‘Oh,’ Brenda said rather curtly. ‘You’ve already got company. I’ll see you later then, shall I?’

‘No – Brenda, do come in. I’ll make us all a cuppa.’ I was embarrassed that Brenda should feel she had to leave.

‘You’re all right,’ Brenda said. ‘You talk to your friend. I’ll get back and sort out my washing. See you later, Katie.’

I was relieved. Trying to juggle Olivia and Brenda together would have been pretty taxing. Olivia’s eyes followed Brenda from the room, bemused.

‘Gracious,’ she said, eyeing me up and down.

I pointed out the landmarks on my apron. ‘That’s sputum, that one’s vomit, and this wet patch, you’ll be relieved to know, is only water.’

She took in my sudden tired irritation. ‘Sorry, you must be exhausted. And missing dear Angus.’ I chose to ignore the arch tone in her voice.

Tears filled my eyes. ‘I am. I feel so worried, and I don’t even know what there is to worry about yet.’ A sense of foreboding that I could barely put into words had weighed me down ever since Angus left. I missed him with an intensity I hadn’t expected. Now he was gone I knew just how much I loved him, and that feeling was private and couldn’t be shared with anyone else. Not even Olivia. I had had a note from him, though, saying he was settling in and learning a great deal. Apparently he was in Cornwall.

‘Poor Katie,’ Olivia said. Carefully she lifted off her bright cherry-coloured hat and laid it on my table. ‘Come here – ’ She held out her arms to me, then withdrew them again. ‘How about taking that apron off?’

I unbuckled my belt and lifted the apron off and then we hugged each other and I felt her soft hair against my cheek. She felt like someone from a different world, beautiful and sweet-smelling: Givenchy perfume, her favourite.

I held her at arm’s length, smiling. ‘It’s lovely to see you.’ Then I narrowed my eyes suspiciously. ‘What are you doing here?’

‘I’ve got news to tell you. I’ve got to tell someone or I’ll burst.’

I stared at her. ‘You haven’t?’

Her face broke into a delighted grin. ‘I have. I had a letter today.’ She held it out for me to read.

‘On behalf of the Naval Ministry I should like to invite you . . .’

‘I’ve been accepted by the Wrens!’

‘Oh no, Livy – not you as well!’ I said without thinking. ‘I’m sorry, I suppose I ought to be congratulating you. I’m happy for you if that’s what you want. But what on earth have your parents said?’

‘They don’t know. I’m not going to tell them until the last minute.’

‘D’you think that’s wise?’

Olivia nodded emphatically. ‘Oh yes. They’ll be hopping mad when they hear.’

I handed her a cup of tea. ‘It’s been difficult at home, hasn’t it?’

‘Difficult?’ Olivia shrugged as if she couldn’t find the words. ‘I’ll say.’