When they were about to leave, Evangeline took Leslie aside. “You asked me a question earlier, and now I’ll answer it. You see, I get tired of listening to all the bad news on the wireless. All the talk of U boats offshore, threatening our livelihood, and the devastating news of the daily bombings in London. I’m afraid I also get a bit ... worried and frightened. I just have to come away and be with others.”

“I understand,” Leslie said. More than you could imagine.

She gave him what seemed a knowing glance, and he felt immediately drawn to the warmth in her deep green eyes. She opened her handbag and pulled out a book. “It’s called Before the Fact. Have you read it?”

“No, but I’ve heard of it.” Leslie remembered shelving the title at the Cozy Corner alongside some of the great mystery writers of the time -- Allingham, Christie, Sayers.

“A thriller written some time ago, but still quite good, I think,” she said. “I finished it this morning. Please take it. You might enjoy it.”

“I love to read,” Leslie said. “Used to work in a bookshop and read all the time, but I’m not really a mystery fan.”

“You should be. We Brits love our thrillers. I think you’d like this one. Please, for me, okay? I promise I haven’t steered you wrong.”

He hesitated and, before he could thank her for the offer, she held the book out to him. “For a rainy day then. Maybe we’ll meet again and you can give me your assessment. I don’t think I’m spoiling it for you, but it’s about a woman who’s convinced her husband’s going to kill her.”

“And does he?”

“Murder her? That would be telling. You’ll have to find out for yourself.”