“Something you said once, years ago,” she said, looking away.“That it was easier for me to prove myself, because I’m just a girl.”
“I see what you mean about kickable,” Crispin reflected.
“Well.”Penny scrutinised him.“Is it to be a truce then, or a lasting peace, at 14 Brunswick Square?”
“I was unaware there was a war?”Crispin said innocently.
“Ha!”Penny shouted.“That’s the first lie you’ve told all evening!”
Crispin laughed ruefully.“Well, let’s not get ahead of ourselves.”He stretched out his hand to shake.“Let’s make it anEntente Cordiale,like Britain has with France and Russia.Nothing on paper, terms to be reviewed at a future date?”
“Perfect,” said Penny, with a smile that unnerved him just a little.
Later, Penny foundPunchslipped under her door.It was open to a political cartoon that showed a gaggle of people dressed in haphazard fancy-dress from the Dark Ages, packed into motorcars, tilting at one another drunkenly.The man next to the chauffeur held a spear and a shield with a Saint George’s Cross on it, and wore a silly pencil moustache.The motor cars belched fumes over a distressed pastoral scene, where villagers clutched their children and pets to their bosoms.
ATHELNEY AMUSEMENTS, the caption read, and beneath it:“England for the English!We’ll make England green and pleasant once more!”
Penny was waiting in her father’s study when he came home from the theatre.She got his slippers and poured him a drink.
“Penny,” he said mildly.“What is this about?”
“I haven’t burgled you, don’t worry, you needn’t keep checking your things.I’ve learned my lesson.I just want to know what you found out about Mr Eames.”
Stephen looked at her sharply.“Where did you—“
“I was with a friend, at a restaurant, and Eames happened to be there.It was the most extraordinary coincidence.That’s his real name, isn’t it?”
Stephen nodded and took a sip of his drink.
“Who is he?”
“A war veteran.An unemployed bank clerk.”
“And a member of the Brotherhood of Saint George.”
Stephen cocked his head.“Now, that I didn’t know.”
“But you do know of them?”
Stephen paused.“Yes.I do.”
“Is it because a lot of veterans are mixed up with them?”
“I’m not sure I can say much more.”
“Then theyaredangerous,“ said Penny, gloating.
“Anyone can be dangerous, Penny,” warned Stephen.“But if someone is keeping an eye on them, it will be the Home Office.Not my department.”
Penny looked thoughtful.“The Home Office?Well, I’m sure they’ve got it well in hand.Nothing more for me to do!I’ll just go see if Mother wants help with her hair.”
She made for the door.
“Penny,” her father said.
“Yes, Father?”
“Did we—have we not given you enough scope?For your abilities?We haven’t quashed you?”
