<p>1<br />

London. Some time in the imminent present<br />

It began on that day in November when Charles Rawcliff S wife&iuml;&frac14;&OElig;<br />

Judith&iuml;&frac14;&OElig; put their telephone number in the local newsagent s<br />

window in Battersea&iuml;&frac14;&OElig; advertising for a baby-sitter. Among the<br />

first to call that evening was a man who gave his name as Mason.<br />

After Judith had confirmed that he was ringing the right num-<br />

ber&iuml;&frac14;&OElig; she asked to speak to Mrs. Mason. The man apologized and<br />

explained that he was the applicant&iuml;&frac14;&OElig; adding that he was a bomber<br />

pilot&iuml;&frac14;&OElig; stationed at R.A.F. Benson&iuml;&frac14;&OElig; Oxfordshire&iuml;&frac14;&OElig; and was up in<br />

London on a six weeks training course. He didn t know anyone<br />

in town&iuml;&frac14;&OElig; and thought he might fill the odd evening by getting<br />

out of his digs to do some homework&iuml;&frac14;&OElig; and make a bit of tax-free<br />

pocket money on the side. He gave his full name as Flight Officer<br />

Terence Mason; he was married and had three children of his<br />

own.<br />

Judith was amused by the idea; after all&iuml;&frac14;&OElig; what was wrong with<br />

a grown-up man looking after her two-year-old son&iuml;&frac14;&OElig; even if he<br />

was training to drop bombs on people? He had sounded pleasant<br />

and sensible&iuml;&frac14;&OElig; and she agreed to see him at seven the next evening.<br />

But first&iuml;&frac14;&OElig; without consulting her husband&iuml;&frac14;&OElig; she got the number of<br />

R.A.F. Benson and checked with the Duty Officer. Yes&iuml;&frac14;&OElig; they had<br />

a Flight Officer Mason&iuml;&frac14;&OElig; but he was away from camp at the mo-<br />

ment. Yes&iuml;&frac14;&OElig; he was in London for a course on Aerial Control. If it<br />

was a personal matter&iuml;&frac14;&OElig; he would have to refer her to Mason s<br />

commanding officer. She thanked him and hung up.<br />

The candidate arrived punctually at 7 V.M. Charles Rawcliff<br />

<br />

&nbsp;</p>