The flight officer shrugged. ‘I’m sorry, but I have to take her allegations seriously because they’ve been raised. The Waaf who was with you will also be called for an interview, so you’re not the only one taking the blame.’

‘It’s obvious to anyone that the officer is trying to deflect attention away from herself,’ Ralph said furiously. ‘Why is anyone even listening to her?’

‘She’s a right to her opinion, and as it’s raised a few eyebrows it’s considered to have merit.’

Ralph wanted to shout at the unfairness of it all, but he knew to do so would only make matters worse. He wondered how Beth must be feeling having received the same summons.

Ted’s heart skipped a beat as he held the envelope addressed with unfamiliar writing in his hands. Having ruled out everyone else, he thought it had to be from Olivia or her grandparents, but either way he hoped it would give him an answer. He slit the envelope open and skipped to Olivia’s signature at the end. He smiled.

Hello Ted,

I’ve heard from my grandparents that you went to pay them a visit, but that’s about all. I don’t know what you have to say, but I am prepared to hear your side, even though it can’t change the past. Perhaps it’ll help draw a line under things.

I am currently serving in RAF Shirehampton, so you can either ring or write to me here, whichever suits.

Hoping this letter finds you well.

Olivia

He drew a deep breath. He’d hardly been expecting instant forgiveness, but it was a start, and that’s all he could ask for.

Chapter Six

Ralph entered the room and gave a small nod of recognition to Beth who was sitting on the far side of the table. The past few weeks had been anything but fun. He should have been in London by now with the rest of his platoon, but he had been held back whilst an investigation had been carried out – something which had spread around his fellow men like wildfire. Olivia had apologised profusely for getting him into trouble, and even though he had assured her it was not her fault, there was a tiny part of him that did blame her. After all, had she been the one on duty as she should have been, the WAAF officer would not have been able to make such wild accusations, and neither he nor Beth would be going through this ordeal. Seeing Beth now, her big blue eyes surrounded by a thatch of dark lashes, her blonde hair peeking out beneath her cap, and her … He turned his attention away from her breasts, which accentuated her tiny waist. Not an officer alive would think Ralph had not been flirting with her whilst on duty – they would probably believe he had sent Olivia off so that he could be alone with the other woman. He sat down opposite his flight officer and waited for the accusations to fly, and fly they did. Denying any wrongdoing on her part, the WAAF officer turned the focus on to Beth and Ralph, claiming they’d been incompetent.