He gave her a quizzical look. ‘Is that the only reason?’

‘Of course not! You’ve been a good friend as well as an excellent teacher.’

Ralph continued smiling down at her. ‘How come nobody’s snapped you up?’

Olivia’s smile faded in an instant. Was he hinting that he wanted to snap her up for himself, or was he just being kind? She chastised herself inwardly. He’d soon change his opinion of her if he knew the truth behind her past. Used goods, that’s how her own father had described her. Not that she would ever let Ralph find out the truth. She thought about this. Here she was wishing for him to make his feelings clear, but what if he did? The truth would have to come out sooner or later, and that would never do. She glanced to where Maude had been sitting, but her seat was empty. Casting an eye around the room, she spied her friend dancing with another of the Waafs in their billet. Aware that she hadn’t answered the question, she glanced back at Ralph. ‘My mother was desperately ill, so I stayed at home to look after her.’ As the words left her lips she felt a warm glow invade her cheeks. It’s not so much that I’m lying to Ralph, she told herself, just being careful with the truth.

‘And you wondered what I saw in you?’ said Ralph softly. ‘I knew you were special, and this just proves it. Not many would be as selfless as you.’

Olivia felt the blush deepen. If Ralph really saw her in such a light, perhaps he could forgive a misguided mistake from her youth. She turned her attention back to the people dancing around them. If Ralph was the sort of man who valued personality over looks, then maybe, just maybe she was in with a chance.

July 1941

With the May Blitz far behind them, life at RAF Speke had begun to return to normal, or as normal as things could get considering most of the city lay in ruins.

Whenever any of the airmen had a moment to spare, they would go into the city and help with the clear-up. It was on one of these trips that Ted bumped into Mavis, the maid who had answered the door of the Campbells’ residence. He and a few of the others were clearing some debris from around one of the shops when he caught her reflection in the shattered glass. He hadn’t recognised her straight away, but as she came closer, the penny dropped.

He turned to face her. ‘Hello! Mind where you step, it’s still not safe.’

She looked at the half-collapsed building. ‘Thank God the Luftwaffe stopped when they did.’

He nodded. ‘Unlucky for Russia, but lucky for us!’ He eyed her awkwardly. ‘I hope I didn’t get you into too much trouble when I called round to see old Campbell.’