‘I was pretty sure you – and Danny – would join up after Dunkirk. Not only did I find out that you had, but also where you went for your training and that you’d ended up as an MT driver and with a special recommendation for promotion from your instructor,’ he added, teasing gently. ‘So – I made the right contacts and got you posted here as my personal driver.’

Kate gasped aloud. ‘Goodness. Just like that.’

He pulled a face. ‘Not really. I had to do a lot of string-pulling. But it worked.’ His face clouded momentarily and he leaned towards her. ‘You don’t – mind?’ he asked, suddenly boyish in his anxiety.

Before she could answer, there was a knock at the door and a corporal entered carrying a tray with two cups of tea on it, a small milk jug and sugar bowl. He set it down on the desk and retreated.

The very new station commander was still looking anxiously at his even newer driver. ‘Do you mind?’ he repeated the moment the door had closed behind the corporal.

‘Of course not,’ Kate reassured him swiftly. ‘I’m really very grateful.’ She smiled mischievously as she added, ‘I’ve already been told by a WAAF officer that it is a very important posting and she hopes I’m up to it!’

Now he laughed aloud as he handed her a cup of tea. ‘Oh, you’ll be up to it all right, Kate Hilton. There’s no doubt about that, and I’m recommending you be made up to Leading Aircraftswoman with immediate effect.’ His smile broadened. ‘Promotion can come amazingly quickly sometimes!’

‘Thank you,’ she whispered, touched by his faith in her.

Then his face sobered. ‘There is just something we must get straight, though . . .’

Kate nodded and, trying to lessen any embarrassment he might feel considering the debt of gratitude he owed her, she said, ‘I know – this is the last time we can talk like this. In future we must be – well – official.’

A look of surprise flitted across his face. ‘Oh, I hope not, Kate. No, what I was going to say was that on duty and in front of others, yes, we must be “official” as you put it.’ The smile lit his face again, ‘But I hope that in private we can still continue to be friends.’

‘Well, if you’re sure it won’t compromise your position in any way.’

‘It won’t trouble me. After all,’ he puffed out his chest with mock pride, ‘I am the new Station Commander. My word is law!’

Kate laughed, but he said quietly and more seriously now, ‘No, Kate, all joking apart, it’s you who could be compromised, and I wouldn’t want that.’