She was halfway to the ablutions when Maude arrived at her side. ‘Ignore them, Liv. They’re vile, spiteful bullies who should be reported …’

‘No!’ said Olivia abruptly. ‘It’ll just make things worse.’

‘You can’t let them get away with that,’ Maude protested.

But Olivia was adamant. ‘They, or rather he, didn’t get away with anything. I should imagine he’ll be wearing my handprint on his face for the rest of the evening, which should raise a few questions, not that he’ll tell the truth.’

‘Serves him right,’ muttered Maude, who was feeling guilty for encouraging Olivia to accept the man’s invitation.

‘I hope he doesn’t report me,’ Olivia said bitterly.

Maude’s brow shot towards her hairline. ‘Him report you?’

Olivia nodded. ‘Didn’t you see his stripes? He’s a corporal, Maude. I shouldn’t have slapped him.’

‘But he was being horrible …’ Maude began, only to fall silent as Olivia continued to shake her head.

‘Sticks and stones,’ said Olivia, adding, ‘and he’s a man, they stick up for each other, so there’s no point in reporting him. It’ll be his word against mine, and no one will believe me. Sorry, Maude, but I’ve already gone through enough humiliation for one evening.’

Maude placed an arm around Olivia’s shoulders. ‘I’m sorry he was so horrible. Had I known what his intentions were, I never would have encouraged you to say yes.’

Olivia shrugged. ‘It’s my own fault.’ She gave a mirthless laugh. ‘I should have known better. They’re all the same – one look at me and they think I’m easy.’

A wrinkle creased Maude’s brow. ‘I’m sure that’s not true.’

Olivia shook her head. ‘It is, trust me.’

Confused as to why her friend would think such a thing, Maude pressed her for more information. ‘Why would they think you’re easy? It doesn’t make sense.’

‘They assume I must be desperate.’ Olivia shook her head. ‘Just ignore me.’

But Maude was a true friend, and if something was bothering her pal, she was determined to get to the bottom of it. ‘I will not ignore you, Liv. There’s obviously a reason why you’d think such a thing. Has someone said something to make you think like that – an old boyfriend, perhaps?’

Olivia stared mutely at her feet.

After a little more thought, Maude had another guess. ‘Your father?’

Olivia’s gaze flicked up to meet Maude’s.

‘Well, I wouldn’t listen to him. Was it over a boy?’

Olivia nodded slowly.

Maude shook her head. ‘Your father’s an old fuddy-duddy if he thinks a kiss and cuddle makes you easy. It’s not as if he got you in the family way …’

Olivia’s silence spoke volumes.