‘No, no,’ Lyndon said hastily, drawing his eyes away from the distraction of her legs. ‘My investigation is over, I leave this afternoon. I just called in to thank you for your help. Which was most substantial, I can assure you. More substantial than you could possibly know,’ he added meaningfully, hinting that he wished he could tell her, but that the matter was top secret.

‘Oh I am glad,’ she smiled warmly, ‘I do so like to be of “substantial assistance”. So where to from here, back home, or …?’ She left the query hanging as if she was intensely interested. Val was having fun flirting. It was nice to be found attractive at her age, particularly by someone twenty years younger.

‘Oh no, most certainly not home,’ he said with a deadly serious shake of his head. Her smile was so seductive, so suggestive, he was determined to impress. She was obviously drawn to him, as many women were. ‘I’m to fly out on a bombing mission, although of course I can tell you no more than that.’ He offered a smile of apology.

‘Of course you can’t.’ Her reply said, Apology accepted, and she continued, the voice of concern, ‘Well, you make sure you get home safely, Lyndon.’

‘Oh I intend to do just that, Val, I surely do.’ He could see she was impressed so far, but this was only the beginning, he had a great deal more to offer. ‘Actually, I can tell you this much,’ he said, leaning forward conspiratorially, ‘the investigation I’ve been conducting right here in Townsville was of even greater importance than the mission I’m about to fly on.’

‘Oh really, is that so?’ Good grief, Val thought, how funny, he’s taken me seriously. He thinks I fancy him.

‘Yes, really, that is a God-given fact. I can’t tell you the details of course, but I am here on the direct orders of Franklin Roosevelt himself, the President of the United States of America.’

‘Heavens above,’ she said, stifling a laugh. I know all this, lovey, she thought, half the town knows it.

‘To tell you the truth, Val, and just between you and me, mind, FDR and I are kinda close,’ Lyndon admitted with all due humility. ‘So close, indeed, that I doubt he would have trusted anyone but me with this assignment.’

Val uncrossed her legs, signalling a halt to the flirtation. You’re coming on too strong, mate, she thought, time to back off with this kind of shit. ‘In which case, Lyndon,’ she said, ‘I have to admit it’s been an absolute honour to meet you.’