But by now Tess had got tired of the whole conversation. She felt that Snowy had backed her into a corner by choosing such a public place to tell her that his call-up papers had arrived. And his recurring urge to get engaged, though flattering, did not somehow ring true. If she fell in love with someone else during Snowy’s absence, she was unlikely to let promises, or an engagement ring for that matter, get in her way. And as for kisses, well they were all very fine, but they didn’t change anything. She jumped to her feet, snatched her coat off the back of her chair and her handbag from beneath it, and stalked towards the door. She would have liked to sweep out, but could not, in all fairness, do so. Snowy had taken her to see the film of her choice and bought her a meal, and all she had done was refuse to get engaged and tell him off. So she waited whilst he paid the bill, her temper cooling, and when he arrived beside her and did not attempt to take her hand or touch her in any way she was sorry she had upset him. After all, soon he would be off to training camp, or whatever they called it, and she might not see him again for two years. So she tucked her hand into the crook of his elbow as they began to descend the long flight of stairs. ‘I’m sorry, Snowy, because you’ve been a good friend to me and a tremendous help. Jonty and I were close as kids but we’re neither of us kids any more. Jonty’s got a girlfriend – Pamela Davies – and I’ve got you, so why should either of us worry? When we get back to the flat, I’ll get one of Jonty’s letters so that you can read it.’ She squeezed his arm. ‘Agreed?’

‘Agreed,’ Snowy said rather sullenly. ‘And now let’s change the subject. That chap Mitch Roberts; they’re a decent little family. If you ever want a cleaner, you couldn’t do better than to employ his mam. I haven’t had much to do with the father but I believe he’s perfectly respectable unless drunk, and that goes for a lot of seamen, I understand.’ He scowled at her. ‘And don’t try and tell me that you and Jonty aren’t still pretty close, because you’ve just proved it. You keep his letters!’

Tess groaned. ‘Oh, for God’s sake grow up, Snowy White,’ she said wearily. ‘It just so happens that I keep one letter or possibly two until I’ve answered them . . .’ she crossed her fingers behind her back, ‘then I chuck them in the rubbish bin. Satisfied?’

‘I will be when I’ve seen the letter,’ Snowy said after rather a long pause. ‘Oh, Tess, why have I had the misfortune to fall in love with a pig-headed little person with a weakness for hicks?’

Tess laughed, though she was secretly annoyed with Snowy’s constant attempts to diminish Jonty, and as they reached the pavement she gave him a punch in the ribs, hard enough to make him gasp. ‘Serve you right,’ she said merrily. ‘I say, that was a super meal, but knowing Gran there’ll be hot cocoa and shortbread when we reach the flat. Aren’t you glad you didn’t march off in a huff? I know you came pretty near it – I could read it in your face.’