Olivia laughed. ‘Never turned down a meal in your life, have you, Ted?’

‘Silly thing to do with a war on,’ said Ted. ‘You have to be grateful for every morsel.’

They followed the guests to the café. When they arrived, Olivia helped herself to a cup of tea and surveyed the room, her eyes unfortunately settling on the old woman in the wheelchair who was staring at her with a fixed glare. ‘Oh heck,’ Olivia muttered under her breath as the old lady instructed her companion to wheel her over to Olivia. ‘Ted,’ she hissed from the corner of her mouth, ‘she’s recognised me, but I’ve still not got a clue who she is.’

Ted watched the woman, who was eyeing Olivia with suspicious intrigue. As she drew to a halt, the woman who had pushed her over gave them an apologetic smile.

‘Do I know you?’ asked the old lady accusingly.

Olivia shook her head. ‘I don’t think so.’

Narrowing her eyes, the woman stared at Olivia intently. ‘I never forget a face, and I’ve seen you somewhere before, I’d bet my life on it.’

Her companion leaned forward, her hand outstretched. ‘Hello, dear, you’ll have to excuse Auntie Edna. Once she gets an idea in her head she’s like a dog with a bone.’ She shook Olivia’s hand. ‘I’m Sylvie, Tom’s mam.’

Olivia smiled pleasantly at Sylvie. ‘Lovely to meet you, Sylvie. I’m Olivia, I’m a friend of the girls.’

Seeing realisation dawn on Sylvie’s face, it was plain to see the older woman knew who Olivia was. ‘How wonderful of you to come all this way! Our Jess talks highly of you, as does Dana.’

Olivia placed hand on Ted’s elbow. ‘This is my boyfriend, Ted Hewitt.’

Sylvie shook Ted’s hand. ‘You must go over and chat to the girls, they’ve been so excited about meeting you both.’

Grateful for any move that took Olivia away from the wheelchair-ridden woman, Ted led her over to where Jess and Dana were deep in conversation with a couple of girls around their own age.

‘Dana,’ said Jess, when she saw them, ‘this is Olivia and Ted.’

Turning, Dana clasped Olivia’s hand firmly in her own. ‘I’m sorry we didn’t have time to talk at the wedding. How are you both?’

Olivia smiled. ‘We’re very well, thanks, although we’ll be a lot better when this war is over and we can get on with our search.’

‘Have you had any more luck tracing your daughter?’ said Dana.

Olivia shook her head. ‘I’ve all but given up. I’m even beginning to think that Dad might have been telling the truth from the beginning.’

Jess and Dana instantly rallied. ‘Oh no, you mustn’t do that,’ they said in unison.