The Secret Letter. Kerry Barrett

I said. ‘Nothing will come of it. Goodness, I’m so busy with the WSPU business, and the newspaper, and the children …’

      Not to mention the fact that he was a policeman and there was no way a constable could even entertain the idea of romance with a woman like me. No way at all. I shook my head vigorously.

      ‘No,’ I said. ‘I am committed to the cause.’

      ‘Some men are allies to the cause,’ Agnes pointed out. ‘My John, for one.’

      ‘Your John is a treasure. But he is far from the norm.’

      I wondered if it was possible that PC Fairbanks could be a secret supporter of women’s suffrage. Perhaps. He seemed to be such a nice chap. Surely he would be able to see the reason behind our arguments? Though that didn’t mean he could suddenly start spending time with suffragettes.

      ‘Anyway, whether he is an ally or not, I have no time for male attention.’

      ‘Really?’ Agnes said, disappointed.

      I was firm. ‘Really.’