‘America is taking over the supply of weapons and machinery,’ he said quietly. ‘It’s easier for them as they have bases all across the Pacific.’

Doris turned to look up at him, her heartbeat quickening as it always did when he was near. ‘Does that mean all these factories will close?’

‘Most of them.’

Doris bit her lip as she thought about Ivy and Ruby losing their jobs. ‘Will this office have to close too?’ she asked fearfully.

He smiled down at her, his silver hair glinting in the sunlight, his blue eyes made more so by the love that shone from them. ‘Our jobs are safe, dear heart. The rope makers will remain here along with the engineering shop and tool factory – although they will cut down on their hours. And in time, other companies will take over the leases of the buildings. New enterprises will spring up, and there are already plans in place to divide up the largest ones into smaller units to provide workshops for individuals to set up their own trades. It might look gloomy and rather sad now, Doris, but once the men come home and begin to rebuild their lives, this place will be booming.’

They returned to their desks. ‘Do you think Michael might want to set up something when he comes home?’

‘My son is an army man like me and his grandfather before him. I suspect he’ll be keen to get back to his regiment.’ He squeezed Doris’s hand. ‘Don’t worry about Michael, my love. He’s his own man with a good army career in front of him. And although he might be a bit shocked to find us engaged, he has his own life to lead and is realistic enough to accept that I have mine.’

Doris could only hope so, but she harboured many doubts about this beloved son whom she’d yet to meet. Michael had been taken prisoner shortly after the death of his mother, and before his father had retired from the army and moved to Cliffehaven. He’d certainly have a great deal to get used to after almost five years in a German POW camp. Discovering that his father planned to marry again wouldn’t be easy to take, and frankly, Doris was dreading his return.

She knew so little about him except for what John had told her, and a loving father would be biased, so she couldn’t really take it as read that he’d accept her, or fathom his true character, until she’d met him. John seemed convinced that Michael would welcome her with open arms, but then he was an optimist and a man in love, so saw everything in a rosy light.