Grace had only intended to spend a short while with Albie Sallis, but was so engrossed in their game of whist, she didn’t notice the time until Dulcie came up to her.

‘What are you doing?’ she hissed. ‘We’re supposed to be off duty now. We’re meeting the others by the gates at half-past ten, don’t forget.’

‘I’ll be there soon,’ Grace said.

‘But we’ll be late.’

‘Then you go without me,’ Grace cut her off. ‘I’ll join you as soon as I can.’

‘What’s this?’ Albie asked as Dulcie stomped off. ‘Got a date, have you?’

‘Hardly,’ Grace smiled. ‘Sylvia – Nurse Saunders – is having a wedding dress fitting and she’s invited some of us to go with her.’

‘Then why are you still here? You should go.’

‘I’m sure they won’t miss me.’ Grace laid down a card.

‘All the same, you should be there. It ain’t fair that you’re always the odd one out.’

Grace looked up at him. Was that really how people saw her, the odd one out? ‘I really don’t mind.’

‘No, but I do.’ Albie gathered up the cards, ending the game. ‘You don’t have to sit here and keep me company,’ he insisted. ‘I’m old enough and ugly enough to look after myself. Besides,’ he added, his eyes twinkling with mischief, ‘it looked like you were going to win that round!’

Grace laughed. ‘I think I was, for once!’ She stood up. ‘Are you sure you’ll be all right?’

‘I’ll be fine. You get off to your wedding dress fitting.’

Grace turned, just in time to see Dr Logan standing behind her. He stared from Albie to her and back again, then turned on his heel and walked off.

‘Not again! He’s really got the hump today, hasn’t he?’ Albie commented.

‘Yes,’ Grace sighed, watching him go. ‘Yes, I’m afraid he has.’

Dulcie, Miriam and Mary Finnegan were already at the dressmaker’s when Grace arrived. As an assistant opened the door to her, she could hear them in the waiting room, twittering excitedly together like birds.

‘There you are!’ Miriam looked up at her accusingly. ‘We were beginning to think you weren’t coming.’

‘Where’s Saunders?’

Mary Finnegan nodded towards a door. ‘Through there, getting dressed.’

Grace sat down on the end of the row as the other three all turned towards each other to resume their giggling conversation. They were discussing which men were going to be at the wedding, and who might invite them to go as their escorts.

Grace concentrated on taking off her gloves and smoothing them out in her lap. She was used to being left out of such conversations.

Dulcie, of course, was very smug, since she already had an escort for the wedding. She made sure she kept mentioning it too, just to irritate Miriam. Grace couldn’t help smiling at the other girl’s tight-lipped expression.

Suddenly, Mary Finnegan turned to Grace and said, ‘Do you have your eye on anyone, Duffield?’

Miriam Trott gave an unkind snort. ‘What are you asking her for? She’s never even had a boyfriend.’