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‘Reminiscing over your time as a guide? Was this fellow your last?’ her father asked, genially winking at Harry.

She was tempted to say No, he’s the first I’ve ever loved, but instead she smiled. ‘Odd to think I won’t be touring people any more.’

Her mother squeezed her hand. ‘Darling, my guess is you were actually lost in love a moment ago and thinking of beloved Matthew. He should be here. Charles, speak with Matthew, will you, dear? He’s spending far too much time away from Alex. I’m sorry, Harry. I hope it doesn’t sound rude but I agreed to this evening simply to save tongues wagging.’

Lost in love was right, Alex privately admitted, but Minerva had the wrong man in mind. ‘Mother, stop!’

‘Well, darling, if I notice his absences, then others surely will and people need something to gossip about.’

‘I’m in my own home!’

‘Nevertheless, it could be considered unseemly. Captain Blake is very handsome, if you don’t mind my mentioning it.’

‘I do,’ Alex countered. ‘It’s embarrassing.’ She flicked a glance at Harry. He stood uncomfortably by the fireplace alongside her father, who was staring into his half-finished coffee.

‘Dad, do you agree with this Victorian twaddle?’

‘It’s not twaddle, darling,’ Minerva answered for him. ‘It’s reality. All it needs is a whiff to be smelled by the gossipmongers and suddenly an innocent supper is turned —’

‘What? Into a night of debauchery, under Norma’s watchful gaze?’

‘Darling, you’re being rather touchy,’ Minerva said, throwing a sympathetic smile towards Harry as if to drag him into this debate.

‘Your mother’s right. It was perhaps a little insensitive of me to accept your kind invitation, although in my defence I did imagine your husband may be home and that I’d get to meet him.’

‘Don’t apologise. I refuse to be controlled about whom I might invite into my home. Really, Mother, and do you think I’d also invite you both to join us if I really had intended some sort of salacious evening?’

Harry looked to be stifling a sympathetic grin and that only irritated her more.

‘You mishear me, Alex. I don’t for one moment think you and Captain Blake are anything but new acquaintances. I know you and Matthew are mad for each other. I’m referring to what other judgemental minds like to entertain themselves with.’

‘Well, you and Dad are here so those tongues can remain still in their suspicious mouths.’

‘Indeed,’ her father said, finishing the conversation and turning to give an exaggerated glance out of the window. ‘Now, Minerva, I think we should get ourselves home before it snows – it’s threatening out there. Young Blake?’

‘Yes, sir?’

‘Can we take you back to your accommodations? I’ve brought the motor car so it’s no imposition.’

‘Thank you. That’s very kind.’

‘Oh, it’s no trouble at all, Captain Blake,’ Minerva said, avoiding the glare of her daughter. ‘Let’s get you back into your cosy guesthouse safely and let Alex get her beauty sleep. Last day tomorrow, darling – I know it’s special for you.’

‘It is. Harry, what were you saying about finding a woman factory worker? Can I —?’

He waved a hand. ‘Please, don’t think on it again.’

‘I want to help.’

‘Another time, perhaps?’ he said, a soft caution in his tone.

And suddenly they were all moving towards the door, Norma arriving with hats and coats.

16

Harry worked hard to keep the atmosphere far from awkward on the slow ride home.

‘Marvellous motor car, sir,’ he enthused. ‘Thank you for this lift.’