Stanislaw had yet to ask her to marry him, for he wanted to secure a future for them first. Neither had they had the chance to sleep together – not that they hadn’t wanted to, but circumstances so far had made it impossible. But she sensed he would be a wonderful lover, for he was a passionate man who not only had the capacity for great gentleness, but a deep respect for her moods and feelings.

She wrapped her arms about her waist as she watched the sea lapping at the shingle. It had taken all her courage to tell him why she couldn’t give him children, for he’d begun to talk about them having a son together. But he’d surprised her by tearfully taking her into his arms and telling her he’d rather live without children than lose her.

Remembering that she’d promised to fetch Cordelia’s prescription from the chemist before it closed at lunchtime, she stepped outside and heard Frank talking to someone. She was about to greet him when she realised who was with him and quickly shot back behind the door to watch them getting into Frank’s truck which was parked outside his house.

‘Well, well, well,’ she murmured with a giggle as Frank drove up the track and disappeared from sight. ‘Now there’s a surprise.’

She arrived back at Beach View with the cough medicine to find Peggy and Cordelia in a complete tizzy.

‘Thank goodness you’re back,’ Peggy said the moment she stepped into the kitchen. ‘We’ve got to go up to the airfield. Now hurry up.’

‘But why? Is there an emergency? Will I need my medical bag?’

‘I shouldn’t think so,’ said Peggy distractedly as she helped Cordelia on with her coat and handed her the walking stick. ‘But it is very important, and if we don’t get a move on we’ll be too late.’

‘Late for what? You are not making any sense.’

‘It will all be explained soon enough,’ Peggy replied, chivvying her into the hall. Peggy helped Cordelia down the steps and into her car. ‘Do get a move on, dear,’ she urged Danuta.

Danuta shut the front door behind her and ran down the steps to climb into the back seat, utterly confused. ‘Where’s Daisy?’

‘She’s with Charlie,’ said Peggy. She started the engine and drove at reckless speed out of the cul-de-sac and up the road which would eventually take them to the airfield.

‘I know you have a lot of questions, Danuta, but I need to concentrate on my driving,’ she said firmly.

‘Cordelia, do you know what all this is about?’ she asked, leaning towards her.

‘No dear, I haven’t got gout. The arthritis is bad enough without that,’ she replied calmly.

Danuta flopped back into the seat and folded her arms in frustration. It was clear Cordelia had switched off her hearing aid and Peggy was determined to keep her lips sealed about why they were now hurtling past the Cliffe estate and turning into the airfield so fast the tyres squealed in protest. The only thing she could think of was that Martin and the others had found another pilot and wanted to show him off.