The Mothers of Quality Street. Penny Thorpe

line, and what do you need to do? If it’s observing and taking notes, you could always wait until this afternoon?’

      ‘No, I’m meant to be teaching this week’s new starters. I’ve got a dummy line set up and Women’s Employment are bringing me twenty giggly fourteen-year-olds to learn how to deliver cellophane rolls to a wrapper.’

      Reenie felt even more sorry for her young man. He was such an amiable, well-spoken, responsible gentleman; turning up to work with a hangover was as unlike him as she could imagine. ‘You’re in luck because I happen to know that it’s Diana Moore what’s bringing over the minnows to be trained, and my morning is all report writing from notes I’ve already done, so why don’t you take my reports and I’ll take your class and square it with Diana? She won’t be fussed who teaches the young ones, so long as they’re taught right. In fact, I think she prefers it when I teach them because she knows they don’t listen to you.’

      ‘Don’t they listen to me?’

      ‘No, they’re too busy making eyes at you.’

      Peter’s colour rose again with embarrassment. ‘You don’t think Major Fergusson knows, do you? I wouldn’t want anyone to think I encouraged it!’

      ‘Everyone knows you don’t encourage it, and Major Fergusson thinks it’s very funny. I shouldn’t worry; as long as Major Fergusson is head of department we’ll both be reyt. I should think he’s got a couple of years until retirement.’ But there Reenie was wrong.