Joyce smiled. ‘And whilst we’re at it, you can tell me all about your trip to Lincoln.’

They entered the cottage where they saw a young woman with her back to them. As she turned to face them, Roz’s jaw practically dropped on the spot.

‘Adele!’ she cried, before dropping her rucksack to the floor and running across the short space and enveloping her friend in a hearty embrace. ‘What on earth are you doing here …’ she began, before remembering Helen’s words. Thrusting her friend away from her, she studied her face carefully, searching for any signs of distress or discontent, but Adele was beaming back at her.

‘You inspired me to join up! I couldn’t believe it when I got my posting; I was going to write but then I thought it far better to surprise you.’ She looked at Joyce, ‘I know Roz, so I’m assuming you must be Joyce?’

Joyce nodded. ‘Guilty as charged.’ She cast a glance between the two women. ‘Obviously you two know each other, but how?’

Tucking her arm into the crook of Adele’s elbow, Roz explained how Adele had escaped Germany on the Kindertransport with her and Felix, and that they’d all stayed together in Dovercourt.

‘I was the first to leave,’ said Roz, ‘then Adele went to Norwich, and Felix of course came to Liverpool.’

‘How is he?’ said Adele.

Roz was beaming from ear to ear. ‘You’d best take a seat whilst I explain everything.’ She nodded at Joyce. ‘I’ll fill you in on my trip whilst I’m at it.’

The three women sat round the table as Roz regaled them with tales of boat rides and trips around Lincoln. When she had finished, she fixed Adele with an inquisitive gaze. ‘Now I’ve finished filling you in with the details of my trip, how about you tell me what you know? Have you met Bernie yet?’

‘The drop-dead gorgeous farmer? I should say so!’ chuckled Adele. ‘What a corker!’

‘He certainly is,’ agreed Joyce, ‘and what’s more he’s got the hots for our Roz here. Question is, who will she choose? Felix or Bernie?’

‘Decisions, decisions,’ Adele laughed sarcastically. ‘Two gorgeous fellers vying for my attention! I wish I had your problems!’

Giving her friend a playful swipe, Roz tried to swallow her grin, as the other two sat on the edge of their seats with anticipatory excitement. ‘Well?’ said Joyce. ‘Don’t keep us in suspenders!’

‘Felix!’ cried Roz, to the others’ delight. ‘I knew it from the moment I saw him. How on earth I could ever have doubted my feelings for him is beyond me.’

‘Does Felix know you had your doubts?’ asked Joyce.