The typing pool at the offices of BICC, (British Insulated Callendar"s Cables), known locally simply as B.I. was its usual hubbub of sound, the constant clacking of typewriter keys interspersed with the chatter of the girls who manned the machines. Towards the back of the room, Marie Doyle sat busily typing invoices as to her right, her best friend, Clemmy (Clemency) De Souza sat at the neighbouring desk, typing letters for various departmental supervisors. Clemmy and Marie shared a love of music, and when she wasn"t seeing Brendan, Marie could usually be found in the company of the olive-skinned, pretty girl whose father had been a Portuguese merchant seaman. He"d met and fallen in love with a local girl when his ship had been docked in the Port of Liverpool many years ago, and Clemmy had
