Ralph frowned. ‘I don’t quite understand why I’m getting into trouble for this. I was merely standing in for one of the Waafs whilst she nipped to the lavvy. If you want to have a go at someone, you should be talking to the officer who tried to gain access to an RAF base without any identification.’

‘The reason why we wanted to talk to you on the matter is because you weren’t down for duty that day, and we wanted to confirm what you were doing there,’ said the flight officer, exasperated. ‘We need to know that your reasons are legitimate.’

Ralph shook his head. ‘Why wouldn’t they be?’

The flight officer drew a deep breath. ‘The officer in question suggested that you were with your girlfriend, and that you shouldn’t have been there, and you weren’t behaving in a professional manner. She says you were unreliable and that you should be court-martialled along with the Waaf concerned.’

Ralph stared open-mouthed at the flight officer. ‘She’s wasn’t my girlfriend.’

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