Josie nodded. ‘She did say she missed being close to a town, so perhaps this is a case of cabin fever?’

‘Could be,’ said Maude. ‘Beth’s probably missing some male companionship. Let’s face it, we’ve not got a lot of men on base, and the ones we have got are either old as the hills or ugly as sin.’

Josie burst out laughing. ‘When you put it that way, it’s easy to see why she’s fed up.’

Beth entered the hut and headed for her friends. ‘What’s tickled your fancy?’

‘Maude’s description of the men on base,’ giggled Josie. She straightened her face. ‘We’ve been saying how it would be nice to get off base for a bit, what do you reckon?’

Beth nodded gladly. ‘I could do with letting my hair down. When do you have in mind?’

Maude shrugged. ‘As soon as we can arrange for passes.’

Beth and Josie began to discuss different options for their evening out, whilst Maude sat, her chin on her knuckles, deep in thought. They had readily jumped to the conclusion of cabin fever, but there had to be more to it than that. She would wait until Olivia returned and see whether Beth was still giving their friend a wide berth.

Olivia knocked on the front door, noting how odd it felt to knock on the door which was once her home. As she waited, she half hoped that her father would not be there so that she wouldn’t have to confront her demons, but after a moment or so she heard light footsteps approaching the door and assumed it had to be Mavis.

The door opened a crack and an elderly lady peered through the gap. ‘Can I help you?’

Olivia nodded. ‘Is my father at home?’

The door opened further. ‘Sorry?’

‘My father?’ She held out a hand, ‘I’m Olivia Campbell.’

The door now fully opened and the old lady ushered her in. ‘Goodness me! I am sorry, Miss Campbell, I thought we were expecting you on Wednesday?’

Olivia nodded. ‘Change of plans. Is he here?’

The elderly maid gave a grim smile, one that was familiar to anyone who dealt with William Campbell. ‘He’s in his study, I’ll let him know you’re here.’

‘Thank you,’ said Olivia. ‘Is Mavis not around?’

‘Oh goodness me, no, she left to join the ATS. I’m Annie, her replacement.’

Olivia watched as the old woman made her way to the study. She wondered what else had changed in her absence. As she gazed around her, her eyes automatically focused on the door to her mother’s bedroom. Aigburth House was a considerable size; she was surprised her father hadn’t decided to move somewhere a little smaller, perhaps a nice flat or bungalow. Her heart skipped a beat as her father emerged from his study. He was walking a lot more slowly than she remembered, although he was still using the horrible cane which he had brought back from Scotland. She eyed the silver handle, thanking the powers that be that he hadn’t had it to hand the day she had run to Ted, because she might not be here today if he had.