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“My deh fairly soon,” Dick said as he checked his Windsor knot in the mirror “Three months at the most, Colonel Oakshott assured me”

“Three more months?” said Charlotte in disbelief

“So’s come up that could turn out to be very important for our future”

“And as usual I suppose you can’t tell me what it is”

“No It’s top secret”

“How very convenient,” said Charlotte “Every ti in our life, all you say is ‘So’s come up’ And when I ask you for details, you always tell me it’s top secret”

“That’s not fair,” said Dick “It is top secret And everything I a to achieve will in the end be for you and David”

“Hoould you know? You’re never here when I put David to bed, and you’ve left for the office long before he wakes up in theHe sees so little of you nowadays that he’s not sure if it’s you or Private Benson who’s his father”

“I have responsibilities,” said Dick, his voice rising

“Yes,” said Charlotte “Responsibilities to your faet us out of this godforsaken city as soon as possible”

Dick put on his khaki jacket and turned round to face her “I’ on it It’s not easy at the moment You must try to understand”

“I think I understand only too well, because it seems remarkably easy for a lot of other people I know And as Der Telegraf keeps re Berlin at least twice a day Perhaps David and I should catch one”

“What do youtoward her

“Quite siht and find you no longer have a wife and child”

Dick took another step toward her and raised his fist, but she didn’t flinch He stopped and stared down into her eyes