So the friendship between the two continued. And it did genuinely appear to be the music causing it to blossom the way it was, for when Kasey sang and Betty joined him on piano it was as if the two were making love. Which was of course why Rupe and Val had felt it necessary to issue a warning, which both had realised was of course destined to go unheeded.

One late Saturday afternoon, when the queue of drinkers had poured into the bar and Betty had started up on the piano, there turned out to be a surprise arrival.

‘Well, well, they were right, you really do make some beautiful music in this place.’

Samuel Robinson had stood quietly by the door watching as Betty and Kasey performed ‘Fascinating Rhythm’ to an appreciative audience that was astoundingly quiet for a room full of servicemen. Now, at the conclusion of the song, as the crowd gave a rapturous round of applause, he walked up to them and made his presence known.

‘Even better than aboard ship,’ he said to Rupe, who was propped beside the piano.

‘Yes siree, Captain,’ Rupe agreed with a nod to Betty, ‘and all due thanks to this young lady.’

‘Indeed. Well played, Miss …?’

‘I’m Betty.’ Betty jumped up from the piano stool, hand outstretched. She’d heard all about the men’s commanding officers from Kasey. This was the nice bloke, the one who liked music, the other one was a right prick. ‘Betty Francis.’

‘How do you do, Betty.’

They shook and he introduced himself. ‘Captain Samuel Robinson,’ he said, thinking how amazingly confident the girl was for one so young. He turned to Kasey. ‘Another spot-on Gershwin rendition, Private,’ he said with a smile. Samuel had hugely enjoyed the impromptu entertainment aboard the Santa Clara, which had not unsurprisingly endeared him to his men.

‘Thank you, sir.’ Kasey returned the smile. ‘We do a lot of Gershwin, Betty and me. She knows them all. Don’t even need the sheet music.’

‘It’s Rupe’s turn now though,’ Betty interrupted, ‘I have to give Jilly a break at the bar. You don’t have a drink, Captain,’ she continued without drawing breath, ‘come and I’ll serve you, what’ll it be, a beer?’

‘Yes. Thank you.’ He followed her meekly.

Rupe took a seat at the piano and leaped straight into a lively version of ‘At the Woodchopper’s Ball’.

Upon arriving at the bar, Betty told Jill to take a break. ‘I know you’re dying to have a dance,’ she said, ‘and just look at Willie over there, he’s straining at the leash.’

Barely a minute later, as she delivered Samuel Robinson his beer, Betty was pleased to see that Jill and young Willie Parker were already throwing their bodies around on the minuscule dance floor. Willie had taught Jill to jitterbug just the previous week, and Jill, who adored to dance, was a very quick learner.