With his back to the station, Giles took a deep breath and took one last lingering look at his adopted hometown. It was market day and people were milling everywhere. He had always loved the market, especially the cattle market, and he would miss wandering about the stalls heaving with livestock. He had said his goodbyes to the family back at Treetops, insisting they didn’t need to accompany him to the station, but now he was wishing he had allowed his grandfather to come with him. It was clear he wasn’t the only one leaving to join the war. Young men were standing about surrounded by weeping mothers, sisters, wives and girlfriends, and turning about Giles kept his eyes trained straight ahead as he moved purposefully towards the platform, suddenly feeling very lonely. And then a figure caught his eye and his steps slowed before she turned and saw him.

‘Livvy!’ Giles couldn’t keep the surprise from his voice as he came abreast of her.

She smiled to hide her embarrassment. Suddenly she wondered if this had been such a good idea after all. She didn’t even know what had prompted her to come but she supposed that now she was here she may as well make the best of it.

‘I, er … didn’t get chance to say goodbye last night so being as I had to pop out on an errand from the office, I thought I’d call by to wish you all the best.’

‘I see … thank you. It was good of you to think of me.’ They faced each other, each looking decidedly uncomfortable and neither of them quite knowing what to say.

‘So, will you be getting leave during your training?’ It was Livvy who broke the silence.

He shrugged. ‘I’m not sure, to be honest, but I shall certainly do my best to.’ They were standing in the sunshine on the platform and he noticed the way it had turned her hair to liquid gold. And those eyes – they reminded him of the colour of the bluebells in the woods in the spring. It was funny, he’d never noticed how pretty she was before, he thought, but then they had always seemed to be at cross purposes so perhaps he just hadn’t taken much notice.

A shrill whistle in the distance heralded the approach of the train and suddenly they were surrounded by people all clinging to each other and saying their tearful goodbyes.

‘This is it then.’ She looked at him levelly, at a loss for words again and he nodded as the train came into view further along the track.

‘Yes … this is it.’

‘You, er … just take good care of yourself and I’ll look forward to seeing you when you come home on leave.’