Her eyes left the book to meet his and she gave him a bright smile. ‘Yes, next weekend,’ she said. ‘I’ll bake some scones to have with our tea.’

Samuel’s worst fears were realised in no time at all. Discontent ran rampant throughout the base camp that had been set up by the banks of the Ross River. Even on the very first day, a powder keg of bitterness spewed forth as men protested their treatment. Why us, they demanded. What have we done? The trouble in town wasn’t our fault, why should we be banned?

And then followed the work, which was more arduous than ever. The clearing of an airfield, 7000 feet long and 150 feet wide, was to be done virtually by hand with only the most basic of tools. No machinery was provided. And this was just the first of three such airfields. Morale was at its lowest point. Men were angry. The fuse had been lit.

‘It’s only a matter of time, Major.’

Samuel sought the assistance of Major Hank Henry in pleading the case for an alternative solution to the ban placed on the troops of the 96th.

‘A cauldron of unrest is brewing out there at Kelso, and you can’t blame the men. They’re overworked to the extreme and then denied access to any sort of leisure that might relieve the tension. We have to provide them with some form of recreation …’

‘And you expect the United States Army to set up a brothel!’ Hank’s expression was a mix of outrage and amusement, albeit of the sardonic kind. To him, the idea was preposterous. ‘I grant you, a blind eye is turned in the interests of serving troops’ basic male urges, Captain, but I hardly think the military will embrace the idea of going into the prostitution business itself.’

‘Oh come on now, Hank.’ Samuel dropped formalities. They were alone in Hank’s office at the barracks and they knew each other well enough. Let’s skip the sarcasm and get down to business, he thought. ‘I didn’t mean a brothel exactly, I meant a form of club on the outskirts of town, a place where the men can unwind with a beer, some music – some girls to dance with, yes, but not necessarily prostitutes. A place where they can relax, for God’s sake.’

‘You want the US Army to fund a club for non-combat Negro servicemen?’

‘Exactly.’

‘And you expect me to take this cockamamie scheme to HQ?’

‘All I’m saying is it wouldn’t hurt to ask,’ Samuel replied tightly. ‘We’re inviting a whole heap of trouble if we don’t do something.’

‘Oh. We are, are we?’ Hank sneered. ‘You’re speaking on behalf of the American military, I take it?’

‘Yes, I believe I am.’ Samuel met the man’s gaze fearlessly. ‘I believe we’ll pay a price if we don’t address the needs of these men.’