‘Indeed,’ said Olivia. She stifled a yawn with the back of her hand. ‘I’m ready for bed. Early start and all that.’

Maude stared intently at Olivia. ‘I’m off to the lavvy. Do you need to go before bed?’

Olivia shook her head. ‘I’m fine, thanks …’

Standing up, Maude whisked Olivia’s washbag out of her locker and pointed towards the ablutions. ‘You’ve not brushed your teeth, nor removed your make-up.’

Sighing heavily, Olivia bade Josie good night before following Maude to the ablutions. Once they were inside, Maude checked to make sure the cubicles were empty before speaking her thoughts. ‘What happened, Liv? You were keen on Ralph before, crowing about an evening out with him, and he even tried to kiss you, yet you turned him down? What’s it all about?’

Olivia relayed Ralph’s opinion on women like Beth word for word. ‘He thinks she’s a tart – what’s worse is I did too – yet we’re peas in a pod, only Beth didn’t get pregnant when she was fourteen, so if anything I’m more of a tart than her!’ She let out a gasp as Maude slapped the back of her hand.

‘Don’t you dare call yourself that!’ said Maude angrily.

Olivia grimaced. ‘That’s what Ralph would think if he knew the truth.’

Maude frowned. ‘Surely not? You were only kids, and like you say, you’ve only ever been with one man.’

Olivia wetted her flannel under the sink tap. ‘I hope you’re right, Maude, because I really like him.’

‘Then why in God’s name did you shun his attempt to kiss you?’ asked Maude incredulously.

‘Because I don’t like lying to people, and Ralph’s a good man who’s been badly hurt in the past.’ Olivia spoke thickly through her flannel as she ran it over her lips.

‘You’re not lying exactly,’ Maude said, ‘just omitting to tell the truth. You’d only be lying if he asked you outright and you denied it.’

Olivia regarded her friend uncertainly. ‘I think that might be stretching things a tad, Maude, but it doesn’t matter. He probably won’t want to see me after tonight.’

‘If he really likes you, then he will,’ Maude reassured her. ‘And if you want my opinion, you’re not doing anything wrong by not telling him about Ted. I bet lots of couples have skeletons in their closets which they don’t want their partner to find out about.’

Olivia briskly brushed her teeth. ‘Ralph’s going back to Pucklechurch tomorrow, where he’ll most likely meet another woman, so I’m probably fussing over nothing.’

‘Wait and see,’ said Maude.