‘Only it would mean that you’d know the truth,’ Josie said levelly, ‘and that alone could help you understand what really went on. I wonder if that’s why your father wrote to you?’

Olivia’s mouth hung open. ‘Of course! I’d forgotten about that, but it makes sense now. I bet Ted went to see Dad first and that’s why Dad wrote to me, because he wants to speak to me before Ted has a chance to.’ She shook her head. ‘My God, are there no lengths that man won’t go to to cover his tracks?’

‘So you do think he was lying?’ said Maude.

‘It certainly looks that way,’ Olivia confirmed. ‘All this time and not a word, but as soon as Ted turns up, bingo!’

‘So, are you going to write to Ted?’ Maude asked hopefully. ‘Only if you want my opinion, I reckon your nan’s right. And on top of that, Ted has a right to clear his name, and you have a right to know the truth.’

Olivia nodded. ‘I’ll write to him after I come off duty.’ She turned anxiously to her friends. ‘Please don’t tell anyone else that I’m writing to an old flame, because they might not understand.’

Beth nodded definitely. ‘Mum’s the word.’

Maude agreed heartily. ‘That goes for me too.’

‘And me,’ said Josie.

Olivia continued to read the rest of her grandmother’s letter in a half-hearted fashion, because she couldn’t keep her thoughts from Ted and why he had turned up after all these years. She wondered if he was married and whether he had any children. He obviously knew about her being pregnant, but how? She tried to imagine what Ted must look like now, some eighteen years or so since she last saw him. Her mind turned guiltily to Ralph, who had written to tell her he was going to be operating in one of the most dangerous parts of the country, and here she was daydreaming about her first love. Should she get back in touch with Ted, or would it be seen as disloyal to Ralph? She mulled this over for a moment or so before asking Maude’s opinion.

‘As long as you’re only contacting Ted to hear what he has to say, I don’t see what harm it could do,’ Maude said. ‘It’s not as though you’re considering rekindling your relationship, and besides, you and Ralph aren’t even courting, not officially at any rate.’

Feeling better about the matter, Olivia nodded. ‘You’re right. I’ll write back to him, and he can tell me his side of the story. After that we can go our separate ways.’