It’s funny, I remember how oddly cheerful they were in that moment, in that hot waiting room in the Duchess of Windsor’s clinic, how confident the Duke of Windsor was going to make everything better, was going to right all of history’s wrongs and begin a new chapter in the story of race relations in the Bahamas, and maybe the whole world. There had been some wonderful speech by one of the Negro leaders, made right there in the Government House annex before the duke himself, the day after the riot on Bay Street—had I heard about it? This man, he had said everything that was in the hearts of the black and colored folks in these islands, he had actually said in thunderous voice to the royal Duke of Windsor, former king of the British Empire and its dominions, Art thou He that cometh, or look we for another? And the duke had nodded to that. Had nodded and smiled. Oh, things was going to change, Mrs. Randolph.

On the way home, Wallis told me she was thinking of starting up a canteen for all the enlisted men due to descend on Nassau, British and American and dominion, once the airfields were completed.

“Aren’t the Daughters of Empire setting one up already?” I said. “Down on Bay Street, near the British Colonial. You can’t miss it.”

Wallis’s face turned a little stony. “And I’m sure it’s a worthy endeavor. But it’s teetotal, you know, and what red-blooded airman is going to hang about a canteen that doesn’t serve beer? And if those boys aren’t gathering in the canteen in a civilized atmosphere, they’ll be causing trouble in the streets and the nightclubs.”

“Fair point,” I said.

“I’ve already spoken to Fred Sigrist. That club of his out by Cable Beach, that would be perfect. It’s empty now that the American tourists have fled home. It’s a bit shabby, but we can fix it up. Can’t we, Miss Drewes?”

Miss Drewes glanced up. “The canteen? I think it’s a swell idea. You’ve got such a terrific knack for decoration and entertaining, Your Royal Highness. I’d say it’s right up your alley.”

“We’ll knock the socks off that Daughters of Empire joint,” Wallis said viciously. Then she gathered herself. “Morale is so important, after all, absolutely vital. I’ve worked it all out. I know this fellow at the American army base in Miami, he’ll help me with Lend Lease supplies. Real ham and bacon and eggs. I’m going to take such a personal role. I think it would cheer the men a great deal to have the Duchess of Windsor frying up their eggs to order, don’t you?”

“I can just see it,” I said.