"Freddy was sniped," Margaret said, "before he even killed a German.
Washing up dirty cups makes me mind it less."
"You dear darling," Michael said. "I understand and Freddy knows."
"I'll tell the man where to drive to," Margaret said bravely. "Then we can be together until I have to begin work." She raised the speaking-tube to her lips and told the driver where to go, explaining the most direct way to the secluded square, When she dropped the tube and sank back into her seat Michael's arm was round her; she had felt his eyes and their passion, gazing at her while she instructed the driver.
"Will you marry me the day after to-morrow?" he said. "I'll get a special licence. Let's start this little time of perfect happiness at once, Meg—it may never come again."
Meg laughed nervously, but there was gladness in the sound of her voice. "But, Mike, it's so sudden—the day after to-morrow!"
"So was our love, darling—don't you remember?" He paused. "Am I asking too much? You might be my wife for less than two weeks, beloved, remember that."
They looked into each other's eyes. Meg knew the meaning of his words; he was a Tommy on leave.
"I can't go on having hairbreadth escapes to the end of the war," he said. "Up to now I'm the mascot amongst the boys; I've had prodigious luck."
Meg remained silent. Her heart was beating. His hair-breadth escapes—what were they due to? She saw her vision of him in her London bedroom, surrounded by the rays of Aton. She nursed the knowledge of it in her heart—she dared not tell him.
"Over and over again, Meg, the most extraordinary things have happened.
I can't tell you them all now—they would sound like exaggerations, but
I'm almost beginning to agree with the boys that I've a charmed life."