Page 158 of The Gathering Storm

‘Yes, last week. He’s just been commissioned into a frigate, HMS Fortunate,’ Helen said. ‘You know he’s a sub-lieutenant now?’

‘He’ll be made up to full lieutenant automatically as soon as the war starts,’ Jack said. ‘Promotion’s always quicker in wartime. And what about you, Basil? When are you going to start taking this seriously?’

So they had arrived at him at last, despite his efforts. ‘I take everything seriously, Dad,’ he said. ‘I’m a reporter. We see all the worst aspects of humanity. It doesn’t exactly make for frivolity.’

‘And yet here you are being frivolous,’ Jack said.

‘Darling,’ Helen protested.

Jack was not diverted. ‘Where will you be when war is declared? You could have volunteered and been in uniform by now. Are you hoping to stay a journalist all through? You know that’s not a reserved occupation, don’t you?’

‘I have plans in place,’ Basil said.

‘What plans?’ Jack said suspiciously.

There was no help for it. ‘I have been approached by – certain people. High-up people. But I can’t tell you more than that. I’ve been told not to talk about it.’

His father was still bristling with doubt, and Basil couldn’t blame him, given his history. So he smiled at his mother, who came to his rescue.

‘Of course, if you can’t talk about it, we must respect that,’ she said. She was giving him a searching look, but he thought it was not a suspicious one – more that of a mother hoping that whatever he was going to do would not be too dangerous. Unfortunately, she was deflected onto his personal life. ‘How are things with you in general? Have you met any nice girls? When are you going to bring someone home for us to meet?’

‘You know me, Mum,’ he said. ‘You’re the only woman in the world for me.’

‘Flummery,’ Helen said. ‘I’m sure you—’

Time to divert attention again. ‘I think you really ought to call the baby Dixie,’ he said to Freddie, who had been following the conversation like someone at a tennis match. ‘It’s a delicious name – and unique. What do the boys think about their new sister?’

There was nothing Freddie liked talking about more than his children. The topic lasted until tea arrived, and the nanny brought in Douglas and Peter to entertain the company.

‘There’s another one!’ Basil said.

‘Another what?’ Richard asked.

‘Woman carrying a gas-mask.’

‘Oh, yes,’ said Richard.

They were walking in Green Park, looking for an empty bench, having bought sandwiches at the coffee stall by the gate. Richard had phoned to suggest they had lunch together, but when they met, Basil said it was too nice to be indoors.

‘Apparently, the wardens are telling people they should get into the habit of carrying them about all the time,’ Basil said. ‘I heard that some women are treating them as a fashion item. The Army and Navy are even selling a special gas-mask bag you can wear over your shoulder.’ It was Gloria who had told him that. She’d said it was a ridiculous idea, and the bags were hideous.

‘Here’s a bench,’ Richard said.

They sat and opened their sandwich bags, and at once, as if by magic, the path in front of them burst into a full bloom of pigeons.

It was another lovely day in what had been so far a lovely summer. The weather was clear and hot, with no oppressive mugginess. ‘This is nice,’ Basil said. ‘I’m glad you suggested it.’

Richard gave a rueful smile. ‘I don’t have much else to do. My business is in the doldrums, and my family is far away.’

‘Yes, I’m sorry about Cynthia. But I expect she feels safer over there.’

‘She writes cheerful letters,’ Richard said, ‘but with a hint of second thoughts, if I’m reading between the lines. It was a drastic solution.’

‘Are you still working with the Kindertransport scheme?’

‘We’re busier than ever. We’ve got to get as many out as possible while we still can. It gives me something useful to do, at any rate.’ He examined his sandwich, and took a bite. ‘You’re the one with the best access to the news. What’s going on over there?’

‘Oh, the German press is full of anti-Polish propaganda, trying to destabilise the Polish government and whip up German fighting madness. You know that Hitler revoked the non-aggression treaty they had with Poland?’