Love knows no rules or regulations, no rations and blackouts, curfews and call-ups. In the cosy darkness of their straw bed they nuzzled each other tenderly enjoying this new way of loving. For these few days they owned the world. Once their notice to marry was placed with the Registrar, they crossed the border to lodgings near Carlisle and tried to order a wedding ring but there were none to be had.

As they were both Scots born, residents and over sixteen, a wedding without parental consent would be straightforward so long as Rae managed to scrounge enough time to ride over from his barracks for the second ceremony.

To Netta their real marriage had been the vows in the blacksmith’s smiddy but the telegram to Brigg Farm saying: ‘Corporal and Mrs Rae Hunter send greetings from Gretna Green!’ must wait until later. No news of this elopement would be divulged to Stratharvar ears. Heaven only knew what lay ahead when she returned home. All that mattered now were the promises they had vowed one to the other: vows to last a lifetime. The certificate could come later. It was only a formality after all.

Summer 1944

It rained all the way home from the station, and being a Sunday there were no familiar vehicles trundling up the coast road from Kirkcudbright so it was shanks’s pony all the way home. Netta stood under the lean-to like a drowned rat, not sure whether her return warranted ringing the front door bell. Better to press it and wait. But what if they barred the door on her? The drips from her felt hat plopped on to the end of her nose and her mac felt limp and sodden.

Peg stood back at the sight of the soaking girl. ‘Look what the tide’s washed in, Angus… So you’ve come back, have you, now the deed is done? I don’t know what you think yer playin’ at my girl. You gave us the fright of our lives, running off like that. Yer faither’s fair off his head with worry, just a note – is that all he’s worth, after all he’s done for you over the years? I don’t know how you’ve got the cheek to stroll back here! What dae you think people will think when we tell them you ran away with a sojer? One that hasnae even the guts to stand and face the music at yer side! Oh, Nettie, I’m ashamed of you.’

‘Rae wanted to come and explain, honest, but his leave was up. He’ll come next week after…’ Netta stopped herself. No one must know about their blunder or why he must return. ‘We’re going to Dumfries to get the wedding ring we ordered. It didn’t come in time,’ she lied. ‘Am I allowed in the now or shall I walk back to the station?’