There was much laughter and chatting as the jeep bounded along the rough country lanes and more than once Livvy would have ended up on the floor had it not been for Giles placing a steadying arm across her. But then at last they were there, and the jeep stopped to let them out as the driver promised to pick them all up later that evening. Most of the people shot off, leaving Livvy and Giles to trail behind.

‘So where do you suggest?’ he asked. ‘Don’t forget this place is new to me.’

‘We usually wind up in the Lion and Snake in the High Street,’ she answered. ‘There’s often a bit of a sing-song and a knees-up going on in there. The High Street’s quite close to the cathedral.’

‘Then the Lion and Snake it is.’ He grinned and gallantly crooked his arm with a theatrical little bow and after a moment’s hesitation she slid her hand through it, and they walked on. It was quite dark as all the streetlamps were out and the windows of the houses they passed were covered in blackout curtains, but thankfully Livvy knew her way about quite well by then and soon the sound of people having a good time in the pub reached them.

‘So, what will it be then?’ Giles asked as they pushed their way to the bar. There were a lot of RAF personnel in there and they called greetings.

‘I’ll have a gin and tonic please. And while you get those I’ll go and see if I can find us a table. But I’ll get the next round in, mind.’

He shook his head and grinned as she pushed her way back through the crowd, noting the way her hair shone gold in the dim lights. He had thought her pretty when they had both been at Treetops but since then she had grown into a very beautiful young woman. She didn’t seem quite so cutting either, which was something to be grateful for. Perhaps she was finally forgiving him for living in her former home?

Minutes later he shuffled back, balancing their drinks precariously.

‘That hits the spot,’ he said approvingly as he lit a cigarette and took a long swig of his beer. ‘I was ready for that, but now tell me, have you had any leave lately?’

‘Not for some time but I’m due a forty-eight-hour pass next month. What about you?’

‘Same here.’ His face became serious. ‘We’ve lost four of our pilots over the last month and, until some more join us, there’s not much chance of getting any time off at all. Still, remember me to my grandad and everyone there when you go.’

‘Of course.’ They started to chat and before they knew it people were standing to leave.