The barmaid brought over the cutlery and condiments and placed them in the middle of the table. Hearing his words, there wasn’t a doubt in Olivia’s mind that he would tar her with the same brush if he knew her history, which was unfair. She had been so young at the time, and she had regretted her actions ever since, so much so that she hadn’t so much as kissed a man since, but she highly doubted that would matter to Ralph or his father. She had been so happy when he had asked her to join him, but whether he intended to take it further or not didn’t matter any more, because she knew she would have to reject any advances he made.

The woman bustled towards them carrying two plates, with a tea towel to protect her hands from the heat. She placed them on the table. ‘Mind out – those plates are hot,’ she warned.

Olivia looked at the delicious fare before her. ‘Do you know, this is the first pub meal I’ve had since leaving Liverpool?’

‘We’ll have to do something about that,’ said Ralph as he lightly shook the salt cellar over his food.

Olivia smiled, but inside she was kicking herself. One mistake, she thought, and I’m going to pay for it for the rest of my life. I could have had it made with Ralph, but there’s not a cat in hell’s chance I’m risking him finding out the truth, and seeing as I can’t lie to him forever, it looks as though it’s over before it even started.

Once they’d finished their meals, Ralph ordered them another round of drinks – ‘For the road,’ he told Olivia.

Olivia had steered the conversation to the war and its progression, something which Ralph was happy to give his opinion on. As the evening wore on, the topic of conversation turned to life before the war. Ralph spoke of his home life, and his failed relationship with his long-term girlfriend, who had cheated on him with another man. From Ralph’s description, the woman had sounded a dead ringer for Beth. This revelation made it clear to Olivia that Ralph’s dislike of women like Beth stemmed from his last relationship. This brought another thought to her attention. Ralph didn’t like cheats and that’s what he believed Beth to be, but Olivia wasn’t a cheat. Would he feel so badly if he knew the truth? Gazing into his sparkling blue eyes that shone with warmth, she thought it most likely that Ralph would forgive her past, especially when he knew she’d not been with a man since.

Ralph then turned the conversation towards Olivia’s home life. ‘I know you say you and your father are poles apart, but surely wartime might bring on a reconciliation?’