Chapter 3

“Something I read in the Clarion. About the government raising the conscription age to all able bodied men up to 51.”

“You’d make a terrible soldier,” she said. “I mean that kindly. Do you even know how to fire a gun? Or handle yourself in combat?”

He thought a moment. “I can learn. They’ll teach me.” Then, “Won’t they?”

“Sweetheart, in London you had a day job and a night one as warden. You were responsible for hundreds of lives.”

“I don’t really have a day job now.”

“No, but you have an important position right here in our little hamlet. Mind you, I had to pull quite a few strings to get you on as night warden.”

“And keep me out of harm’s way. No, don’t bother to comment. Edward said as much. He thinks I’m more suited to village life. I wonder—”

“What?”

“While we’re on the subject of handguns, is it wise to keep yours loaded and lying about?”

She laughed. “It isn’t lying about. I’ve got it tucked away nicely in a drawer in that sweet little hall table.”