‘I’ll make them,’ Nancy offered, knowing where everything was. She turned her back and went to the little cupboard that was almost in darkness in the corner of the room, fetching three mismatched glasses and the silver shaker. Carefully she mixed the drinks the way she had seen Gloria do it, adding a twist of lemon. She concentrated hard, not wanting to drop the glasses, which looked as if they were high-quality cut crystal, and tuned out the low buzz of idle conversation between Gary and her friend. This was the height of sophistication, she decided, as she took back two glasses and then returned for her own.

‘Cheers, Gloria,’ she said, thinking she’d never been happier.

Gary’s eyes twinkled. ‘To the two most beautiful ladies in Liverpool,’ he said, and Nancy laughed affectionately at him.

‘You’re very kind,’ Gloria said gracefully. ‘Nancy’s told me so much about you. You’ve just got back from France, haven’t you?’

‘He’s been so brave,’ Nancy couldn’t resist saying. ‘He led his boys on Omaha Beach, and he’s been fighting ever since.’

‘Me and many thousands of others,’ Gary pointed out. ‘Yeah, it wasn’t a pretty business but we did what we had to do. We didn’t come all the way over here for a tea party; we knew what we were in for.’

‘Well, we’re very glad you did,’ said Gloria, serious now. ‘Without you GIs we’d be in a whole lot of trouble. As it is, it looks as if things are going our way at last.’

‘To victory,’ said Gary boldly, raising his glass. ‘It’s within our grasp at last, ladies.’

Nancy gazed at him with adoration. He was her hero and she would deny him nothing. She waited until he had finished his drink and then said, ‘Gloria, you must be tired after your long evening.’

Gloria took the hint. ‘Just a little, maybe. Don’t let me keep you, Nancy. It’s been lovely meeting you, Gary.’ She smiled once more as the handsome soldier held Nancy’s coat for her and then held the door open.

‘It’s been swell talking to you,’ he said.

‘And you,’ said Gloria. As Gary moved to leave, she quickly took hold of Nancy and gave her a hug. ‘Remember, be careful,’ she whispered in her friend’s ear.

Nancy tapped her playfully on the shoulder as she broke away. ‘Of course. See you when you’re next in town, Glor.’