‘But it won’t affect us surely, Grandfather?’ Holly said.

He shook his head. ‘I fear it might. The arms race in Europe is looming larger and Winston Churchill has made the largest navy budget ever to the Commons to ensure that we can put eight squadrons into service in the time that it takes Germany to build five. But that’s enough gloom and doom for one evening, especially on one of your rare days off. How do you fancy a game of chess?’

She smiled. He had taught her to play chess some months before and now got quite touchy when she beat him.

‘It’s just beginner’s luck,’ he would grumble but he was secretly very proud of her, although he sensed that all was not well with her since she had returned home. It was nothing she said, just a look in her eyes sometimes as if her heart and her thoughts were far away, which, could he have known it, they were.

The following day Holly was making her first visit to London to visit Miss May since she had returned home and despite the painful memories there she was looking forward to it, so after once again beating her grandfather at chess she went to her room to lay out the clothes she would wear, as she intended to make an early start.

She was at the train station by nine o’clock the following morning and she boarded the train in a happy mood. She and Miss May were going to have lunch together, Holly’s treat, and as the train chugged along she was trying to decide where she should take her. She decided on a little restaurant that had been a favourite of hers and Ivy’s just off Oxford Street. When the train drew into Euston she found the station just as busy as she remembered it and she set off in the warm sunshine to walk to the shop. As she was walking across Euston Square a couple strolling arm in arm in front of her caught her eye. There was something familiar about the man’s walk and as he turned his head towards his companion, who was very pretty indeed, her stomach lurched. It was Richard, every bit as handsome as she remembered him. The couple were laughing at something the young woman had said and eager not to be seen Holly turned abruptly to walk the other way. But it was too late. Richard had seen her from the corner of his eye and he stopped in his tracks to stare at her. With a determined effort Holly drew herself up to her full height and as she approached him she smiled politely.

He took off his hat, his eyes fixed on hers. ‘Hello, Holly. How are you? You’re looking well.’ Then suddenly remembering his manners he nodded towards the girl at his side, ‘I’m so sorry. Holly, this is Melissa.’

Melissa gave her a charming smile and although Holly wanted to hate her she found that she couldn’t.