She stared at her reflection in the mirror she’d placed on the battered chest of drawers, not really understanding why she bothered to fuss with her hair and put make-up on every morning, for there was nowhere to go but the Anchor, the Officers’ Club, or for a stroll along the seafront or through the few decent shops that were still standing in the High Street. However, as her glamorous friend Clarissa had said, it was a matter of pride to always look one’s best at all times for one never knew what was round the corner. And as she admired Clarissa very much and made a point of emulating her sophisticated style, she’d carried on making the effort.

She sank onto the sagging mattress and gave a deep sigh of longing. Despite the terrors of the enemy raids and the seemingly endless losses among the flying crews, life had been exciting and fulfilling at RAF Cliffe, and now that everything had come to a grinding halt and she had no real reason to get up in the mornings, she’d have given anything to have those days back again. With each passing day it felt as if she was stuck in limbo as she heard from the other girls about their exciting new lives and jobs in London, and waited to hear from Randy. It was hugely frustrating that no one in authority would tell her anything, and she was beginning to wonder if Randy was still alive, or if he’d simply forgotten about her.

She lit a cigarette and contemplated both options – neither of which sat easily with her, for she hoped what they’d shared was too special for him to forget, and certainly didn’t want him dead. It had been a very long time since he’d crash-landed and been captured, and back then she was in the throes of love, swept away in his enthusiasm and all the dreams he had of a future with her in America.

She’d been enthralled as he’d talked about his wealthy family, and the comfortable life they could have in Los Angeles once he’d completed his interrupted degree and joined his father’s law practice. From his descriptions, she’d been able to imagine the sandy beaches, the palm trees and endless sunshine of that land of opportunity, which had only made her want it even more.