Author's note: (Skip this bit if you have already read Baltic adventure.) John and Nancy are recently engaged, to no-one's surprise. Having carried some secret papers across Europe and narrowly escaped capture as spies, they undertook to take David, a baby of a few weeks old, to his uncle who lives in London. David's uncle was unable to look after the baby. Nancy and John took David with them to Beckfoot. Turning up with a baby of a few weeks old after Nancy had been absent for several months has caused a good deal of gossip around the Lake and cost Nancy a job as a Games mistress before she even started. John has returned to his duties as a naval officer. The other Walkers and the Callums are staying at the Lake for a few weeks before term starts in September (later for the Callums) having had their own adventures in the Baltic and North Seas, during which Susan's arm was broken, delaying her return to nursing.

Anna and Jan are David's parents and saved John and Nancy from capture at considerable risk to themselves.

I haven't given all of most letters to spare the blushes of the engaged couple. Can you imagine how furious they would be with me if I had?

Chapter one - 1938

John Walker to Nancy Blackett – August 1938

Dear Nancy,

(Yes - you deserve something more romantic, but I've been writing that for years now so it comes automatically. And you've been getting a lot more letters than anyone else for years, darling. Did you realise?)

Your uncle has just left. There's a reasonable chance he's going to arrive at Beckfoot before this letter. I know you wanted to tell him about our engagement yourself, but I had to tell him. He certainly isn't going to forbid the banns, but we did start off with a bit of a row. At least he rowed me. Given what he thought he knew I can't blame him.

We both realised of course that there was a lot of gossip about us and David and I thought your mother dealt with it very cleverly, but I suppose not everyone hears all the gossip. Anyway, it appears that several people, including the GA, had written to him, putting the worst possible interpretation on our behaviour – mine at least. Of course he came storming along demanding to see me and speak with me in private. I got the impression he would have been glad if he had been able to challenge me to a duel. I rather suspect your less- than- respectable eighteenth century Turner ancestors might have had the same grand manner.

It also appears that he stayed in the same hotel in Helsinki – and so of course saw our names in the hotel register when he signed it himself. I can't help thinking that that was too much of a co-incidence to be a co-incidence.

I explained; he was mollified. I expect, darling, you are going to have quite a lot of explaining to do too. I rather expect that he'll know the questions not to ask.

Of course I had a lot of explaining to do after he had gone. I think, judging by the Old Man's expression this isn't the first irate father, uncle or brother he's encountered. Oh yes, he did speak to your uncle before he left – and to me afterwards. All things considered, I thought it was better to tell him everything. I think we did manage to surprise him.

If I don't finish this letter now, there's no chance of it getting to you before your Uncle.

I thought I used to miss you before. I miss you much more now.

I love you.

John

Nancy Blackett to John Walker -August 1938

….. Your letter did arrive before Uncle Jim, but not by long. He spent one night at Beckfoot – during which David put forth his best efforts. Mother pronounced it to be wind. She was, eventually, right.

I have had a reply from Anna. They are disappointed, of course that David is not with his relatives, but understand the reasons. At least they know he is safe here.

I had a rather frustrating conversation with Uncle Jim about it. He kept asking if this was how we wanted to start our married life. I kept explaining to him that no, it wasn't ideal but that we had taken on the responsibility and we couldn't and wouldn't shirk it. I did have a few letters back when I wrote to various places that organise adoptions. There are actually quite a few couples looking for small babies to adopt – but there are plenty of babies too, and not many people are prepared to look after a baby not knowing whether or not they might have to hand him back eventually. For some reason more people want to adopt a girl.

I told Uncle Jim that we'd be quite happy for David to go to another home, if it would be better for him, but tried to explain how unlikely it was that there was one. In the end, he stalked off to his study. I suppose he's just worrying about Mother really.

Anyway, he went off to the houseboat pretty quickly this morning. Susan is still very quiet. Peggy is back at work of course, and the others are on Wild Cat so she only has Mother and me for company during the day. Whatever she said to Jim, or he said to her has upset her quite a bit. Dick has fixed the pram so it doesn't squeak or pull to one side.

John Walker to Nancy Blackett – August 1938

…. I expect he's concerned for you as well. If he isn't he jolly well should be. Mother is on her way home, so Susan will be able to tell her about it soon – that is if she intends talking about it to anyone.

I know this isn't traditionally how it's done, but where would you like to go for our honeymoon? I have no intention of starting off by making decisions for both of us without consulting you, my darling, as I hope you have noticed. I think we'll have to spend enough of our lives dealing with the consequences of other people's decisions to be honest.

Nancy Blackett to John Walker – August 1938

…..To answer your other question – Wild Cat island. Smile as much as you like – I bet you are smiling. I don't think there is anywhere else in the world that is quite as special to both of us. Of course the others will have strict instructions to keep right away.

Uncle Jim has seems to have found a possible new home for David! He met someone he knew – more of an old friend of Father's really, just after he had spoken to you. He seems to have told him about us and David. This friend, Lord Peter Wimsey, (Yes, he's the detective one.) has a friend, a Freddy Arbuthnot whose wife is Jewish. They have two children already, but would probably be prepared to look after David, indefinitely if needs be, but more importantly would be prepared to give him back to Anna and Jan if they do manage to leave Germany. Their children are still very young, so for David it would be like having sisters I suppose. I'll have to write to Anna and Jan and see what they say of course.

Lord Peter is coming to see us in a week or so about it. I think Mother is quite looking forward to seeing someone who knew Father and talking about him. I am too, to be honest.

Susan sent a telegram to say they had all got back safely to Portsmouth. Mother was quite keen for her to stay until the cast was off, but I don't think Susan thought it a good idea to leave Titty in charge of getting the other two ready for a new term. The Ds don't start until the beginning of October, so they have nearly another month. Prof and Mrs Callum are still away on a dig, so Dick and Dot have no reason to go back to London just yet.

Nancy Blackett to John Walker - September 1938

…..I expect Uncle Jim might stop apologising before the wedding. Really it is just as well he did take it that way, otherwise he wouldn't have bumped in to Lord Peter and we wouldn't have heard of the Arbuthnots. Now that there seems to be a chance that I won't be looking after David for that much longer, I realise that it will be a bit of a wrench if/when he does go. It seems a step nearer admitting that Anna and Jan might never get away. There seems to be a monumental amount of paper-work involved. That's not to say it won't be a relief too. Mother is wonderful and would do more for David if I let her, but if she gets up in the night she finds it hard to get back to sleep. I've put myself in the spare room and Peggy and Dot are sharing. Peggy still hears David sometimes when he wakes. It's a bit rotten for her as she has no chance to catch up during the day.

Nancy Blackett to John Walker, September 1938

Of course the Great Aunt said she was "coming to support Mother". I suppose I should be glad she didn't make Mother ill. The GA seems to be almost afraid of David. David still can't actually do that much apart from wriggle a bit and smile, which he does rather nicely. Every time he did move, the GA eyed him as if he was a horse that might kick or something and suggested that he should be asleep in his cot. He has to be awake sometimes – how else is he going to learn anything? She didn't want to hold David either. Mother says she was like that with me when I was a baby too, so I suppose I shouldn't expect anything else. She had gone to live in Harrogate by the time Peggy was born. It suits me, because when I want to get away from the GA, I just announce that David needs more fresh air and take him out for another walk in the pram. Mother has the same idea, so he gets two or three a day. He is sleeping pretty well at night now! The GA demanded your address, so I'm afraid you'll probably get a letter from her. I hope it isn't too ghastly.

I've had another letter from Anna and Jan. They are very circumspect but are full of thanks to us both and send their congratulations. They ask after you.

The D's have escaped the GA as they are now staying at with the Dixons. They did come over for afternoon tea – very prim and proper. Everyone remembered when we were supposed to have met each other – just. There was one narrow squeak. The Great Aunt said something about the lake freezing over and "unbridled behaviour" in Rio bay. Peg asked Dorothea if she remembered the being able to hear the noise from Rio, but Dick quickly said that Mrs Dixon had mentioned it in a letter, so that went off alright. Both the D's seemed a bit quiet, even for them. Maybe they aren't looking forward to going back to university.

John Walker to Nancy Blackett, September 1938

I did get a letter from her. All neat, tidy and almost unreadable handwriting. It took me a few goes to work it out. The gist of it was that she intended to welcome me into the family by outlining all the ways in which you are far too good for me. I knew that already, of course. There was something about duty to the Empire. (She appears to think too much of it is not a good thing, but supposes I won't take any notice.) Given recent Hitler's latest demands I don't know how she can write that, but I could only decipher about one word in three, so may have misunderstood.

Nancy Blackett to John Walker, September 1938

I don't think that was what she meant about the Empire at all, but I'm glad you intend to take no notice!

I like Rachel and Freddy Arbuthnot. He pretends to be none-to-bright, but I'm fairly sure it is pretence. Having met her, I don't think Rachel would marry an idiot. More importantly, they will take good care of David. All the paperwork seems to be going ahead, albeit very, very slowly. Anna and Jan sent a letter giving their approval. Actually they sent two, an official one and an unofficial one. Things look so gloomy and if there is a war I don't want to be stuck here as if my feet were nailed to the floor with nothing to do but worry about you.

Peggy Blackett to Susan Walker, October 1938

It always does get quieter at the end of August and quieter again at the end of September. People are more likely to chat when there aren't so many visitors about. Yes, there are still a few people making snide comments about Nancy and John, just loud enough for me to hear. Of course, stuck behind a counter I can't walk off and since it is a post-office, I can't tell them to jolly well buzz off either. I wouldn't mention that to you mother though – I don't say anything about it to Mother, because I don't see any need to upset her.

Nancy Blackett to John Walker, October 1938

Well it isn't all off, but there is a delay. No-one seems very clear about why. Rachel and Freddy are talking about coming to collect David at the end of November now. At the moment he seems fairly happy to be held by anyone, but I don't know how long that might last. I asked Mother who said that it depended on the baby, and that she couldn't really remember, except that the Great Aunt had always scared Peggy and that she thought David already preferred me. I didn't say so to her, but I worry that she might be right. I'm still writing to Anna and Jan every week. They still write back, but very carefully.

Nancy Blackett to John Walker, November 1938

…I haven't heard from Anna for over a week. Mother is flapping about dresses and things. We couldn't just elope could we? Please?

12th November: Nancy Blackett to John Walker

... I went and bought all the newspapers I could find to keep them for David. One copy of each title I mean. If, or perhaps when, the time comes that David asks why his parents handed him over to two total strangers, I suppose that will be a more convincing reply than anything that Rachel and Freddy can tell him – or you and I …..

20th November: Molly Blackett to Mary Walker

… When Anna and Jan walked into the room, Nancy's face was a picture. She won't often admit to being taken aback, but Lord Peter certainly managed it. Bob always did say Wimsey was too clever for anyone's good, but this time I think it has done everyone some good. After that dreadful news, I am most relieved for Anna and Jan, of course. I'm sure strings were pulled. I can only be glad they were.

Bob used to describe Lord Peter as a "flamboyant blighter". I hadn't seen it before – you couldn't expect it under the circumstances the last time he came to stay, but he certainly managed to make enough noise locally this time. Of course a shiny motor car will attract a certain amount of attention from small boys of all ages, and I don't believe women do gossip any worse than men.

All this has had the effect of making those who were still making snide comments about the morals of our offspring look pretty silly. Peggy has carefully been not mentioning it to either Nancy or me. It seems strange to have Peggy being so protective. Still, she is nearly twenty-one.

Nancy is missing David rather more than she thought she would – although I think most of the weeping (which she thinks I haven't noticed) was relief that his parents did manage to escape. I might get her mind on to dresses and so forth now.

I'm glad to hear how well Susan's arm is so much better and I hope she is feeling a little more cheerful too. The pain was obviously wearing her down a good deal when she was here, although she kept saying it really wasn't too bad.

28th November 1938: Nancy Blackett to John Walker

Mother has now decided that I really must "buckle down to thinking about the wedding." I pointed out that I was thinking about it, quite a lot. She gave me an old-fashioned look and made it very clear that she meant dresses and things and arrangements, not thinking about being married! Yes, love, I am sitting here with a soppy smile!

Mother and Father seem to have had quite a small wedding – I suppose because the GA never really approved of Father and it was wartime. I suspect Mother wants to make a fuss to show how much she does approve of you. She really does have plenty of sense.

Regarding bridesmaids, I've decided on Peggy and your sisters and no-one else. It seemed logical to include Dot in a way, but four is quite enough. Two would be enough really, but it would be too unkind. So I've made one decision and Mother is happier.

I've had an interesting letter from the admiralty today. I think the most interesting thing about it is the timing. It arrived 8 days after Anna and Jan turned up to collect David. (I don't know how Lord Peter managed that – and I don't suppose I ever shall.) I would have suspected the Very Senior Officer had a hand in it, but of course he would have no reason to know exactly when David was restored to his parents. I guess that your father had something to do with it, unless you're up to something without telling me. Anyway, I'm invited to discuss "a matter in which I may be able to render some assistance" next week. I'm staying with Aunt Helen and Lillian. Mother is delighted and thinks I ought to look at dresses while I'm in London. I pointed out it's a long way to go for fittings!

1st December 1938: John Walker to Nancy Blackett

My darling,

You didn't give me your aunt's address, so I'll send this to Beckfoot.

Thank you for being so generous about the bridesmaids. It must have been very tempting to have only Peggy, even though you didn't say it, but it will means a great deal to Titty, Susan and Bridget all in their different ways.

I certainly wouldn't dare to scheme behind your back! I'm as intrigued as you are about what the Admiralty want with you. I didn't write and tell my parents about Anna and Jan until the day before I got your letter. Did Peggy write to Susan about it?

If I ask Dick to be an usher, do you think it will matter leaving Dorothea without a specific role? Or will she be quite happy organising Dick? Ideally it needs to be someone who will know most of the guests and can be methodical and sure of being there. None of my other friends could be at all sure of getting leave at the right time.

Elopement seems very attractive sometimes. It really would disappoint everyone though, my mother as well as yours.

December 1938: Nancy Blackett to John Walker

Well, it was certainly an interesting interview. Perhaps I should say it was an interesting meeting. It started out as one and turned into the other. I think I'll certainly be staying with Aunt Helen for the next few weeks. They intend to re-form the WRNS and of course there will be no end of committee meetings about it. I don't think they intend to recruit all that many people unless (or until) there is a war, but they want to have a certain amount sorted out ready. That includes having a small number of officers already trained and with plans for recruitment and training in place. I've been invited to be one of them. It's going to be a lot more exciting than teaching games. No-one seems to mind about my being engaged either. In fact no-one has said anything about it, although Mrs M definitely noticed the ring. I think she intended me to notice her noticing. Anyway, I remind myself before every meeting that I am the youngest (at least I think I am) and try not to say much unless asked. I hope you're impressed by my restraint!

Lillian, who really does know a lot about dress and colours and that sort of thing, is taking Susan, Titty and me shopping at the weekend. Peggy has used up all her holidays of course, and Susan said we would get along faster without Bridget. She also said inviting Jim Brading wouldn't bother her, but that he might not accept. Still, you can say that about anyone who might not get time off from work.