By the time Maude had managed this, the rest of the class had gone, apart from Olivia, who gave her friend a small, quiet round of applause. Officer Haughton smothered a yawn behind his hand before dismissing them.

As they left the room, Maude turned to Olivia. ‘When Haughton asked me to stand up in front of everyone, I wanted the earth to swallow me up, because I knew I hadn’t a cat in hell’s chance of getting it right, but perhaps it was for the best, because I’m a dab hand now.’

‘I think you did us all a favour. None of us were getting it right, and I’m sure some of the girls were peeping through their lashes.’

Maude’s eyes rounded. ‘I don’t think I’d have dared do that in case Haughton caught me!’ She glanced towards the NAAFI. ‘How about we go to the dance later?’ Seeing the doubtful look on Olivia’s face, she quickly added, ‘Oh, please say yes! I don’t like going without you, and I know you say you’re a bit rusty, but you’ll soon get into the swing of things …’ She eyed her friend eagerly. ‘Please?’

Olivia had been standing with her arms folded across her chest, but seeing the hopeful look on Maude’s face, she relented. ‘As long as I don’t have to dance with any men!’

Maude gave a whoop of joy. She knew why Olivia didn’t want to dance with any of the men, but she felt that the men on their base were very different from the ones in the queue outside the town hall that day. Not that Olivia agreed.

‘They’re all pigs and that’s all there is to it’ had been her reply when Maude had broached the subject.

Later that evening, Maude threaded her arm through Olivia’s as they approached the doors to the NAAFI. ‘Let’s go and show them how it’s done, shall we?’

Olivia beamed. ‘I must say, I’m rather looking forward to this. I used to dance a lot with my mother, before she became too ill that is.’ She pushed open the door to the NAAFI. ‘If a tune came on the wireless, Mum would call out for me to come and join her, and as soon as I arrived she would take me in her arms and dance me around the living room, saying that it was good practice for the day I met my Prince Charming, but that was ever such a long time ago. I hope I can remember the steps.’

‘You’ll soon get the hang of it,’ said Maude as she led the way to the counter.