‘Well, there’s no need to feel a heel. I’m a big girl. I knew you were married but it doesn’t take a genius to see you’re not exactly happy, or presumably your wife – and children if you have any – would be here with you, living in the CO’s house.’

‘You – don’t know it all then? You don’t know about my – daughter?’

‘No, I don’t know anything other than that you are married.’

He looked down at her hand, still resting quietly in his, then he raised it again and held it against his cheek.

‘I must tell you . . .’

‘You don’t have to,’ she cut in quickly.

‘I – want to,’ he said firmly. He was thoughtful for a long moment and then he began to tell her about his life before he had known her.

‘I’m from a Forces family and so is my wife. My father was a Brigadier in the last war. Of course, he wanted me to join his old regiment and he was rather cut up when I opted for the youngest service, even though I decided to make a career in the RAF. My wife too was from a long line of serving officers and our parents were friends – still are, which makes it all the more difficult. Grace and I were thrown together and soon it became expected that we should marry. I think both of us got caught up in it and carried along without making any conscious decision for ourselves. I was – still am – very fond of Grace and never wanted to hurt her . . .’ He hesitated and then began again on a different tack. ‘We have a daughter, Lizzie. She – she was born with serious physical handicaps and the prognosis is that she won’t reach her teens.’

‘Oh, Philip!’ Kate whispered, and tears filled her eyes.

‘Grace has devoted her life to the child, whereas I – well – I can’t do very much, not unless I leave the RAF and devote myself to her in the same way. But Grace’s devotion has become almost an obsession. I think her own mother has filled her mind with the thought that the abnormalities must come from my side, when in truth I don’t think there’s blame to be attached to either of us. It just – happened.’

The words came unbidden to Kate’s lips and were voiced before she really realized she was saying them. ‘Some people find it easier to deal with life’s cruelties if they can find someone to blame.’ She heard the words almost as if someone else were speaking them.

‘I suppose so,’ Philip said heavily. ‘Grace’s mother moved in with us and sort of – took over.’

‘And pushed you out and the more distant you became, the more they blamed you.’

He looked at her wonderingly. ‘You do understand, don’t you?’

She said nothing but gave his hand a little squeeze.