‘No, I mean behind the bar.’ She leaned forward conspiratorially. ‘I’ll let you in on a secret,’ she whispered, ‘I’m not really a piano player at all.’

‘You could have fooled me.’

‘I’m a barmaid,’ she announced with pride, then she gave him a cheeky wink, ‘and a bloody good one if I say so myself.’ She jumped eagerly to her feet. ‘Tell you what though, while Rupe’s playing, why don’t we have a quick dance? Just one number, what do you say?’

She noted the dubious look he cast at the group of American soldiers who were still glowering in their direction.

‘Oh, don’t mind them,’ she said dismissively, ‘Val’s got a shotgun under the counter, she’ll make them leave if they cause any trouble.’

She took his hand, and as they weaved their way through the crowded bar to the pocket-sized dance floor, Kasey marvelled at this slender young woman, so blonde, so pretty, yet head held high, defying the animosity he could feel in the room. She might be a country girl, he thought admiringly, but she really is tough.

Kasey had never known anything quite like this.

CHAPTER SEVEN

The Brown’s Bar, during the limited hours of its opening anyway, continued to be a favourite haunt of Rupe’s and Kasey’s – and also of Willie’s because Willie went wherever his two best buddies went. But it was evident to a number of onlookers that young Kasey Davis was drawn to the place for more than the music.

‘You think perhaps you should practise a little caution, Kase?’ Rupe couldn’t help offering a gentle word of warning. ‘You think perhaps you might be getting a little close with this gal?’

‘No, no,’ Kasey replied with an airy wave of his hand. ‘We’re just friends, that’s all. Friends who like music, simple as that.’

The observation was not one-sided, and Rupe wasn’t the only person offering a word of warning. Although Val’s initial approach was more brutal.

‘You’re not leading this boy on, are you?’ she demanded. ‘Because if you’re playing some sort of game you could get him into real trouble, you do know that, don’t you?’

Betty took umbrage. ‘I’m not leading him on at all,’ she responded with icy dignity, ‘Kasey and I are good friends who just happen to share a love of music.’

‘Fair enough.’ Val backed off immediately. ‘But watch out, lovey,’ she said, her tone gentle now, ‘you don’t want to get yourself into trouble.’