‘Ooh, that’s my cue to go! I don’t want to be a gooseberry. See you later, Holly.’

Once she was gone Holly pulled her hand from his and bit her lip. This had gone on for quite long enough and she knew that it wasn’t fair to give Harry false hope any longer.

‘Harry …’ she began tentatively. ‘I’m really sorry because I’m very fond of you … but the thing is … I don’t love you and I think you deserve a girl that does. I admit for a time I thought we might make a go of things but I realise now it wouldn’t be fair on you, I’m so sorry.’

His face hardened. ‘And what’s brought this about all of a sudden? Things were fine between us before you went. Is it Richard? I’m no fool and I’ve seen the way you look at him.’

‘No, it’s nothing to do with Richard,’ she denied. ‘But there was never anything official between us and I just don’t think you and I have a future together. I … I’m so sorry.’

‘So am I,’ he said as he slammed his chair away from the table so quickly that it almost overturned. ‘You’ve been stringing me along and I don’t appreciate that. But never mind, there are plenty of nurses to choose from who hopefully won’t be as cold as you are.’ And with that he was gone, leaving her feeling bereft. Harry was a good man but she knew more than ever now that he could never take Richard’s place in her heart. No one could, so it looked as if there was a very empty future ahead of her.

There was great excitement in the nurses’ quarters on the following Saturday as those of them who were off duty prepared for the dance. Unknown to Angela, Holly had actually volunteered to work the night shift.

‘Oh, I wish you were coming,’ Angela groaned as she applied a layer of lipstick in the mirror above the fire. She was all done up in the only civilian dress she had brought with her and after weeks of wearing her uniform she felt like a different girl.

‘Don’t worry about me, just go and enjoy yourself.’ Holly was fastening her cap ready to go on duty. ‘I’ve no doubt looking like that you’ll have a queue of men wanting to dance with you.’

Angela preened as she studied her reflection in the mirror again and pouted. ‘Do you really think so? Just so long as one of them is Dr Parkin.’

Holly’s stomach did a little somersault as she thought of Angela in Richard’s arms but she didn’t say anything.

She was just entering the ward when Sister Flynn waylaid her with a smile on her face. ‘Good news, Nurse Farthing. You have been granted leave from the first of February for two weeks. We’ve arranged for you to return home on one of the hospital ships that will be sailing that morning and I’ve no doubt you won’t mind tending the patients on the crossing?’