Olivia also glanced at her father. ‘I don’t like the thought of knocking around in that house on my own all day. I’ll only dwell on Mum and what should have been.’

Nana pulled a face. ‘Why not come and stay with Pops and me? Goodness only knows we’ve always wanted to spend more time with you, and this will be the perfect opportunity before you go off – if that’s what you decide to do, of course.’

Olivia stopped walking and turned to face her grandmother. ‘Do you really think they’d want me?’ She glanced down at her ample figure. ‘I’m not exactly in peak condition.’

‘They’d be grateful to have a smart woman like yourself in the ranks,’ her grandmother retorted. ‘As for being in peak condition, that’s what they’re there for, to whip you into shape. No one goes into the forces the same way they come out.’

A glint of hope entered Olivia’s eye. ‘You really think they’ll have me?’

Nana nodded assuredly. ‘As sure as eggs are eggs, they’d be mad not to.’

‘And can I really stay with you, or do you need to ask Pops first?’

Her grandmother squeezed her hand. ‘Your grandfather might wear the trousers in our house, but it’s me that runs it! Besides, he dotes on you, you know he does. He’ll be made up when he hears we’ve a house guest.’

Feeling more confident, Olivia turned back to meet her father. ‘Can I have a word?’

William nodded curtly.

‘I’ve been talking with Nana and we’ve both agreed that I’ll be very lonely in the house with you out at work all day, so she’s very kindly offered to let me stay with her and Pops for a while, until I make up my mind what I want to do with myself.’

Her father gave her grandmother a look of contempt. ‘Has she now? Well, don’t you mind me, I’m sure I’ll be able to cope on my own,’ he said stiffly.

Olivia smiled uncertainly. She hadn’t been expecting him to object, even if it was in a roundabout way. She thought she might as well lay her cards on the table. ‘I’m thinking about applying for the services – that way I’ll be out from under your feet and I’ll be able to support myself. What do you think?’

He shrugged in a dismissive manner. ‘I’m sure it doesn’t matter what I think, Olivia. You’re a grown woman who can think for herself – apparently,’ he added in a sulky undertone.

Olivia walked on in silence whilst she tried to work out her father’s mood. When her mother had been alive, he had continually made snide comments aimed at Olivia’s reluctance to leave home, so why on earth was he objecting now? She looked at him to see if he was going to add anything else to the conversation, but his mouth was firmly closed. Apparently he had no more to say on the matter. Unable to read his thoughts, she continued, ‘Would it be all right if I left today?’