He nodded in a carefree manner. ‘Not too bad, but you know how it is, changing trains every other station – as long as you know which station’s which, of course.’ He chuckled softly. ‘I got off at the wrong stop twice. I think it’s silly painting out the signs, when all you have to do is ask the guard where you are.’

‘Ahh,’ said Olivia knowingly, ‘but if you had a German accent he wouldn’t give you the answer!’

‘No pulling the wool over their eyes, eh?’ laughed Ted, and instinctively went to take Olivia’s hand in his before checking himself. He quickly apologised. ‘Old habits die hard, eh?’

Olivia smiled. This was precisely what she had been talking about with Maude and Josie – being with Ted was like sliding on a pair of comfortable slippers. ‘Do you think that’s what we are? An old habit?’

He ran a hand over the back of his neck. ‘I don’t know, Toff. I suppose only time will tell.’ He shot her a sidelong glance. ‘Does Ralph know I’m here?’

Olivia swallowed. ‘I thought it best not to worry him, and I didn’t fancy explaining my past in case he didn’t understand.’

Ted looked at her curiously. ‘You mean he doesn’t know you’ve had a baby?’

She shook her head, her eyes growing wide at the very idea. ‘Gosh, no, he’s very opinionated on those kinds of matters. He doesn’t even like it if a woman’s a bit vocal, he thinks it brassy.’

Ted pulled a face. ‘He sounds a bit like your father.’

Olivia opened her mouth to rebut the idea, but when she thought about it, she supposed Ted was right – Ralph was very judgemental, just like her father. A slight line creased her brow. How on earth had she got so close to someone like her father without realising it?

As they left the station Olivia told Ted what had happened to their child. She watched his face as she relayed the information. She could see the hurt her news was causing him.

‘What the hell’s wrong with him?’ spluttered Ted. ‘I’ve never known anyone tell so many lies.’

‘Unfortunately, this time he’s telling the truth,’ Olivia said miserably. ‘I’m so sorry, Ted. You must wish I’d stayed in my garden and allowed you to pass by all those years ago.’

‘Don’t be daft. I looked forward to our meetings; it was a little ray of sunshine in an otherwise dull and cloudy life.’

‘But the trouble and heartache I’ve caused,’ Olivia insisted. ‘You and your dad had to leave your home, your jobs, your friends and family – how can that have been worth it?’

Ted turned to face her. ‘Because I met you, you goose, and that meant more to me than the rest of it put together. The only regret I have is letting you go home that day, because had you stayed with me, things would have been very different.’