Olivia cursed inwardly. She could hardly walk away now. Taking the proffered seat, she shook his hand. ‘ACW Campbell and this is my pal ACW Harris.’ Wishing wholeheartedly that she hadn’t bothered going to the NAAFI for something to eat, she glanced around, half expecting to see a few sniggering airmen, but it appeared Corporal Stebbins was the only man in the room.

Ralph indicated the empty plate in front of him. ‘The grub’s not bad here.’ He twinkled at her from across the table. ‘What made you volunteer?’

‘We wanted to get out from behind the scenes,’ said Olivia. ‘See a bit of action.’

He nodded slowly. ‘Then you’ve come to the right place. We’re the first form of defence in an air raid, so you’ll definitely see a lot more than you would stuck behind a sewing machine. But I have to warn you, it’s not easy – as you’ll soon find out.’ He gave her a wink so fleeting that Olivia wasn’t sure whether she’d imagined it.

She had no idea whether the corporal was being genuine or not, but as long as she didn’t fall for the bait, it didn’t really matter. ‘We’re up for a challenge, aren’t we, Maude?’

‘Wouldn’t be here otherwise,’ Maude agreed. She glanced around the cookhouse. ‘What’s the social life like?’

A shadow of a smile appeared on Ralph’s lips as he glanced at Olivia. ‘The NAAFI hold a dance once a week, but it’s not been much cop, although I’m hoping it’s going to get a whole lot better.’ He twinkled again at Olivia. ‘Do you go dancing much?’

‘No,’ Olivia said bluntly. ‘But when we do, we go off base.’ She was praying that the handsome corporal wasn’t going to suggest that she and Maude attend a NAAFI dance, because she didn’t wish to offend him if his motives were innocent.

He eyed her inquisitively. ‘Oh? Is the NAAFI not good enough for you?’

Olivia shot him an icy glance. ‘I never said there was anything wrong with the NAAFI. I prefer to keep work and pleasure separate.’

He smiled warmly at her, melting her icy façade. ‘That’s a shame, because I think it’s important that new recruits attend the dances on base. It’s a good way to get to know everyone, which is imperative when you’re working as a team.’ He glanced at the clock above the door and stood up. ‘Well, much as I’d like to, I can’t sit around chatting. I’ll see you both in the morning.’ He touched his cap and Olivia and Maude wished him good night.

Maude waited until the corporal had left the building before nudging Olivia. ‘Someone’s got their eye on you! He wasn’t even put off when you were shooting him daggers.’ She giggled. ‘Teacher’s pet!’