Then he’d suffered a very strange mix of emotions at the sight of Sylvia and Kitty together, talking in the kitchen earlier. He wasn’t a fool – of course he had known they bore some physical resemblance to each other, but seeing them facing one another brought out their similarities very clearly – and also their differences. Kitty now had an air of sophistication that was totally new. He supposed he shouldn’t be surprised; she’d been away for years, sent to a variety of postings, becoming expert in her profession and learning social graces she could scarcely have come across in Empire Street. Then of course she’d had that doctor boyfriend, who must have brought her into contact with an entirely new set of people. He himself was now an officer, and he was well used to working and dealing with those who blithely assumed they belonged to the officer class by birth – and yet he had the feeling Kitty was now somehow far above him.

He gave a small shake of his head. He had to put all these feelings to one side. He could see how his family welcomed Sylvia into their midst, and he was grateful she was so friendly and open with them. He should count his blessings, be pleased with what he had rather than wonder about what he didn’t. After all, the likelihood was that he might well bump into Kitty in a professional capacity now, and he couldn’t allow her presence, or even the thought of her presence, to distract him from his vital work. Lives depended on it.

‘Penny for ’em, Frank!’ Jack came across, in his Fleet Air Arm uniform, and slapped him on the back, almost making him spill the last of his rum. ‘How about a top-up?’ He brandished a nearly full bottle. Frank looked up, and caught sight of Kitty leaning against the opposite wall. She was looking at him too and their eyes briefly met, Kitty turning away quickly with a tight smile. It was only wishful thinking that made him wonder if it was a blush he’d seen creep across her cheeks … Damn it! Frank cursed himself as he watched her turn away and speak to someone else. He’d have to shake off these stupid thoughts.

‘Go on then.’ Frank held out his glass and was pleased to see his hand was totally steady – unlike the beating of his heart.

‘There, isn’t she lovely?’ It was Sarah’s turn to hold little Ellen and she was every inch the proud godmother. ‘She’s been so good. Look, this is your godfather. Better make a point of behaving when he’s around and you’ll never be short of pocket money, though we won’t tell your mammy.’ She held the baby close to Danny’s face, and he smiled but pulled away a fraction.