Michael could very well be disapproving, and take an instant dislike to her, for she was nothing like his dead mother in looks or background. If that happened things could get very awkward for all concerned. John’s love and loyalty would be torn between her and Michael, and if there was no resolution she’d have only one option open to her. She’d have to walk away.

A shiver ran down her spine at the thought of losing him. She couldn’t let that happen, not now she’d found real love and contentment for the first time in her life.

‘What’s the matter, my love? You’re not still worrying about Michael’s reaction to our engagement, are you?’

‘I am rather,’ she admitted.

‘Silly girl,’ he said fondly, reaching for her hand across the desk. ‘I know I foolishly hesitated to make things official between us because I was worried about my son’s reaction, but it’s the best decision I’ve made in years and I have absolutely no regrets. Michael might be taken aback at first, but he’s mature enough to accept the situation and be reasonable about it. You’ll see.’ He kissed the tips of her fingers. ‘Besides,’ he added, ‘he’ll probably only be here on a long leave before he’s returned to his regiment, so whether he approves or not, he won’t have to put up with us billing and cooing for very long.’

Doris smiled into his eyes but remained unconvinced.

The mood of the girls working in the armaments factory was far from happy as the rumours circulated and the gossip spread that the entire estate was about to be shut down. In fact, there had been a restlessness in them that had grown all afternoon since it was announced there would be an address from the manager at the end of the shift. It was a miracle that there hadn’t been a serious accident.

The afternoon had dragged on and Ivy’s headache hadn’t been improved by the stench of gunpowder and oil, and the ceaseless music blaring from the loud speakers under the corrugated tin roof. She felt sick with apprehension about the announcement, for she’d heard the rumours and seen for herself that the other factories were winding down in preparation for closing or being relocated. She could only hope that as the war was still going on in the Far East she’d be one of the lucky ones to be kept on, for she needed the money.

Five o’clock finally came and the music was switched off to be replaced by the voice of the manager, Staff Sergeant Wilcox, coming over the tannoy. ‘Please put down your tools and switch off,’ she said, her voice distorted by the echo-inducing tin roof. ‘And then wait by your benches until everyone is here.’