‘Angela Dewis.’ She shook his hand and he smiled at her.

‘So it seems that we’re all going to be working together.’

Angela simpered and held onto his hand a fraction longer than was necessary and Holly felt a surge of jealousy.

‘I can recommend this beef stew,’ Harry said, breaking the fraught atmosphere and Holly hurried away to order some for herself and Angela, glad of the chance to gather her wits. She couldn’t believe what had happened and wondered how she’d ever be able to see and work with him every day without showing that she still loved him. And she did still love him! Seeing him again had only reinforced that fact. Still, knowing how hopeless it was, somehow she was going to have to harden her heart.

Some minutes later when she carried the two bowls of stew back to the table she found Richard and Angela deep in conversation and when she took a seat Harry put an arm possessively about her shoulders, making her squirm with embarrassment as she noticed Richard glance over at them.

‘Come on now, get some of that inside you,’ Harry said cheerily. ‘I don’t want my best girl being ill.’

Again she could feel Richard’s eyes boring into her. What must he be thinking of her? Suddenly her appetite had gone and while the others made small talk and Angela flirted outrageously with Richard all she could do was push the food about the bowl. She felt thoroughly miserable, and this was only the beginning. From now on, for an indefinite period, she would probably see him daily. She had truly thought that she had managed to move on; had even considered a future with Harry for a time but now she knew that this could never happen. How to let Harry down gently was the problem.

Chapter Forty

‘Crikey, that Dr Parkin is gorgeous, isn’t he?’ Angela sighed when the meal was over and they were heading back to their cabin.

Holly remained tight-lipped but it didn’t really matter. Angela was clearly so besotted with the handsome doctor that she didn’t even notice.

‘I thought you were feeling queasy?’ Holly said and Angela giggled.

‘I was but he’s so handsome I reckon he’s taken my mind off it. But what time do we set off?’

‘Should be any time now,’ Holly answered, happy to get off the subject of Richard.

‘In that case I think I’ll try to get some sleep.’ Angela yawned, tired after the long train journey. ‘I’m going to keep my clothes on though.’

Despite the fact they had both wanted to come, they were painfully aware that many of the British military ships were being targeted out at sea and they were both feeling rather apprehensive. Angela had even written a letter, which she had hidden in her bag, to be delivered to her mother if she died – although she hadn’t told Holly this. They removed their capes and crept under the blankets fully dressed and surprisingly they both dropped off to sleep in no time. The sudden movement of the ship brought Angela springing awake some time later and her face instantly turned a sickly shade of green.