‘But my father would never have stood for it. He’d have thrown you out and …’

‘And you’d have come to Plymouth with me,’ said Ted determinedly.

Olivia smiled up at him. ‘My mum, Ted, you’re forgetting about her. I could never have left her – never mind the fact I was underage. My father would have sent for the police, and had you and your father accused of kidnap.’

‘I suppose you’re right. It seems so easy, but in reality it would never have worked.’ He looked at her wedding finger. ‘How come you never married, or did you?’

She shook her head. ‘I practically lived like an old maid, looking after Mum because Dad was always working. By the time she passed on, war had broken out and I could finally escape my father.’

‘Gosh,’ said Ted, ‘a double-edged sword, then?’

She nodded. ‘Dreadful because I lost my mum, but elating because I could finally leave home.’

‘And this Ralph?’ Ted asked cautiously. ‘You said in Liverpool that he’s an important friend, but how important?’

‘Very, or he was,’ said Olivia, ‘but now I’m not so sure – no prizes for guessing why.’

A slow smile spread across Ted’s cheeks. ‘Because of me?’

‘Seeing you has reminded me of what we had, how we felt for each other …’

‘Me too,’ said Ted. ‘If I’m honest, the thought of seeing you again gave me the courage to end an unhappy marriage.’ He smiled. ‘I knew you’d never have treated me the way Isobel did, you were never bothered about money.’

‘If there’s one thing my father taught me, it’s that money means nothing if you don’t have love. I hope he learns that one day.’

They were both quiet for a moment, then Ted spoke up. ‘I’m just thinking about our baby. When someone’s cremated I believe their ashes are scattered in a certain area, a bit like a plot. Couldn’t we go to the crematorium to pay our respects?’

Olivia turned to look at him, her eyes sparkling with hope. ‘Of course we could. I was so angry with my dad I hadn’t even thought of that.’

‘All we have to do is find out the name of the crematorium …’ said Ted.

She shook her head. ‘If you’re asking me to ask my father, then I’m afraid the answer’s no. I told him I never wanted to see him again and I meant it. However, I should imagine there’s only one crematorium in Glasgow, and even if there’s more than one, they’ll have records, they have to by law.’

‘Then are we agreed?’

Olivia nodded. ‘I shall make some enquiries.’ She rolled her eyes. ‘It was hard enough travelling from Shirehampton to Liverpool – I dread to think what it will be like going to Glasgow!’

‘At least we’ll have each other for company,’ said Ted.

Gazing into Ted’s twinkling blue eyes, Olivia realised she was going to have to have a serious chat with Ralph, and the sooner the better.