‘Poor bugger,’ George said feelingly as they sat down to a breakfast that none of them really wanted the next morning. ‘I know all our brood have flown the nest now and are scattered far and wide, but I’d be heartbroken if anythin’ were to happen to any of ’em. An’ Giles was all John had, his only grandson. It’s no wonder he’s taken it so hard.’

They all nodded in agreement as they sat thinking of the handsome young man they might never see again. Edith, especially, was unnaturally quiet, for besides having the terrible of news of Giles and what had happened to John to contend with, she also had another concern now. God forbid if anything should happen to John, she might no longer have a stable home to offer to Peggy and she was terrified this might affect her chances of adopting the child. But all they could do was pray that John would recover; although deep down they knew that even if he did, he would never get over this terrible loss.

‘Look sharp, Livvy,’ the young WAAF who occupied the bed next to Livvy warned. ‘The officer will be here any minute for kit inspection and we all know what a tartar she is.’

Livvy finished polishing the shiny brass buttons on her jacket and slipped it on, then checking that everything was neat and tidy in her locker and the bed was made just so, she went to stand to attention at the end of her bed.

The officer appeared minutes later and after she had finished her inspection, she paused in front of Livvy. ‘Come to my office in ten minutes, Branning.’

‘Yes, ma’am.’ Livvy saluted smartly and once the officer had gone the girls breathed a sigh of relief.

‘Phew,’ Gilly Morris said as she tugged at her tie. ‘I’m glad that’s over, but I wonder why she wants to see you, Livvy?’

Livvy shrugged. She had lived in a fog of despair since Giles had been lost and didn’t really care.

‘Can you think of anything you might have done wrong?’ Gilly persisted and Livvy shook her head.

‘Not off hand, though I dare say I haven’t been concentrating quite as much as I should have since …’ Her voice trailed away, and the others glanced at each other meaningfully. They were all aware of her connection to Giles and had seen how his failure to return to base had affected her.

‘Well, I shouldn’t worry,’ one of the other WAAFs piped up encouragingly. ‘Everyone knows that you’re one of the best radio operatives there is here.’

Livvy managed a little smile before setting off to find out what the officer wanted her for.

Soon she was standing to attention in front of the woman’s desk.

‘Stand easy, Branning.’