‘You?’ she said finally. ‘You actually did that off your own bat?’

‘There’s no need to look so surprised about it,’ Dulcie said defensively.

Miriam laughed. ‘But I am surprised,’ she said. ‘It isn’t like you to think of other people.’

‘Hark at the pot calling the kettle black!’

Miriam ignored her. ‘There must be a reason for it,’ she declared. She thought for a moment, then said, ‘Do you have a soft spot for Sergeant Trevelyan?’

‘No!’

‘Are you sure?’ Miriam eyed her narrowly. ‘You’re blushing.’

‘Don’t be absurd.’ Dulcie busied herself plumping a pillow with unnecessary force. ‘If you must know, he’s a means to an end.’

‘What’s that supposed to mean?’

Dulcie gave her a smile that she knew would infuriate her. ‘You’ll see,’ she said.

By four o’clock visiting time was over. The families were all ushered out amidst lots of tears, and the nurses set about getting the ward back into some kind of order.

Dulcie made up her mind that she would not approach Sam. She could tell the visit had gone well, but she was still wary of what he might say to her.

Fortunately, Sister set her to work in the kitchen, preparing supper for the men with the VADs. Usually Dulcie would have balked at the task, but today she was grateful as it meant she could give Sam Trevelyan a wide berth.

But when it was suppertime, Miss Sutton insisted that Dulcie should be the one to serve Sergeant Trevelyan.

Dulcie approached him cautiously. Neither of them spoke as she pulled up the bed tray and placed the plate down in front of him.

Sam stared down at it.

‘Did you help cook this?’ he asked.

‘Yes, why?’

‘I can tell.’ He poked at the grey slab of roast mutton with his fork.

Dulcie caught the amused glint in his eye and relief surged through her. She was forgiven.

‘If you don’t like it, you know what you can do,’ she said shortly.

‘Mend my boots with it?’

‘If you’re going to be rude about it, I’ll take it back.’ She went to whisk the plate away.

‘No, don’t.’ He put out his hand to stop her. For a moment they were both still, staring down at his fingers encircling her bare wrist.

Then, slowly, he took his hand away.

Dulcie cleared her throat. ‘Anyway, you don’t know what pudding is yet!’ she said brightly.

He looked up at her from under lowered brows. ‘Let me guess. Something unrecognisable with custard?’

‘Jam roly-poly, actually.’

‘Oh, God,’ Sam groaned.

‘I’ll be sure to pass your compliments on to Sister.’

As Dulcie was walking away, Sam suddenly said, ‘Thank you.’

She looked over her shoulder at him. ‘For the food?’

‘You know what I mean.’ His eyes met hers, and suddenly Dulcie felt the imprint of his fingers again, warm and strong against her skin.

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

Once Edward had got up to light the ovens, Anna curled into the space on his side of the bed, still warm from where his body had been a few minutes earlier. She buried her face in the pillow and breathed in his clean, soapy smell.