‘Enjoy the beautiful music,’ she called as Samuel, beer in hand, walked off to stand near the piano. Betty knew she’d been a source of irritation to the captain, but she wasn’t in the least bothered. She only regretted that she hadn’t been able to glean a little more inside information to share with Kasey. No matter, she’d be able to make a funny story about how annoying she’d been to the poor man, ‘When all he wanted to do was groove to the music,’ she’d say. She loved making Kasey laugh.

She caught Kasey’s eye now and they exchanged intimate smiles, a language of their own. He’d be waiting for her when she knocked off work in a couple of hours – the bar was never open for very long – and they’d go for a walk. Their relationship had escalated dramatically over the past days. But all love-at-first-sight relationships do, don’t they, Betty thought knowingly.

Not for one minute did Betty question what she felt was true love. Nor did she question the degree of Kasey’s love. They were both head over heels and they both knew it. This was undoubtedly the real thing. They’d even shared a kiss during their last walk – down by the creek, away from the crowds – it had naturally been she who had initiated the kiss.

‘Nobody’s watching,’ she’d whispered. She could tell he was guarded, wary – because she was white, of course. For all Kasey’s boldness, he was very conscious of the looks people gave them. No doubt on her behalf. But he needn’t be. She didn’t care what people thought.

So they’d kissed. The perfect kiss. Tender, loving, everything she’d imagined a perfect kiss would be. She’d been transported. Yes, this was definitely the real thing, she’d thought. And that very same night, lying in bed, reliving the moment, she’d made a plan.

Betty intended to tell Kasey all about her plan later today, in the early evening when they went for their walk. She’d leave it until after they’d kissed though.

Over the next half hour or so, as she continued pulling beers, pouring drinks and flashing pretty smiles at customers, even exchanging flirtatious repartee, Betty was really working on automatic pilot.

Her mind in full romantic mode, her glance happened upon the captain and she couldn’t help but think of poor tragic Amelia Sanderson. Still young. Well, relatively – Amelia must be close to thirty, she thought. Still attractive – well, sort of, perhaps a bit colourless. But so sad. Ever watching, ever waiting for a husband who would never return. How wonderful if poor Amelia could accept her widowhood and find a new love in Captain Robinson. Who isn’t really bad looking, Betty thought – in an older-man, craggy sort of way.