‘Fingers crossed it’s soon, because I’d really like to go and see Ted. Jess and Dana, too, for that matter, because those girls might just be the link to finding our daughter.’

‘Are you going to tell Ted? About them being twins, I mean?’

Olivia nodded. ‘I promised I’d keep him informed of any developments. He’ll be disappointed because we’d got used to the idea that Jess was our daughter, but Ted’s no quitter, and I know he won’t give up until we’ve found our baby.’

Olivia rang Ted later on that evening, and just as she had anticipated, it came as a low blow.

‘I was convinced,’ he said. ‘I knew I shouldn’t have got my hopes up, but I couldn’t help myself. I was positive Jess was ours – it all seemed to fit so perfectly into place.’

Olivia drew a deep breath. She hated having to break bad news over the telephone, but she couldn’t have left Ted thinking Jess was theirs. ‘We’ll just have to keep looking,’ she said. ‘The girls have said they’ll help in any way they can.’

‘That’s good to hear,’ said Ted. ‘They’ve got more connections than we have, so we’ll find our baby faster with them helping out.’

Olivia smiled. She knew Ted wouldn’t let her down.

The operator’s voice instructed them to replace the receiver.

‘Thanks for letting me know, Toff, and try to keep your chin up.’

‘You too,’ said Olivia. ‘I love you, Ted.’

She could hear the smile in his voice. ‘I love you too, my gorgeous girl.’

Chapter Eleven

With the air force deciding to stop using female balloon operators, Beth and Olivia had both retrained as drivers in the motor transport section, where they were transferred to RAF Stoney Cross in the New Forest.

It was on their second day at their new base that they awoke to the news of the Normandy invasion. ‘Why’s everyone running round like headless chickens?’ yawned Beth.

Olivia held a newspaper towards her friend. ‘See for yourself. I’m off for a wash, back in a mo.’

Beth read the headlines which dominated the front page: Our armies in France. Over 4000 invasion ships cross the channel … She scanned the lines below. ‘Blimey,’ she said under her breath. She laid the newspaper on her bed, slung her greatcoat around her shoulders, picked up her washbag and joined Olivia in the ablutions.

‘So that’s what all the fuss was about,’ she said to Olivia as she joined her by the sinks.

‘You can see why they kept it so hush-hush now,’ Olivia agreed. ‘Did you read it all? It looks like it’s been a huge success so far.’

Beth shook her head. ‘I’m a slower reader than you. By the time I’ve read that lot, I’ll have missed brekker.’