.

‘I brought two, sir, in case you’re hungry,’ Ellen admitted.

Alex loathed being predictable but she felt a sudden propriety towards Matthew and her glance at Ellen, though friendly, had a certain warding quality that she was intensely aware of. So was Ellen, who blushed and melted away quickly to other tables.

‘So you two look happy and as though you’ve had a good day?’ Minerva asked, peeling off her gloves.

‘It was splendid, Lady Frobisher. Your beautiful daughter has gamely volunteered at the hospital where she was instantly accepted, as we all knew she would be, and will now be a nurse’s aide, assisting with changing bandages and doling out medication.’

The claim about medication was stretching the truth but Alex didn’t leap to correct him. Instead she tried to counter it. ‘I’m sure I’ll be making beds too.’

‘Oh, darling, no. Really?’

‘It’s all part of it, Mother. War isn’t at all convenient. But it will make me feel like I’m contributing, so please don’t rally any of your influential friends to get me into some comfy role,’ she said, reaching to cover her mother’s hand with her own. ‘I want to be useful.’