She felt cold with fury that he’d gone against her express wishes, but she was damned if she’d let Olive know how deeply her words had cut, and how hurt she was by Ron breaking his promise never to go into that pub again. Turning back to Major Radwell, she murmured, ‘Take your time with that. It’s good gin and shouldn’t be rushed.’

Olive finished her beer and glared at Rosie, then grabbed her ratty coat and stomped out, muttering that it was hardly surprising Ron spent his time with Gloria Stevens when Rosie clearly had her eye on a bigger catch.

Rosie slid the bolts home after she’d gone, kicked off her tight shoes and returned to the bar. Pouring a large gin for herself and topping up the Major’s glass, she wished him luck and downed the fiery liquid in one. Catching the amused glint in his eyes, she shot him a grin. ‘It’s been one of those days,’ she explained. ‘One in which I could have done without Olive Grayson and her poison.’

Major Radwell smiled. ‘I think you handled the situation very well, Mrs Braithwaite, but I suspect she’s out there now spreading gossip about us. Perhaps it would be better if I didn’t linger.’

Rosie laughed. ‘If you’re worried about my reputation, it’s far too late, Major. The very fact I’m on my own and run a pub is enough to brand me a scarlet woman. But this is my pub and I choose who I drink with. You’re welcome to stay as long as you want.’

‘That’s very kind of you, Mrs Braithwaite. I’d be delighted to keep you company as long as Ron doesn’t take objection.’

‘I think you can leave Ron’s sensibilities out of it,’ she said crisply. ‘He’s not my keeper, and it’s become perfectly obvious that I’m certainly not his.’

‘Oh dear,’ he said ruefully. ‘I get the feeling he’s in rather hot water.’

‘Up to his neck,’ she replied, and then grinned. ‘And please call me Rosie, Major Radwell. There’s no need to be so formal after all the weeks you’ve been coming in.’

‘Very well, Rosie, and you must call me Henry.’

They drank in companionable silence and Rosie tried very hard to put aside all thoughts of Ron’s presence in the Crown. ‘When will you get your final discharge from the hospital, Henry?’ she asked.

‘They’ll be letting me go any day now,’ he replied, ‘and I have to think about what I’ll do after that.’ He drained the glass and placed it on the bar. ‘My army career is over, and there are precious few jobs for a man of my age with one arm.’