‘I’d rather not go into it and I expect she feels silly, and when all’s said and done, she can’t change the past. What’s the point of worrying when she’s already gone?’

‘Only she hasn’t gone anywhere,’ sighed Olivia, ‘because she got refused.’

‘Why didn’t you tell me that before?’ said Ralph, clearly annoyed. ‘I’d never have opened my mouth had I known she was still in Shirehampton.’

Olivia frowned. ‘What does it matter if she’s still here?’

Ralph appeared to falter before answering. ‘Because you’ve got to live with her knowing the truth, which isn’t going to be easy, and I daresay you won’t be able to leave sleeping dogs lie.’ He tutted loudly. ‘Honestly, Liv, talk about giving someone half a story!’

‘Like what you’ve given me, you mean?’ said Olivia sulkily. ‘I don’t even know what she did.’

‘Just as well, given the circumstances,’ said Ralph petulantly.

Olivia was confused. Why was Ralph annoyed with her? Surely she should be annoyed with him for not warning her about Beth’s indiscretion, whatever that might be. She said as much.

‘I didn’t tell you because I didn’t think it worth mentioning,’ said Ralph. ‘Are you saying you tell me everything?’

An image of Ted flashed into Olivia’s conscience. Guilt swamped her and she spoke as truthfully as she could. ‘If one of your friends had acted inappropriately with me, I’d tell you straight away.’

‘There’s no point in arguing the whys and wherefores,’ said Ralph testily. ‘What’s done is done – we can’t all be as perfect as Saint Liv.’

‘There’s no need to be rude,’ said Olivia. ‘I really can’t see what I’ve done that’s so wrong.’

‘Evidently,’ snapped Ralph. He paused, and when he spoke next he sounded tired. ‘You’re making a lot of fuss, for someone who refuses to become my girl. Perhaps this might be the push you need to make up your mind about what you want.’ He sighed heavily. ‘It’s been a long day and there’s a queue a mile long waiting to use the phone, so if you don’t mind I’ll be getting off.’

Unable to think of a response that wouldn’t cause conflict, Olivia said goodbye. She walked back to Maude and Josie.

‘Well?’ said Josie as Olivia sat down on a chair. She relayed the gist of the telephone conversation.

‘I reckon he knows he should’ve said summat and he feels guilty, so he’s trying to lay the blame on you,’ said Josie.

‘I don’t know,’ said Olivia quietly. ‘There’s something he’s not telling me. He was reasonable until he found out that Beth had been denied her request for a transfer, but after he knew that he got really upset, saying that I should have told him that first, because he wouldn’t have said anything if I’d done so.’

Maude sat forward. ‘That is odd. What’s Beth’s whereabouts got to do with the price of fish?’

‘Did he think she’d already left base?’ asked Josie thoughtfully.

Olivia nodded. ‘Definitely. Why?’