Sergeant Albert Williams was the same age as Ron and a fellow survivor of the Somme. He would have retired if it hadn’t been for the war commandeering all the younger men, but he enjoyed his job and it kept him out of the house and from under his rather bossy wife’s feet. He was a large man with a ruddy face, a kindly disposition unless roused, and a penchant for a drop of whisky should it be offered in return for a blind eye being turned to one of Ron’s minor law infringements.

‘I heard about your run-in with Gloria yesterday,’ he said, rocking back and forth in his size twelve boots.

Ron gulped. If Bert knew about that, then probably Rosie did too – which meant he really was in very deep trouble.

‘Are you sure Rosie will want to see you after that awful caterwauling?’

Ron stared at him in astonishment. ‘How the hell do you know about that?’

Bert tapped the side of his bulbous nose. ‘People think I don’t know half of what goes on in this town, but they’d be surprised at how much I hear and see. I turn a blind eye when things aren’t serious, as you know, and although you were in danger of disturbing the peace last night, I thought Rosie’s punishment was severe enough to let you off a night in the cells.’

‘So where’s Rosie gone at this time of the morning?’ Ron demanded.

‘She’s walking Monty down on the promenade.’ He grabbed Ron’s arm as he was about to dash off. ‘But she’s not alone, Ron.’

Startled, Ron looked back at him. ‘Who’s she with?’

Bert pursed his lips, clearly working out how best to reply. ‘Let’s just say she’s with the same chap who took her to lunch yesterday at the Officers’ Club,’ he said reluctantly.

Ron could feel the colour drain from his face, and he staggered a bit before he regained his senses. ‘Chap? What chap? Come on, Bert, spit it out.’

Bert’s meaty hand rested on Ron’s shoulder. ‘I’m sorry, old chum. I thought you must have known, seeing as Cordelia and Bertie were in the club at the time.’

‘Cordelia said nothing about it. Who is this man taking my girl out to lunch?’ snarled Ron. ‘I’ll soon settle his hash.’

Bert’s expression hardened. ‘Now, you just hold on there, Ron. There’s no profit in going off like a loose cannon before you know all the facts. I’m sure there’s nothing in it – and besides, you can hardly go round starting fights with one-armed war heroes.’

‘The Major?’ gasped Ron. ‘My Rosie’s been seeing Major Radwell?’ Rage infused his face. ‘How long has that been going on?’