Chapter Two

November 1941

When she had first entered the MT, Cadi had taken Poppy’s words to heart.

‘Driving’s a doddle, you can’t go wrong – all you have to do is turn the wheel in the direction you’re going,’ Poppy had assured her friend. ‘The hardest part is map-reading, especially when they’ve taken all the flamin’ signs away.’

This conversation had taken place the day Cadi got her new posting. Believing every word that had left her friend’s lips, Cadi had approached her first lesson with gusto. However, she soon discovered that driving wasn’t quite as easy as Poppy had made out, the hardest part being the gears or, rather, the ratio between the clutch and accelerator as she changed gear.

‘I never mentioned the gears because it didn’t cross my mind,’ Poppy explained truthfully.

‘Well, all I do is lurch up the road,’ replied Cadi bitterly, ‘and that’s if I’m lucky. Half the time I just stall the stupid thing.’

‘Maybe you’re overthinking it,’ suggested Poppy helpfully.

‘It’s hard not to,’ wailed Cadi. ‘If I don’t get this right, what then? Corporal Moses said it was imperative for me to drive, if I’m to achieve my goal.’

Keen to assure her friend that everything would be all right, Poppy spoke encouragingly. ‘Chin up. It’s only your first day. I’m sure you’ll get the hang of it tomorrow.’

Determined to be successful, Cadi persisted and it wasn’t long before she had conquered the Hillman. Believing she had got the knack of changing gear, she was disappointed to find that she was back to square one when she was introduced to the larger vehicles.

Now Cadi ran her tongue over her bottom lip as she attempted to pull forward without stalling. The lorry she was driving was similar to the one Daphne had turned up in when she collected Aled from the Greyhound. Cadi knew that the thought of Daphne having succeeded where she seemed to be failing was adding to the pressure. She could not, and would not, let Daphne get the upper hand. Gripping the steering wheel tightly, she concentrated with all her might as the lorry slowly inched forward. With the vehicle gaining speed, she carefully took her foot off the clutch pedal, only to hear the engine cut out. She slapped the steering wheel with the palm of her hand. ‘I’m going to scream if I don’t get this soon.’

The corporal teaching her raised his eyebrows fleetingly. ‘That makes two of us.’

She groaned. ‘I swear I don’t do it on purpose.’ She glanced at him shyly from the corner of her eye. ‘Have they sent you over because all the others have given up on me?’

Chuckling softly, he turned to face her. ‘You’re not that bad. You mark my words, three weeks from now you’ll be changing gear without giving it a second thought – just as you do when you’re driving the Hillman.’

Cadi gave a resigned sigh. ‘I’m fine once I’m moving – it’s the pulling-away bit I have difficulty with.’

‘It’s all about feeling the bite. Once you find that, you’ll be able to drive anything, regardless of whether or not you’ve driven it before,’ he said confidently.

Cadi huffed irritably. ‘That’s what they all say. And even though I can do it in the Hillman, I still don’t really know what the bite is. Quite frankly, it all feels the same to me.’ Taking a deep breath, she put the vehicle into neutral, started the engine and attempted to pull forward, only to be stopped by the corporal.

‘Are you even breathing?’ he asked, a half-smile twitching his lips. ‘As for that steering wheel, you’re holding on to it as if your life depends on it.’

‘Does it matter, if it helps me concentrate?’ said Cadi, who felt the corporal was adding to her woes unnecessarily.

‘Yes, because it means you’re not relaxed, and that won’t help your driving. You need to loosen up – not only your hands, but your legs too.’ He demonstrated Cadi’s driving position by holding his arms stiffly out in front of him. ‘How can I drive properly if my arms are locked into position?’

‘It’s difficult to relax when you’re trying not to make any mistakes,’ whined Cadi. ‘I’m halfway through my training and I’m still getting it wrong. I’m beginning to think I’m not cut out for this driving malarkey.’

He held up his forefinger. ‘I’ve got an idea.’ Without further explanation, he pulled his tie from around his neck. ‘I want you to use my tie as a blindfold.’

Cadi’s brow shot towards her hairline. ‘You what?’

The corporal leaned forward, indicating that Cadi should do the same. ‘Trust me.’ With the tie secured in place, he continued, ‘I want you to put her into gear and tell me when you feel the bite.’

Cadi shook her head vigorously. ‘I daren’t. What if someone steps out in front of me? I could end up killing them.’

The corporal continued, unperturbed by her concerns, ‘You’re making excuses. Now do as I say and pull forward, until your foot is free of the clutch.’

Wiping her forehead with the back of her hand, Cadi put the lorry into gear. Believing that everything was about to go hideously wrong, she went through the motions, only this time she felt the clutch bite.

‘I’ve got it!’ she cried as she gently lifted her foot off the clutch before applying the brake.

‘Excellent!’ praised the corporal. ‘Now I want you to do the same, but in reverse.’

Slipping the lorry into reverse, Cadi went through the same process. With the vehicle gently creeping back, she applied the brakes. Beaming happily, she lowered the blindfold while voicing her thoughts. ‘I don’t understand. I never look at the pedals, so why did the blindfold make such a big difference?’

‘You felt the clutch,’ explained the corporal. ‘By being blindfolded, you had to rely on your other senses.’

‘You’re right, I did. And now that I know what it feels like, I really will be able to drive anything.’

He winked at her. ‘Ah well, that’s the difference a good instructor can make.’

She knew he was only joking, but at the same time he was right. ‘What made you come up with the idea of the blindfold?’

He shrugged. ‘We’re expected to get all kinds of people driving anything from lorries to motorcycles. You have to be quick to adapt and find solutions where you can.’ He looked at the road ahead of them. ‘Fancy giving it another go?’

Cadi handed his tie back. ‘Only with both eyes on the road this time.’ She put the lorry into gear and began to push the accelerator down while easing off the clutch. In truth, she had half expected that she would have to close her eyes in order to feel the bite, so she was pleasantly surprised when she recognised it instantly. Pulling forward with ease, she beamed proudly. ‘I can’t believe I’ve finally got it! I thought I was doomed to fail, but not any more.’

With the lesson over, Cadi headed straight for the NAAFI so that she could telephone Jez. As she waited for him to come to the phone, an image of her beau formed in her mind: tall, dark curly hair, deep-brown eyes and cheeks that dimpled whenever he smiled. The image vanished as his voice came down the line.

‘Cadi?’

She gave a small squeal. ‘I can do it, Jez! I can move a lorry without stalling or kangarooing my way into second gear.’

‘Well done, queen. I knew you’d get there in the end – you always do.’

Cadi leaned against the counter. ‘I can finally look forward to my leave, without worrying about the course. I can’t wait to see everyone; it’s been way too long.’

Jez agreed wholeheartedly. ‘I couldn’t agree more, and I know Maria feels the same because I spoke to her this morning. All she talked about was spending Christmas with us all under the same roof.’

‘I’m glad Izzy agreed to come,’ said Cadi. ‘She shouldn’t have to stay away because of Eric.’

‘Too right she shouldn’t,’ said Jez bitterly. ‘I wonder what changed her mind?’

Cadi grinned. ‘Her exact words were “If my father comes anywhere near me, I shall give him a piece of my mind, and he won’t like what I have to say.” It seems our Izzy’s not the scared, browbeaten girl she once was, but a confident independent woman with a mind of her own and a tongue to match.’

‘Good for her!’ cried Jez. ‘It’d almost be worth seeing Eric again, just to see his face when she pulls him down a peg or two.’

‘I’d certainly pay good money to see Eric learn a few home truths – not that I think he’d listen,’ said Cadi. ‘The last time I spoke to him, it was clear he thought himself to be the injured party.’

‘Until you mentioned his stash of cash,’ Jez reminded her.

‘Eric’s money box,’ said Cadi slowly. ‘I’d forgotten about that.’

‘I wish I’d seen his face when you asked him where he got the money from.’

‘He certainly wasn’t keen on hanging around after that.’ She hesitated. ‘I still reckon he must have nicked it.’

‘Agreed, but where – or rather who – from?’

‘Black market?’ suggested Cadi. ‘Eric was always down the docks, and everyone knows that’s a prime location for smuggling.’

Jez, who used to be a supervisor down the docks, found this doubtful. ‘To be a successful smuggler you need a lot of mates and, as far as I know, Eric hasn’t got any.’

‘True, but he got the money somehow, and I’d wager it wasn’t legally.’ Cadi tutted beneath her breath. ‘It infuriates me that he got away with it,’ adding sourly, ‘just like he got away with treating Izzy like a punchbag.’

‘I know, but we simply have to be grateful that we got her out when we did, and that she’ll never have to see or hear from Eric again for as long as she lives.’

Cadi knew that Jez was right, but she hated to see an injustice, and Eric had never been held accountable for any of the wrongs he’d committed.

The operator broke the news that their time was up.

‘I’ll give you a call in a couple of days,’ said Jez. ‘I can’t say too much, but I’m going to be off base for a day or two.’

‘Sounds interesting,’ mused Cadi. ‘Make sure you take care of yourself. I don’t want any hiccups between now and Christmas.’

He grinned to himself. ‘I always do. Ta-ra, Cadi – love you.’

‘Bye, Jez, love—’

The operator ended the call.

‘You could’ve waited until I’d completed my sentence,’ snapped Cadi irritably.

The operator ignored her words, responding with the usual reply: ‘Caller, please replace the handset and allow the next person in line—’

Sighing, Cadi didn’t bother to repeat herself. Instead she gave the operator a taste of her own medicine by replacing the handset before she had a chance to finish her sentence.

When she got back to her hut, Claire Williams – one of the girls on Cadi’s course – walked towards her. ‘Sorry, Cadi, I have told them, but it seems they’re hell-bent on putting your post in with mine.’ She handed Cadi a bunch of envelopes.

‘Thanks, Claire.’

With everyone in her hut knowing that Cadi was struggling with the gears, Claire spoke tentatively. ‘How’d you get on this afternoon?’

Cadi looked up from her envelopes, a large grin giving the other girl the answer she had been hoping for.

‘Well done, you! What changed?’

‘Different instructor,’ said Cadi simply. ‘It’s right what they say: it’s not always what you know, but who.’

‘I’m so glad you got the gist,’ said Claire, before acknowledging a woman who had hailed her from the far side of the room. She turned back to Cadi. ‘Catch you later.’

Cadi fanned out the envelopes. Glancing at the writing on each one, she marked them off in her mind: Poppy, Izzy, Jez, Maria, Kitty, Ronnie, Mam and Dad and … She stared at the last one. Aled? She sank slowly onto her bed. Continuing to stare at the envelope, she tried to work out why on earth Aled would write to her, when he’d not done so for ages. The last time they had spoken they had more or less agreed to go their separate ways, albeit on friendly terms.

She recalled the day in her mind’s eye. She had returned to Rhos after hearing that her father and brother had been trapped in the collapsed mine, only to find that Aled had also returned home. Annoyed that he had seemingly followed Cadi to Rhos, Jez had been quick to voice his thoughts to her. Furious that Jez would accuse Aled unfairly, Cadi had retorted vociferously and the conversation had ended in a huge argument, with Cadi slamming the phone down on Jez before storming out of the post office, leaving the villagers – all of whom had feigned temporary deafness whilst she was on the phone – to gossip amongst themselves.

It was only when she told Aled of Jez’s accusations that she finally learned the truth. Instead of denying Jez’s suspicions, Aled confirmed that her fiancé had been right to be jealous. As the conversation progressed, it turned out that Aled had been holding a torch for Cadi for some time. Knocked sideways by his revelations, Cadi had explained that she loved Jez – and Jez alone. Aled had accepted her words, agreeing to bow out. Or so it had seemed. But if that was the case, why had he chosen to write to her now?

She sighed. There was only one way to find out. Slitting open the envelope, she pulled out the letter within:

Dear Cadi

I do hope this letter finds you well. I realise you probably never expected to hear from me again, and in truth I had decided to leave well alone. So why the change of heart, I hear you cry? The short answer is: ‘the war’. I can’t go into too much detail, else this letter will look more like a sieve than a piece of paper, but we got pretty badly messed up the other day, and I’m sad to say we lost our mid-gunner. It was a terrible blow to the crew, as we’ve been together since the start. For some reason it made me think about the mine collapse, and the trouble my presence had caused between you and Jez. I’ve often wondered what happened after I left you that day. Did you manage to smooth things over?

I know it’s none of my business but, when all’s said and done, we’ve known each other for the longest time, and I wouldn’t want to think of you being unhappy – quite frankly, life’s too short! I must say, I was rather surprised to find that you’d joined up. I did write to you at the Greyhound, but got no response. As your brother Alun’s still working for my dad, I asked him, and that’s when I learned you’d joined the WAAF.

Any road I hope you find the time to drop me a line or two because I’d really like to know how you’re getting on, and what you’re up to, but at the same time I wouldn’t want to cause any trouble between you and Jez, so I’ll understand if you’d rather not. All I’ll say is: friends are precious and I’d like to keep the ones I have. I hope you feel the same way.

Fondest wishes,

Aled

Cadi blew her cheeks out. What should she do? His letter seemed innocent enough, but she didn’t know whether Jez would see it that way. She stood up. There was only one thing for it, at a time like this. Letter in hand, she strode to the NAAFI so that she could telephone Poppy.

‘Hello?’

‘Poppy!’

‘Hello, Cadi. I must say, this is a nice surprise. How’s things going at Cardington?’

‘Wonderful! I’ve finally got the knack of pulling away without causing whiplash or sending someone hurtling into the windscreen.’

Poppy laughed. ‘I should imagine that’ll come as a relief to everyone on base – although I always knew you’d get there in the end.’

‘They’re ever so good, and they’ve got the patience of a saint. But that’s not why I’m calling.’

‘Oh?’ Poppy’s voice was full of intrigue.

Cadi gave Poppy a brief outline of Aled’s letter. ‘So, what d’you think? Do I reply?’

‘Never mind what I think – what do you think?’

Cadi wound her finger around the telephone wire. ‘If you’d have asked me that before Aled wrote to me, I’d have said I wanted to let sleeping dogs lie, but I’m not so sure any more. His letter made sense. You can’t afford to lose contact with someone over one silly mistake – life’s too short for that – and Jez shouldn’t have a problem with it, because Aled’s already admitted defeat as far as he and I are concerned …’

Hearing the hesitation in her friend’s voice, Poppy spoke for her. ‘I’m sensing a “but”.’

‘You are indeed, probably because you know me so well,’ said Cadi. ‘And that’s why I rang you, because you know me better than anyone else.’

‘Bezzies since we were knee-high to a grasshopper,’ said Poppy fondly. ‘So go on then, what’s the “but”, or should I guess?’

Cadi smiled. ‘Guess.’

‘He put in that bit about wondering whether you and Jez had made it up, and you’re curious as to whether he’s hoping the answer is “no”, so that he can see whether the coast is clear for him to move in.’

Cadi laughed. ‘I couldn’t have put it better myself! Honestly, Poppy, I sometimes think you can read my mind.’

‘Close, but not quite. So go on: what’re your thoughts?’

‘In my heart of hearts, I don’t think Aled would pursue me, after everything we’ve been through. Which is why I think I should write back, because I’d feel awful if I didn’t and something happened to him. It’s only letters, so Jez has no reason to object, but at the same time …’

‘You’d rather Jez didn’t know,’ confirmed Poppy.

Cadi nibbled her thumbnail. ‘Only because I believe he’ll blow it out of proportion. What do you think?’

‘You’re right. Jez won’t like it at all, which is silly, because there’s no harm in writing someone a letter. But the real question is whether it’s right for you not to tell Jez, and I reckon you already know the answer to that one.’

Cadi heaved a sigh. ‘You’re right, I do. But if I tell Jez, do you really think he’ll see things from my point of view?’

‘Probably not,’ said Poppy flatly.

‘Poppy!’

She chuckled softly. ‘What? Don’t you like my answer, despite the fact that you know it’s right?’

‘I was hoping you’d say I was being silly, and that Jez would understand,’ said Cadi.

Poppy smiled. ‘Only he won’t. Jez will make a mountain out of a molehill – and for what? A letter between friends. Hardly the crime of the century!’

‘So you think I should keep it under my hat?’

‘Definitely! When all’s said and done, you’d be upsetting Jez for no reason.’

‘You’re right,’ replied Cadi slowly. ‘I hate the idea of keeping things from him, but Aled’s reaching out to a friend, and I wouldn’t consider myself to be such if I didn’t write back.’

The familiar voice of the operator came down the line, and Cadi blushed as she realised that the operator might have heard some of the conversation and, if so, was it the same operator who had been on duty when she had telephoned Jez earlier? That was the trouble with making a telephone call – you were never guaranteed privacy.

‘I’ll let you know what, if anything, happens,’ promised Cadi. ‘Do give my love to Izzy.’

‘Will do. Ta-ra, Cadi.’

Cadi said ‘TTFN’ before replacing the handset. As she made her way back to the hut, she had already made up her mind that she would write to Aled, letting him know everything that had happened since she’d seen him last. I’m positive his reasons for writing are genuine, she assured herself, but if I let him know that Jez and I are still an item and his letters do start to ease off, then I’ll know he was only fishing to see if I’m available. If not, then I’ll know his reasons for writing were genuine and that I’ve done the right thing by responding. Aled hadn’t mentioned Daphne in his letter, so she assumed the two of them were no longer in touch. Just goes to show, Cadi thought now, all that trouble and she still didn’t get what she wanted.

It was the day of Cadi’s passing-out parade and, despite the best efforts of all those concerned, the continuing snowfall had ensured that the yard was covered.

As she stood to attention, feeling frozen to the bone, she stared fixedly at the sergeant, praying for him to give the order to dismiss. Having already had her instructions to report to RAF Coningsby – which was a lot closer to Poppy and Izzy – in the New Year, Cadi thought life couldn’t get any better. Christmas was in two days’ time and she couldn’t wait to celebrate it with her friends. Her smiled wavered. It was a shame she wouldn’t be seeing her own family, but with Rhos and Liverpool being so far apart, she simply wouldn’t have the time to visit both.

After what seemed like an age, the sergeant bellowed the order for them to dismiss and, without hesitation, the entire parade ground headed for the warmth and comfort of the NAAFI.

Stamping the life back into her feet, Claire joined Cadi at her table. ‘Roll on the spring, that’s all I can say.’

Cadi pulled a grouchy face. ‘Bah, humbug.’

Claire laughed. ‘Not at all. I love Christmas. I just don’t like cold, wet, miserable weather. Who does?’

Cadi, having taken a mouthful of the stew, swallowed before answering. ‘All right, I’m with you on that one. Snow’s pretty, until somebody asks you to stand in it for hours whilst freezing your bits off.’

Claire nodded. ‘It’s not fun to drive in, either.’

‘Better than ice,’ noted Cadi, ‘especially black ice.’ She shook her head. ‘I hit a patch yesterday and it scared the flamin’ life out of me.’

‘What did you do?’ asked Claire eagerly, a forkful of mashed potato poised before her lips.

‘Turned into it, like they tell you to.’ She shrugged. ‘I dunno whether it made it better or not, but the instructor reckons I’d have been spinning like a top had I not done so.’

Claire grimaced. ‘I hope I don’t hit any.’

They continued to eat in thoughtful silence.

‘What are your plans for Christmas?’ enquired Cadi as she used her bread to mop up the remaining stew.

‘Home to see the folks – me mam was made up when she heard we’d got Christmas off.’

‘We certainly have been very lucky. I’m going to meet up with the others in the Belmont. Mam and Dad were disappointed, but I can’t be in two places at once and, in truth, I’d rather be in Liverpool than in Rhos.’

Claire pretended to be deep in thought. ‘Hmm, let me see, stay in a lovely warm hotel or share a bedroom with my brothers …’

Cadi folded her arms on the table. ‘Exactly! I love seeing my folks, but I’m a grown woman now and there’s no way I’m sharing a room with my brothers, not any more. I did ask Mam if they could come to us, but she said Dad couldn’t get the time off from the mine.’

‘That’s a shame,’ said Claire, before adding, ‘Still, there’s always next year.’

Cadi knew full well, from her own experience, that another Christmas wasn’t always guaranteed, not for everyone. She turned her thoughts to the letter she had sent Aled and his subsequent reply. He hadn’t said much about his own life, and he’d certainly not mentioned Daphne. She understood that he couldn’t discuss his operations or where he’d been – none of them could. Even so, he could have talked about dances he’d been to or films he’d seen, yet he’d done none of that, instead opting to fill her in on everything that was going on in their home village of Rhos. Cadi found this strange, especially for someone who’d been as desperate to leave as she had. Could it be that Aled was feeling homesick? She wouldn’t blame him if he was, especially after losing their mid-gunner.

Claire cut across her thoughts. ‘What time are you off in the morning?’

‘Our leave starts at midnight, or at least mine does, doesn’t yours?’

Claire wrinkled one side of her nose. ‘I can’t get a train home until tomorrow, so I’m stuck here till the morning.’

‘Tough luck,’ said Cadi. ‘My train leaves not long after supper, so all in all, it’s worked out rather well.’

Claire finished the last of her stew. ‘It’s a shame you’re going to miss out on the passing-out dance.’

‘I know, but seeing my friends will more than make up for that,’ said Cadi, ‘and, quite frankly, I can’t wait!’

Jez stood on the platform of Lime Street Station. He was clutching a bouquet of hellebores whilst anxiously eyeing the line, eager for a glimpse of Cadi’s train. He hadn’t seen his belle for nigh on three months, but it felt a lot longer than that.

He turned his thoughts back to the last time the two of them had been together in Liverpool. They had just got over the situation with Aled and the subsequent letter from Daphne when the Greyhound had been bombed. In the blink of an eye he’d lost his entire family, for Carrie – even though she wasn’t his real grandmother – was the only family Jez had ever known.

When Carrie had found the baby on her doorstep, with no note or explanation as to how he’d got there, she hadn’t hesitated to take him in. Loving Jez as though he were her own, she had refused to cast judgement over his parents’ decision to desert their child. As far as Carrie was concerned, they must have been desperate to abandon their baby, and she wouldn’t hear otherwise.

Now Jez turned his eyes to the skies outside as a Spitfire, probably on a test run, flew overhead. He might not be able to bring his nan back, but he sure as hell could avenge her death, and he’d do that by making sure that the planes in his care were the best they could be, which is why he’d volunteered to go to Africa. He winced as the thought entered his mind. It had seemed like a good idea at the time, and he still believed it was, but he knew that Cadi wouldn’t see it that way. She was fond of telling folk that she liked him with both feet firmly on the ground in good old Blighty, because she believed it to be a lot safer than the alternative.

Hearing the distant squeal of brakes, he looked towards the train, which was just visible. Straightening his tie, he stepped forward so that he might have a better view of the carriages that were drawing near.

As he eagerly awaited the arrival of his fiancée, a niggling doubt came to the forefront of his thoughts. With trains becoming increasingly unpredictable, and arrival and departure times being disrupted by bombed lines and air-raid sirens, there was no guarantee Cadi had not missed the train. Seeing the first carriages roll past, with no sign of Cadi, he had begun to fear he might be right, when he saw her waving to him from the last carriage. Beaming with a mixture of joy and relief, he followed the train along the platform until it had come to a complete standstill. Without waiting for the guard, Jez opened the door to Cadi’s carriage and helped her down.

Picking her up in his arms, he kissed her deeply. His passion fired by the thought of going to Africa, his lips lingered on hers. As they broke apart, he gazed lovingly into her eyes. ‘God, how I’ve missed you!’

‘And I you,’ cooed Cadi. ‘I wish we weren’t stationed so far apart.’ She rested her cheek against his chest. ‘Having said that, now I’m a fully trained driver, who knows where I might end up? I’ve been posted to RAF Coningsby for now, but by all accounts I shall be travelling the length and breadth of the country, so logically speaking, I’m bound to move closer to you at one time or another.’

Jez grimaced. He’d always known he’d have to tell Cadi of his impulsive behaviour at some point. He’d only hoped it would be later rather than sooner – preferably after Christmas – but if he didn’t tell her after such an opening, she’d never forgive him. He tried to smile, but there was nothing to smile about, so instead his grin became more of a rictus. ‘Not unless they’re posting you to Africa?’ he said, in what he hoped was a jovial manner.

Cadi gazed up at him – Jez had obviously misheard her. ‘Sorry? You’ve lost me.’

His jaw flinched as he prepared himself to speak the truth. ‘I did mean to tell you before, but the time never seemed right.’ He paused briefly, before blurting out the words. ‘I’m going to Africa.’ Seeing the pained expression on Cadi’s face, he continued to speak hastily. ‘It won’t be for long, or at least I don’t think so – you see, they’re having dreadful trouble with their engines and they’ve asked for our best mechanics to go over.’ Noticing the look of disappointment clearly etched on her face, he added, ‘It’s a compliment really.’

The words had come out as if they were being expelled from a machine gun, and Cadi felt as though every one of them had wounded her. Her bottom lip trembled as she spoke. ‘Why you? When there’re plenty of good mechanics out there already.’

‘Because they want the best,’ said Jez, ‘and I’m honoured to think I fit the bill.’

‘We’ll never get to see each other,’ muttered Cadi miserably.

He turned to face her. ‘If we’re quick to resolve the problem, then we’ll be back in Blighty before you can say “knife”.’

Cadi forced her lips into a reluctant smile. ‘You’re the best mechanic I know, which is why they’ve chosen you. I shouldn’t be angry with you – it’s not as if you could’ve turned them down.’

It was at this point that Jez realised Cadi had got hold of the wrong end of the stick. Should he correct her or should he keep quiet? If she knew he’d volunteered she might not be as accepting, but if she continued to think he was only doing as he’d been instructed, where was the harm? Jez hated himself for not putting her right, but as it was such a small detail, did it really matter?

Cadi interrupted his thoughts. ‘When do you leave?’

He gave a grim smile. ‘The fifteenth of January.’

Relieved to hear that he would at least be around for Christmas and the New Year, she asked her next question. ‘And are you on leave until then?’

His brow shot towards his hairline. ‘I wish! I have to go back to RAF Finningley on the fourth of January, so that we can prepare for the off.’

Cadi smiled bravely up at him. ‘Looks like I’ll have to make the most of you whilst you’re around, then.’

Picking up her suitcase, Jez remembered the hellebores. ‘I almost forgot!’ He presented her with the bouquet he had chosen. ‘I hope you like them.’

Cadi admired the delicate flowers. ‘They’re beautiful.’

Pleased to see his fiancée smiling once more, Jez slipped his arm through Cadi’s and together they walked out onto the concourse. Now was not the time to upset the apple cart. If he admitted to volunteering, she’d want to know why, and if he used his nan as an excuse, Cadi would quite rightly point out that Carrie would have wanted him safe and sound, back in Blighty. Which was all well and good, but Jez wanted to make the Germans pay. Given the opportunity, he’d shoot them down, just like Aled. He frowned. Why had he brought Aled into this? Because Aled’s a real hero, said his inner thoughts, who’s probably shot down more Jerries than you’ve had hot dinners. Jez’s frown deepened. Why was he being so hard on himself? He was doing the best he could. After all, a reliable aircraft was as crucial to the operation as the men who were flying it. Once again his inner thoughts made themselves heard: You’re jealous; you wanted to protect the woman you love, and you failed. Cadi deserves a real man, someone who can protect her – someone like Aled.

Cadi cut across his thoughts. ‘Do you know what problem they’re having with the engines?’

‘Something to do with the conditions over there, that’s all they’ve said.’ He shrugged. ‘My guess would be the sand, but I won’t know until I get there and see it for myself.’ He gestured to the line of taxis. ‘Do you want to ride in style or would you prefer to take the bus?’

‘Walk,’ said Cadi simply. ‘I’ve missed being in the city.’

‘Me too,’ conceded Jez, ‘even if half of it is lying in ruins.’

‘It reminds me of what we’re fighting for,’ said Cadi. ‘When I was learning to drive I was trying so hard to get it right that I sometimes forgot what I was training for.’

‘I know what you mean,’ agreed Jez. ‘You don’t get to see much, when you spend most of your time up to your elbows in grease.’ An image of a Wellington bomber appeared in his mind. The fuselage had flak marks from one end to the other, and the engine itself had a gaping hole where the cylinder head should have been. How the pilot had managed to land the heavy bomber was quite beyond Jez, and why he had made it sound as though he wasn’t affected by the war also eluded him. He saw the results of war every day. In fact it was a rare occasion when all of the planes made it back from an operation without some kind of damage, if they returned at all. His mind’s eye turned to an empty space where a Blenheim had once stood. The absence of an aircraft was more significant than a damaged one. So why had he made out to Cadi that he didn’t see much of the war? Because you don’t want to upset her, he thought. There’s plenty of time for Cadi to realise the horrors of working on an airfield, and until then she’s best left in blissful ignorance.

‘Have you seen Maria and Bill yet?’ asked Cadi, once again cutting across his thoughts.

Grateful to be leaving the subject of war behind, Jez nodded enthusiastically. ‘I certainly have and, I must say, I think the Belmont’s rather something, don’t you?’

‘There’s no denying it’s a lot grander than the Greyhound and it’s in a much better part of Liverpool, but the Greyhound was my home, so to me the Belmont can never compare.’

Jez squeezed her arm in his. ‘Loyal to the core, that’s my girl.’

Remembering the letter she had written to Aled, Cadi nodded, but kept her gaze lowered. It wasn’t that she was being disloyal, but Jez might not see it that way.

Whilst both she and Poppy had agreed to keep quiet regarding Aled’s letter, Cadi had had second thoughts since then. It didn’t matter how innocent the letters were; lying would only make things worse, and she’d be a fool even to consider it. Having decided on the train that she would come clean as soon as she saw him, Jez’s news that he was off to Africa had caused her to have a rethink. If Jez knew she’d been writing to Aled, albeit innocently, he’d want to know why, and did she really want him worrying about what was happening at home whilst he was in the middle of Africa, with goodness only knows what going on around him? No. To tell him would only ease her conscience; it would do nothing for Jez but cause him concern, and that was the last thing she wanted. I shall stop writing to Aled, Cadi told herself. I’ll tell him that I think it’s unfair for me to be writing to another man whilst my fiancé is out of the country, no matter how innocent it may be.

With the matter temporarily laid to rest, she relaxed in the knowledge that she and Jez were about to have the best Christmas ever.

It was Christmas Eve and Cadi had gone to the station to meet Poppy and Izzy, whilst Jez helped Maria and Bill back at the hotel. Having not seen Poppy since the May blitz, Cadi was eager to see if her oldest friend had changed. As the train drew into the station, she saw both girls waving frantically at her from their carriage window. Standing outside the carriage, she waited eagerly for the guard to open the door. As soon as he had done so, Poppy and Izzy alighted onto the platform and all three girls greeted each other with gusto.

If Cadi had wondered whether Poppy would look different, that was nothing compared to Izzy. Cadi stared at her friend, open-mouthed. ‘Izzy, you don’t even look like the same woman.’

Izzy blushed shyly. ‘Amazing what three square meals a day can do for your figure.’

Cadi couldn’t have agreed more. Her friend’s once wafer-thin frame had filled out nicely, and her previously gaunt cheeks had vanished, leaving her with a fresh and healthy complexion. The biggest difference, however, was in the scar that Eric had given his daughter. It was still visible below her left eye, but only just.

Seeing that Cadi was staring at the scar, Izzy spoke up. ‘A touch of powder,’ she said informatively. ‘I was amazed at the difference it made, but Poppy thinks eating properly helped almost as much.’

Cadi turned to Poppy. With her dark hair and dark eyes, Poppy had remained relatively unchanged, save for the deepening of the premature lines that marked her forehead. ‘Still my Poppy, beautiful as ever!’

Poppy grinned. ‘And I’ve got a boyfriend.’

Cadi’s jaw dropped. ‘Since when? And why wasn’t I the first to know?’

Izzy giggled, faint dimples forming in her cheeks. ‘Because she hooked him whilst we were on the train.’

Cadi shook her head. ‘Talk about a fleeting romance …’

Poppy was looking smug. ‘That’s where you’re wrong. We might’ve met on the train, but he’s going to be staying in RAF Fiskerton, same as us – he’s a mechanic, and his name’s Geoffrey.’

Cadi eyed her friend incredulously. ‘And he actually asked you to be his belle whilst you were en route?’

Poppy shrugged. ‘He’s asked me on a date, so maybe it’s a tad premature to be calling him my boyfriend, but it’s the closest I’ve come to having one and so, as far as I’m concerned, that’s what he is.’

Cadi laughed. ‘That’s my Poppy!’ She jerked her head to the row of taxis. ‘Unless you’d prefer to walk?’

Both Poppy and Izzy shook their heads. ‘We’re shattered,’ explained Poppy. ‘Our train was full to the rafters.’ As the girls headed onto the concourse she continued, ‘How’s Jez? And why isn’t he with you?’

Cadi relayed the tale of Jez’s new posting, adding, ‘He’s stayed behind to help Bill prepare the rabbit for Christmas dinner—’

Poppy interrupted without apology. ‘We’re having rabbit?’

Cadi nodded.

‘As in Peter Rabbit?’

Cadi looked at her friend in horror. ‘He’s not someone’s pet, if that’s what you’re thinking.’

Poppy smiled. ‘Glad to hear it.’

Trying to shake the image of Peter Rabbit being chased around the kitchen by Bill and Jez, Cadi continued with what she’d been saying, prior to Poppy interrupting. ‘Like I started to say, Jez is staying behind, and I’m glad he did.’ Cadi went on to tell the girls of Jez’s subsequent posting to Africa, finishing with, ‘So I’ve decided to tell Aled I’m not going to write to him any more.’

Izzy got into the back of the first taxi. ‘Because of Africa?’

Cadi slid into the seat beside her, followed closely by Poppy, who instructed the driver to take them to the Belmont.

‘Yes,’ said Cadi plainly. She went on to explain that she had decided to come clean to Jez, only changing her mind when she heard his news about Africa. ‘I don’t want Jez to start putting two and two together, only to come up with five. So I’ve decided to make a clean break – that way no one gets hurt.’ She shrugged. ‘It’s not as if Aled hasn’t got other people to write to …’ She glanced thoughtfully at Poppy. ‘Has he written to you?’

Poppy raised an eyebrow perceptively. ‘Nope.’

‘Has he known you longer than Poppy?’ asked Izzy.

‘Not really—’ Cadi began, but Poppy cut her short.

‘Not at all! Come on, Cadi, when you look at it, it’s obvious why Aled started writing to you and not me.’

‘Then why didn’t you say summat when I asked for your advice?’ cried Cadi.

‘Because it wasn’t obvious then,’ said Poppy coolly.

‘There’s no point in crying over spilt milk,’ said Izzy evenly. ‘The way I see it, there’s been no harm done, so why not forget about it and move on?’

‘You’re right,’ said Cadi. ‘I’m getting my knickers in a twist for no reason.’

‘You’ve got a conscience, and there’s nowt wrong with that,’ said Poppy.

‘Probably explains why Aled didn’t have much to say in his reply,’ conceded Cadi. ‘He didn’t talk about his life at all – only what everyone at home was doing.’

‘Odd,’ said Poppy, ‘especially when you consider how keen he was to get away.’

‘That’s what I thought,’ agreed Cadi, ‘but with the benefit of hindsight, his letter was small talk, as if he had to think of things to say. And that makes perfect sense, if he was only fishing for information regarding my relationship with Jez.’

‘Can’t blame a feller for trying,’ said Izzy.

Cadi stared at her. ‘That’s exactly what Aled said when we were riding the overhead railway.’

Izzy’s brow rose. ‘When was this?’

‘Before the blitz.’

Izzy’s brow continued to rise. ‘So he’s been after you for a while then?’

‘Yes, but I didn’t take him seriously – not at first. We used to be such fierce enemies; it didn’t occur to me for one minute that he might actually be keen on me. If anything, I thought he was teasing.’

‘Sounds like he’s smitten,’ said Izzy. She stared absent-mindedly out of the window. ‘I know you told me what the city was like after the blitz, but I hadn’t realised how truthful you were being.’ She turned to face the girls. ‘Do you think my old house is still standing?’

‘Possibly. Men like Eric seem to have all the luck,’ muttered Poppy.

‘Never a truer word said,’ agreed Izzy. ‘When I think back to the stuff I let him get away with, it makes my blood boil.’

‘Men like that lie, cheat and steal their way through life with no consequences,’ said Cadi bitterly, ‘whilst the rest of us seem to get punished for sticking by the rules and toeing the line.’

‘His luck will run out one of these days,’ said Poppy confidently. ‘What comes around goes around.’

Rounding the corner of West Derby Road, the taxi driver pulled up outside the Belmont. The girls chipped in their shares of the fare before alighting from the cab.

Poppy looked up at the grand façade. ‘Flippin’ Nora!’

‘It certainly makes the Greyhound look small,’ observed Izzy.

Maria came rushing out of the pub, a tea towel over her shoulder, and ushered the girls into a group hug. ‘I can’t tell you how good it is to have you all safely back under one roof.’

Bill stepped out onto the pavement. ‘Hello, girls. Come on inside and warm your cockles in front of the fire.’

The trio followed their hosts inside.

‘Where’s Jez? I’d have thought he’d be champing at the bit to see the girls,’ said Cadi.

As if on cue, Jez appeared from the hallway. ‘I thought I’d say hello in the warm.’ He grinned at them, his smile broadening as his eyes fell on Izzy. ‘By all that’s holy!’

Izzy blushed.

Maria nodded her head approvingly. ‘My sentiments exactly.’

‘That so-called father of yours should be hanged for what he did to you,’ said Bill gruffly.

Lowering her voice, Maria laid her hand on Bill’s forearm. ‘He’s still her dad.’

Izzy was shaking her head. ‘I’ve always made excuses for him, but that’s because I didn’t know any differently. Since joining the WAAF I’ve met lots of girls, and there’s not one of them who isn’t shocked to hear how I got my scar. I blamed myself for years, thinking that Dad was the one who’d been hard done by, and that I should have had more sympathy for him. He even had me believing I was lucky he’d looked after me.’ She gave a mirthless laugh. ‘That man brainwashed me into thinking I deserved everything I got, which was a wicked thing to do to a child.’

Bill gave a single nod. ‘Well said, that girl!’

Cadi’s eyes shone with admiration. ‘I knew your joining the WAAF was a good idea, but I didn’t realise how much it would change your life – until now, that is.’

‘Please don’t think I don’t appreciate what you, Poppy and Jez did for me,’ said Izzy firmly. ‘Without friends like you, I’d never have got away from Dad, and for that I’m eternally grateful.’

‘I’m glad you came back, but what made you change your mind?’ asked Bill curiously.

Izzy’s eyes glittered as she smiled at each of them in turn before replying simply, ‘I wanted to spend Christmas with my family.’

Maria blew her nose noisily. ‘Oh, Izzy, bless your heart.’

Izzy smiled happily as Maria took her in a tight embrace. ‘You’ve been more of a family to me than my father ever was. I know we’re not blood-related—’

Jez was quick to cut across her. ‘My nan wasn’t related to me in any way, shape or form, but she did more for me than my parents ever did. She was my nan and, as far as I was concerned, she was my family – blood or not.’

‘So blood be dashed,’ said Bill succinctly, ‘family’s family.’

Izzy gazed at the brightly lit Christmas tree that stood by the parlour window. ‘I’ve never had a Christmas tree before.’

Cadi’s face fell. ‘What did you use to do for Christmas? I can’t imagine Eric showering you with gifts or cooking a roast dinner.’

Izzy sank down into one of the chairs beside the tree. Admiring the many glass baubles that hung from the branches, she gently touched one with her fingers, causing it to spin gently, reflecting the light as it rotated. ‘In a word?’ said Izzy. ‘Nothing. In fact I’d say that for me it was the worst day of the year.’ She glanced at the paper-chains that hung around the picture rail of the parlour. ‘I used to hate Christmas,’ she continued, ‘especially when I’d see people hanging up their decorations or rushing home with their Christmas shopping, all excited for the big day.’ She tutted beneath her breath. ‘All I ever got for Christmas was a fat lip.’

Maria’s jaw flinched. ‘Then we must show you what a real Christmas is.’ She turned to Cadi. ‘Can you show the girls to the room the three of you will be sharing?’

In answer, Cadi jerked her head in the direction of the stairs. ‘Follow me.’

Picking up their bags, Poppy and Izzy followed Cadi up a flight of wooden stairs. ‘Maria’s closed the hotel for the holidays so that we can have the place to ourselves,’ she told them.

They entered one of the bedrooms and Izzy placed her kitbag on one of the spare beds. ‘Maria would make a great mam. It’s a such a shame she never had any children of her own, don’t you think?’

Standing at the window, Cadi looked down onto the street below. ‘My Auntie Flo couldn’t have kids – not sure why – but she’s another one who’d make a good mother.’

Poppy indicated the chest of drawers. ‘Are any of these free?’

Cadi nodded. ‘I’ve taken the top one; you and Izzy can have either of the other two.’

Poppy started placing her things in the second drawer down. ‘Have you heard from your auntie lately?’

‘A couple of weeks ago,’ said Cadi. ‘Flo’s still flitting around the country, but won’t say where.’ She glanced at Izzy. ‘Poppy used to think my aunt worked for the secret service.’

‘Still do,’ said Poppy plainly.

Cadi rolled her eyes. ‘As usual, we shall have to agree to disagree,’ she replied, before turning her attention back to Izzy. ‘Have you thought about what you’re going to do, should you run into your dad whilst you’re home?’

‘Not really. I suppose I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it.’ She eyed her friends levelly. ‘I’ve been thinking about my dad a lot lately, and the things he used to say.’

‘Like what?’ asked Poppy.

‘Like saying my mother had abandoned me, so that she could run off with her lover,’ said Izzy.

‘I wouldn’t waste a single second thinking about him, if I were you,’ intervened Cadi.

‘I can’t help it,’ said Izzy flatly. ‘You see, the more I think about it, the more I question why I ever believed a word that came out of his mouth.’

Poppy shrugged. ‘In all fairness, any woman who runs off leaving her baby behind must be pretty selfish.’

‘Or beaten,’ said Izzy. ‘Let’s face it, my dad took joy in knocking seven bells out of me, so who’s to say he didn’t do the same to my mam?’

‘Still no excuse,’ said Cadi. ‘If anything, it should’ve made her more determined to take you with her.’

But Izzy was persistent. ‘I’m telling you straight, there’s more to this than meets the eye – it just doesn’t sit right.’

‘Supposing you’re correct,’ reasoned Poppy, ‘how on earth do you intend to prove it, when you don’t even know who your mam is?’

‘I’m not suggesting I can do anything about it,’ said Izzy quietly. ‘What I am saying is that I think Dad was lying.’

‘I see …’ said Cadi and paused. ‘Joining the WAAF’s done you the world of good.’

‘It’s certainly been an eye-opener, and in more ways than one,’ agreed Izzy. ‘All those tedious tasks give a girl plenty of time to think.’

Poppy grinned. ‘You can do mine, if you like.’

Laughing, Izzy shook her head. ‘Thanks, but no thanks – I’ve done all the thinking I need to.’

Turning her attention back to the street below, Cadi watched the snow begin to fall. ‘It’s snowing,’ she told the others. ‘I do hope we have a white Christmas.’

‘I love snow at Christmas,’ remarked Poppy. ‘It seems to make everything that bit more magical, don’t you think?’

‘Especially when you’ve got a roaring fire to go home to,’ agreed Cadi. ‘They’re holding a carol service at St Michael’s later, do you fancy going?’

Both Izzy and Poppy agreed they would very much like to go.

‘I love a good old sing-song,’ said Poppy. ‘And carols are so much jollier than hymns, don’t you think?’

Izzy shrugged. ‘I’ve never been to church, so I wouldn’t know.’

The girls both gaped at her. ‘What, never?’ said Poppy, the disbelief clear to hear in her voice.

Izzy gave both her friends a sceptical look. ‘Don’t tell me you thought Eric a churchgoer? Crikey, I should think he’d burst into flames as soon as he set foot over the threshold!’

Cadi and Poppy both burst out laughing.

‘When you put it that way …’ giggled Poppy.

‘It’s a shame you’ve never been, though,’ added Cadi.

Poppy pulled a nonchalant face. ‘She’s not missed out on much. If I’m honest, I was never keen on going to church on Sundays: sitting on them hard benches, listening to Father what’s-his-name drone on and on about the same old stuff.’

Standing up from her bed, Izzy began to unpack her things into the bottom drawer. ‘Then why did you go?’

Cadi looked at Poppy, who shrugged. ‘Because everyone else did?’

‘You have to go to church to thank God for keeping us safe and …’ Cadi’s voice faded as they all listened to her words.

‘God forgives you for your sins if you go to church,’ intervened Poppy. ‘It doesn’t matter what you’ve done – if you go to the confessional, the priest will give you three Hail Marys, or summat like that, and all’s forgiven.’

‘And if you don’t go?’ asked Izzy curiously.

‘I suppose it depends on how bad you are, but our priest was always saying that we’d go to hell if we didn’t do as it says in the Bible,’ admitted Cadi.

‘So,’ Izzy began slowly, ‘if my dad went to confession, he’d be forgiven for everything he’d ever done to me and still go to heaven?’

Poppy nodded mutely. She had a horrible feeling she knew what was coming.

‘Do you think breaking into your father’s money box and pushing him down the stairs could be seen as a sin?’ enquired Izzy.

Cadi’s cheeks bloomed; she also had a feeling she knew where Izzy’s conversation was going and she didn’t like the look of the destination ahead. ‘The Bible says you mustn’t steal,’ she said slowly, ‘but I’m pretty sure you can’t steal what’s yours in the first place, and those papers were yours.’

‘And you only pushed your dad off because you knew what would happen if you didn’t,’ said Poppy. ‘You never meant for him to fall down the stairs.’

Izzy grew pale. ‘But I did drug him with sleeping tablets. I don’t think that can be considered the right thing to do.’

‘You had to …’ began Poppy, but Izzy wasn’t listening.

‘How can it be right that God would forgive Eric for beating me within an inch of my life, just because he went to confession, and yet if I don’t go, I could be sent to hell for trying to escape?’ Cadi opened her mouth to speak, but Izzy was on a roll. ‘And what about Hitler? Look at the evil he’s committing, yet according to you two, three Hail Marys – whatever they are – and he’ll be forgiven for everything.’ She frowned. ‘How can that possibly be right?’

‘It can’t,’ said Cadi simply. ‘But as my mother likes to say, ours is not to reason why.’

‘Well, it should be,’ said Izzy firmly, ‘because that’s sending out the wrong message.’

‘Only Eric doesn’t go to church,’ offered Poppy.

‘Neither do I!’ cried Izzy. ‘So what does that mean? That we’ll both go to hell, unless I start?’

Cadi looked into the far distance and at the buildings that lay in rubble. ‘I don’t know what to tell you, Izzy, I really don’t, because you’re right. All I can say is that having faith helps a lot of people; whether it’s misguided or not doesn’t really matter, if it brings them comfort through their darkest hours.’

Izzy joined Cadi at the window. ‘I’m rather looking forward to going to church. Will the priest be there?’

‘Of course. Why d’you ask?’

‘I’d like to ask him what he reckons God thinks about Hitler, and why he’s allowing him to do everything he’s doing.’

Poppy blew her cheeks out. ‘I think we’d all like to know the answer to that one.’

As Cadi settled down to sleep she mulled over the evening’s events, starting with Poppy and Izzy, who had quizzed the priest over his beliefs and thoughts when it came to God and Hitler. She got the impression the priest wasn’t used to people questioning him in such an in-depth manner and that he was rather enjoying the attention. When they had finally come away, Cadi had asked Izzy whether she was satisfied with his explanation, but it seemed she was still thinking things through, although much later that same evening, as they settled beneath their bed sheets, Cadi heard Izzy, her voice just above a whisper, offer up three Hail Marys, probably to be on the safe side.

On the way back from the church Jez and Cadi had decided to go for a stroll through nearby Newsham Park, so that they might have some time alone.

‘It’s good to be back,’ said Jez, ‘but even better to be with you.’

She glanced up at him. ‘You missed me then?’

He chuckled softly. ‘Like you wouldn’t believe.’

‘It’s not like we haven’t been apart before,’ mused Cadi. ‘What makes it so different this time?’

‘I worry about you more,’ replied Jez truthfully.

‘Why? Because I’m in the WAAF?’

He nodded. ‘Lots of people struggle to come to terms with service life, and they’re unhappy as a result. I wouldn’t want to think of you as being unhappy.’

She smiled. ‘You’ve no worries on that score. I’m loving my new life, especially now that I’ve mastered the art of driving.’

‘When I return I hope you get posted near me, so that we can see more of each other.’

‘It certainly would be nice,’ agreed Cadi. ‘We’ll just have to keep our fingers crossed.’

‘So what about me?’ asked Jez. ‘Have you missed my handsome face?’

She laughed. ‘As well as your modesty!’ She hesitated before continuing, ‘Of course I’ve missed you. But if I make corporal they’ll be sending me all over the country, and with Lincolnshire having the most airfields, it only stands to reason that I should come close to you at some stage or other, when you’re back in Blighty, of course.’

‘So that’s why you want to be corporal,’ teased Jez, ‘so that you can be near yours truly.’

Cadi agreed wholeheartedly, albeit tongue-in-cheek. ‘I can see you’ve got me down pat.’

Leaning down, Jez kissed her tenderly. ‘God, I’ve missed you.’

They may have been joking, but in a lot of respects Jez had hit the nail on the head. Losing Carrie had made Cadi aware how precious their time together was, and being promoted to corporal – should she be lucky enough to achieve that position – would give her more chance of being closer to the people she loved.

Leaning back from their embrace, Cadi managed to utter the words ‘And I’ve missed you too,’ before Jez pulled her in for another kiss.

Softly caressing the back of her neck as his mouth met hers, Jez kissed her gently, before pulling away. ‘When I come back from Africa we need to spend a weekend away together – but not in Liverpool, because we’re never truly alone when we come here.’

‘Sounds good to me,’ said Cadi.

Jez smiled. ‘Then it’s a date.’

As they continued walking, Cadi looked to the lake. ‘I love coming here, it reminds me of the time we used to go to the lake in Sefton Park.’

Jez slipped his arm around her shoulders. ‘I remember teaching you to skim stones.’

She smiled. ‘I got to be jolly good at it. I wonder if I’ve still got the knack?’

Jez looked towards the inky lake. ‘We’ll have to come back tomorrow and see.’

Cadi slid her arm around his waist. ‘It’s so peaceful. Where do you think everyone is?’

Jez stamped his feet. It had been cold in church, but it was positively bitter outside. ‘In front of a warm fire, if they’ve got any sense.’

She looked up at the stubble on the underside of his chin. ‘Is that where you’d rather be?’

He squeezed her shoulders. ‘Not just yet. I prefer to get nice and cold out here, so that we can snuggle up in front of the fire when we get in.’

‘I think I heard Maria say she’s got some cocoa …’ said Cadi absent-mindedly.

Jez smacked his tongue against his lips. ‘Now you’re talking. I bet it’s better than that watered-down stuff they give you in the RAF. That’s more like dishwater with a hint of chocolate.’

Cadi grimaced. ‘Sounds lovely.’

Holding her against him, Jez kissed the top of her head as they continued their moonlit stroll. ‘Where do you think we’ll be when all this is over?’

‘How d’you mean?’

‘Well, I don’t intend to stay on in the RAF, but I don’t think I’d like to go back down the docks, either.’

‘You’re a qualified mechanic – you could work anywhere,’ said Cadi. ‘It’s different for me. Once the war’s over, no one’s going to want female drivers, so even if I wanted to continue, I wouldn’t be able to.’

‘I know Maria would welcome you back to the Belmont,’ suggested Jez.

‘Only I don’t think that’s where my future lies,’ Cadi confessed. ‘I rather fancy the idea of a tea room, myself. Pubs are all well and good, but the hours are long and unless you’re lucky, like Maria, you could end up with summat like the Bear’s Paw.’

‘Sounds like you’ve thought this through?’ mused Jez.

Cadi rested her cheek against his chest. ‘It helps to look forward to the future, don’t you think?’

He nodded. ‘Definitely.’

Cadi gasped as the moon’s reflection appeared on the lake. ‘It’s so beautiful.’

Jez turned to face her. ‘Just like you.’

She gazed up at him. ‘Beautiful it may be, but clear skies bring trouble.’

Leaning down, Jez kissed her gently. ‘We’re safe tonight.’

Wrapping her arms around his waist, Cadi nuzzled her cheek against his chest. ‘How can you be sure?’

‘Because even the Luftwaffe can’t spoil this Christmas.’

She glanced up at him. ‘Why? What’s so special about this Christmas?’

‘It’s our first Christmas as an engaged couple, and the last one before I go overseas.’

Cadi listened to his heart beating steadily in his chest. ‘I wish you weren’t going.’

Jez squeezed her gently. ‘Me too, but someone’s got to go. We’ll not win the war if we can’t get our boys off the ground.’

‘And are you certain they’ll be sending you straight back?’

‘That’s what they’ve said.’

Cadi snuggled against him. ‘I’m missing you already, and you haven’t even gone.’

Jez leaned back from their embrace. ‘If I could, I’d marry you tomorrow …’

Cadi shook her head. ‘That’s what people do when they think they’re not coming home.’ With tears forming in her eyes, she closed her lids as Jez kissed the tip of her nose.

‘Wild horses couldn’t keep me from coming home to my Cadi.’

She gave him a wobbly smile. ‘Glad to hear it.’

Placing his arm back around her shoulders, Jez led her alongside the lake. ‘You’re my Welsh rarebit.’

Cadi giggled. ‘You do know that’s basically cheese on toast?’

‘Only more special, just like you,’ said Jez.

‘Ever the charmer,’ smiled Cadi. She sniffed the frosty air. ‘It really is awfully cold. I think we’d best go back whilst I can still feel my toes.’

Wrapping their arms tightly around each other, they had walked back to the Belmont, where Maria greeted them with a cup of cocoa. They had spent the evening playing rummy, three-card brag and charades. Izzy had had a wonderful time, and Cadi had enjoyed seeing their friend so happy. They were enjoying themselves so much that no one wanted to go to bed, and Cadi had fallen asleep on Jez’s knee as they sat in front of the fire, only to wake up in his arms as he carried her up the stairs. How she wished she could end every day that way.

Now, as she lay in her bed, Cadi hoped fervently that something would happen to keep Jez in England, because the thought of him so many miles away in Africa was more than she could bear.

It was Christmas morning and Cadi was wide awake. Looking across the room, she saw that Poppy too was stirring. Leaning up on one elbow, she gained Poppy’s attention. ‘Pssst!’

Poppy gave her friend a sleepy wave. ‘Mornin’, Cadi.’ Then, remembering what day it was, she added, ‘Merry Christmas.’

Sliding from beneath her sheets, Cadi donned her dressing gown as she headed over to Poppy. ‘Did you sleep well?’

Poppy stifled a yawn behind the back of her hand. ‘Like a baby. What time is it?’

‘Just after six.’

Poppy nodded. ‘Reveille.’

‘I still wake up at half-past five,’ said Cadi. ‘Kitty and Ronnie used to ask me to wake them early, so that they could get a head start on the other women in our hut.’

‘When was the last time you spoke to them?’ asked Poppy.

‘Shortly before I left for Liverpool. Kitty’s loving serving the officers in their mess – she says the food’s a lot better than the stuff they give us—’

Poppy interrupted. ‘Sounds about right.’

‘As for Ronnie, she’s still enjoying the WAAF, but it’ll be six months before she’s fully trained as a wireless operator.’

‘Blimey!’ breathed Poppy. ‘It must be a lot harder than driving.’

Cadi nodded. ‘Ronnie’s very clever, so I’m sure she’ll pass the course with ease.’

Izzy spoke, whilst yawning. ‘Is it Christmas yet?’

Cadi laughed. ‘It certainly is! Although it sounds like you could do with getting your head down for a bit longer …’

Izzy, however, had no intention of going back to sleep and was already up and walking towards them with her hands outstretched. ‘I got you both a little something. I’ve never done this before, so I don’t know whether I’m doing it right or not?’

Cadi beamed as she lifted the bar of scented soap to her nose. ‘You’re doing wonderfully, Izzy. I love it, thank you.’

Poppy opened the small bag of sweets and smiled. ‘Liquorice Allsorts, my favourite!’

Cadi hurried over to her bag and pulled out two small packages, which she handed to the girls. ‘Merry Christmas!’

Izzy looked up sharply. ‘Pan-cake! How did you manage to get your hands on this?’

Cadi smiled. ‘Sheer luck.’

Poppy looked up from her present. ‘A manicure set.’

Cadi grinned. ‘I was told it was an essential bit of kit for any WAAF driver.’

Poppy laughed. ‘It certainly is. I need a new nail file, after snapping my old one getting into one of the cars.’

Cadi chuckled. ‘You’ve got to stop locking yourself out.’

Poppy gave her friend a smug smile. ‘Only this time it wasn’t me, but some poor girl who was fresh off the course.’

Leaning over the side of her bed, Poppy pulled out two items. She handed the first to Izzy, who took it eagerly.

‘I must say, this Christmas thing is fun, isn’t it?’ said Izzy. She was carefully removing the envelopes that Poppy had used as wrapping paper, to reveal a tube of lipstick. Smiling, she looked from Cadi to Poppy. ‘You got me this because my father never allowed me any, didn’t you?’

Both girls nodded. ‘You’ve missed out on a lot,’ said Poppy, ‘and we think it’s high time you caught up.’

‘And you’re already seeing the benefits of make-up,’ noted Cadi.

Izzy nodded. ‘It helps hide the scar, which gives me more confidence in front of people I don’t know.’

Cadi opened her gift from Poppy. Inside was a photograph of herself and Poppy the day Cadi had been crowned Rose Queen. ‘Poppy!’ she gasped. ‘Where on earth did you get this from?’

Poppy beamed. ‘Do you like it?’

Cadi held it to her chest. ‘I love it.’ She turned the photograph, which was beautifully presented in a wooden frame, for Izzy to see. ‘This photograph was taken at the Rose Queen Fete. Every year they choose someone to be the Rose Queen, and that was the year it was my turn. My mam made the dress out of old sheets, and the roses out of lace doilies.’

Izzy admired the photo. ‘You look beautiful.’

Cadi ran her finger down the length of the frame. ‘I loved every minute of that day, but it wasn’t enough. I knew I wanted more out of life, and I was determined to get it.’

‘Hence the move to Liverpool,’ said Poppy, popping a sweet into her mouth.

‘And the rest, as they say, is history,’ finished Cadi.

Someone knocked a brief tattoo on the door to their room. ‘Can I come in?’ It was Jez.

Cadi called back. ‘Only if you’re tall, dark and handsome.’

There was a brief pause. ‘I’ll take that as a yes.’ He entered the room with a beaming smile on his cheeks. ‘Merry Christmas, one and all.’ He held up a jug of warm water. ‘Where would you like this?’

Standing up on tiptoe, Cadi kissed his cheek. ‘Merry Christmas, Jez.’ She took the jug and poured the water into the basin. ‘Is anyone else up?’

‘Maria’s in the kitchen, making toast and porridge, and Bill’s fiddling with the volume on the wireless, to see if he can stop it from crackling.’

‘Flippin’ heck!’ exclaimed Poppy. ‘Looks like we’d best get a shuffle on.’

Jez shrugged. ‘Maria said not to rush.’

Izzy took her towel, soap and flannel over to the basin. ‘Who’s rushing? I can’t wait to get downstairs and see everyone.’

Cadi handed Jez the empty jug. ‘Thanks for the water. Tell Maria we’ll be down in a mo.’

When they had finished their breakfast of toast and porridge, Cadi and Jez headed into the small parlour to exchange presents. Jez handed Cadi a small piece of tissue, which she carefully unwrapped.

‘Oh, Jez! It’s beautiful.’ She laid the blue glass-beaded bracelet on top of her wrist and Jez fastened the clasp.

With the bracelet in place, he said, ‘I’m glad you like it,’ before kissing her softly.

Breaking their embrace, Cadi looked down at the bracelet. ‘I don’t just like it – I love it.’ She pushed her hand into her pocket, removing a small package, which she handed to Jez to unwrap. ‘I know you said the bristles were falling out of yours …’

Beaming, Jez ran the new shaving brush over his chin. ‘It’s perfect, as mine’s nigh on bald.’

Cadi breathed a sigh of relief. ‘I did worry you might’ve already bought one.’

He shook his head. ‘Never seemed to remember, or find the time.’ He turned as Izzy entered the room.

‘We’re going to the carol concert in Newsham Park, are you coming?’

Jez looked to Cadi, who nodded. ‘I’ll get my coat. Are Bill and Maria joining us?’

Izzy grinned. ‘They certainly are. The veg is prepped and ready to cook, and Maria’s put Peter in the oven on low …’

Cadi grimaced. ‘It’s a good job there’re no kiddies living in the pub.’

A voice called through from the kitchen. ‘Are you lot coming?’

Cadi and Jez followed Izzy back into the kitchen, where Bill, Maria and Poppy were standing in their coats, ready for the off. ‘Those Nazis might’ve ruined last Christmas, but they aren’t going to ruin this one,’ said Maria firmly. She was, of course, referring to the Christmas blitz of 1940.

‘That’s the spirit!’ said Poppy.

Izzy beamed happily as she buttoned up her coat. ‘Nothing could ruin this Christmas.’

With the last person out, Bill locked the door to the pub and they set off for the park. Within minutes of leaving, the small group found themselves entering the gates.

‘It must be lovely living so close to the parks,’ remarked Izzy.

Maria smiled. ‘I’m afraid we don’t get to enjoy them much – not with the hotel on top of everything else.’

They gravitated towards a large gathering of people. ‘Good turnout,’ said Jez as he surveyed the carollers.

A man at the front of the crowd cleared his throat, then called for silence so that they might start the first carol, ‘Deck the Halls’.

Jez placed his arm around Cadi’s shoulders as they started to sing. Feeling his warmth, Cadi once again wondered how she would cope with him being so far away. The very thought made her lean closer in to him.

With the final carol sung, the crowd slowly dispersed, and they were just about to leave the park when Izzy asked the question uppermost in her thoughts. ‘Would it be all right if I went to see my old home?’

Poppy and Cadi exchanged surprised glances. ‘Of course,’ said Cadi swiftly, ‘but why would you want to?’

Izzy grimaced. ‘Morbid curiosity?’

‘I’d have thought you’d want to leave that place as far behind you as you could,’ said Poppy.

‘I do, but I’ve been thinking about this all night. You see, the last time I was there I ran away.’

Bill frowned. ‘Exactly, so why go back?’

‘I say I’ve changed, and I say I’m not scared of Dad, but that’s easy to say when you think you’re never going to run into him again. I want to prove to myself that I don’t fear him any more.’

Cadi puffed out her cheeks. ‘Do you not think it’s best to leave sleeping dogs lie?’

‘Or, if you really feel you have to, go another day,’ reasoned Maria.

‘If I go now, while the pubs are still shut, I know Dad won’t be leathered, and I want him to hear every word I have to say, while sober,’ explained Izzy.

‘You’re thinking of confronting him?’ asked Poppy, her eyes growing wide.

Izzy nodded. ‘How can I prove I’m not scared of him if I don’t even see him?’

‘Well, you’re certainly not going on your own,’ said Cadi firmly.

Izzy arched a single eyebrow. ‘It won’t be the same if I have all my friends around me.’

‘You don’t have to prove anything to anyone,’ said Cadi.

‘If I’m really going to leave my past behind, then I need to do this,’ said Izzy plainly.

Jez pushed his hands into his pockets. ‘I can see why you don’t want us going along en masse, as it were, but why not let me tag along?’

Maria put her thoughts across. ‘Being away from your father’s obviously done you the world of good, but you seem to have forgotten quite how nasty he can be.’

Izzy’s brow shot towards her hairline. She pointed a finger at the scar that ran high on her cheekbone. ‘Believe you me, I could never forget how violent my father can be, because he left me with a permanent reminder. But men like him are bullies who cower when someone stands up to them – and I want to prove to myself, as well as him, that I am that someone.’

Cadi intervened. ‘How about if Jez walks you down to the corner of your road and then stands back? You could go and see your father on your own …’

‘But Jez would still be there.’

‘But Eric wouldn’t know that, would he?’ said Poppy reasonably.

‘And we’d all feel a lot better knowing you had help nearby, should you need it,’ confirmed Maria.

Izzy turned to Jez. ‘Do you promise to let me go to the house on my own?’

He nodded solemnly. ‘I’ll do whatever you want.’

She turned to the others. ‘Thanks for letting me do this. I know it must seem like I’m courting danger, but it’s the opposite – or it is for me, at any rate. Once I’ve spoken to Dad, explained that he can’t touch me any more, I know I’ll feel better for it.’

Cadi embraced Izzy. ‘Just make sure you take care of yourself, and if it looks like things are getting iffy, or if Eric’s three sheets to the wind, walk away.’

‘I promise.’

Jez gestured towards the park gates. ‘Best to strike while the iron’s hot.’

Izzy turned to the others. ‘I promise to be sensible, and do try not to worry, I know my father better than you think.’

With that being said, the pair strolled out of the park, with Maria calling after them, ‘Don’t forget, dinner will be served at one o’clock sharp.’

Waving a hand of acknowledgement, Izzy turned to Jez. ‘Do you understand why I have to do this?’

Pushing his bottom lip out, Jez hazarded a guess. ‘It sounds like you’re laying your ghosts to rest?’

She nodded. ‘Precisely.’

‘And you’re doing it on your terms,’ finished Jez.

‘Yes. I’d hate to bump into him down Paddy’s market, or taking a stroll around the shops. I don’t like it when people cause a scene, and I know Dad would positively revel in doing so.’

‘Draw a crowd, so that he can embarrass you in front of everyone,’ said Jez.

‘Exactly. Maria thinks I’m underestimating my father, but I’m really not. I know him well, and he only picks on people he thinks are weaker than him. It’s up to me to show him that he can’t pick on me any more and, by proving it to him, I can also prove it to myself.’

Jez looked at her quizzically. ‘What if Eric doesn’t wait to hear what you have to say, but ploughs in, fists first?’

Izzy gave him a reassuring smile. ‘He won’t – trust me. Dad’s worse when he’s had a drink, but it’s only half-past ten. Even he doesn’t start drinking before the yardarm’s up.’ She chuckled. ‘He can’t afford to.’

Jez mulled over her words. The first time he’d had an encounter with Izzy’s father was when he had gone to approach Izzy at the bus stop. Eric had raced over and pulled her far away from Jez, before turning on him. With spittle forming around the older man’s mouth, Eric had warned Jez that he was to stay away from Izzy or suffer the consequences. Being only eight at the time, Jez hadn’t needed telling twice. But years later, when he saw Eric dragging Poppy, Jez had rushed to her aid. All it took was one punch, and Jez felt like he’d not only rescued Poppy, but had vindicated his younger self. He supposed this was a similar situation for Izzy. He eyed her curiously. ‘Has Eric ever picked on anyone equal to himself?’

Izzy laughed scornfully. ‘Only once. I remember it well. He came flying home one afternoon, scared to death because he’d punched some captain aboard a merchant ship. He was terrified they were coming after him. It was the first time I’d ever seen him scared, and I suppose I knew then that he was nothing but a bully who’d bitten off more than he could chew.’

Jez frowned. ‘It takes guts to hit someone like a captain.’

Izzy gave a mirthless laugh. ‘Not if you’re bladdered.’

‘Oh …’

She tucked her hands into her pockets. ‘He hates being a docker, but he’s too thick to do anything else,’ adding as an afterthought, ‘and too scared.’

Jez furrowed his brow. ‘Scared?’

‘He’s worried they’ll call him up if he leaves the docks – that’s the only reason he stays.’ Suddenly remembering that Jez used to work down the docks, she added quickly, ‘When I say he’s too thick to be anything other than a docker, I mean he’s not like you – cos you worked the cranes, didn’t you, and then you became a supervisor.’ She grinned apologetically as Jez waved a dismissive hand.

‘You’re right. You don’t have to be Einstein to work down the docks, and that’s why they pay the poor sods peanuts.’

Izzy remembered the large amount of cash they’d found hidden in her father’s box the day she ran away. ‘That’s why I can’t understand where he got all that money from.’

‘Not the docks, that’s for sure,’ said Jez, adding, ‘Cadi thought he might be part of a smuggling ring.’

‘Maybe – he’s got some pretty shifty characters as friends.’

Jez rubbed his chin. ‘I suppose it’s possible. I’d always assumed Eric didn’t have any friends, but if you’re right, then yes, he could be making serious money as part of a gang.’

As they continued on their way the pair mulled over the possibilities of Eric’s smuggling ring, and the feasibility of him getting away with it for such a long time. They were so deep in conversation that Izzy hadn’t realised how close they were to her former home. She placed a hand on Jez’s arm, drawing him to a halt. ‘We’re nearly there.’

He gave her an encouraging smile. ‘It’s not too late to change your mind.’

‘Thanks, Jez, but this is something I have to do, and I think you know it.’

He pushed his hands into his trouser pockets. ‘I’ll be right here, should you need me.’

Leaning forward, Izzy kissed him on the cheek. ‘Thank you, Jez, you’re a real gent.’ As she turned she found herself standing face-to-face with her father, who had rounded the corner, nearly colliding with the pair of them.

Snorting his disgust, Eric was about to pass them by, when the penny dropped. He backed up, staring at Izzy as though she were a ghost.

Izzy stepped towards him. ‘Dad?’

He pointed a trembling finger. ‘You!’

Izzy nodded mutely. This was not how she’d envisaged her first encounter with her father.

Eric’s jaw tightened. ‘If you’re thinking of crawling back, then you can sling your ’ook – you burned your bridges the day you nicked all me money.’

Izzy rolled her eyes. ‘I did no such thing; well, not on purpose at any rate. I only wanted what was rightfully mine, and once I realised my mistake I returned the money, although I sincerely doubt it was yours in the first place …’ She fell silent, because rather than listening to her, Eric was staring at Jez in horror.

‘It was him – he was the one who snuck into my house!’ He looked from Jez to Izzy and back again. With his eyes still darting wildly between the two, he backed away from them, his hand partly covering his mouth. ‘You mean to tell me that you’ve been together all this time?’

Izzy wagged a reproving finger. ‘Don’t you dare try and change the subject—’

But Eric cut her off. ‘Plottin’ behind me back. I see the apple didn’t fall far from the tree for him, neither.’

Izzy had had enough. ‘Stop trying to blame me mam for all of this, when it’s your fault she left in the first place.’ She walked forward, the tip of her forefinger inches away from her father’s nose. ‘I pity you, Eric Taylor, you’re nothing but a great big bully who’s going to die a sad and lonely old man, and all because you never learned to say “sorry”.’

Once again Eric didn’t appear to be listening, seeming to be more interested in darting his attention between the two friends. The colour slowly drained from his face. ‘It weren’t my fault …’

Izzy stared at Eric, open-mouthed. ‘What are you on about?’

Eric gaped at her. ‘Everyone knew your mam was a slapper – what was I supposed to think?’ Without another word, he pushed past the two of them, calling over his shoulder as he went, ‘If you want to blame anyone, blame her.’

Izzy stared at Jez. ‘What on earth was all that about?’

He raised his hands. ‘I haven’t the foggiest.’

‘Me, neither.’ She hesitated. ‘Do you think living on his own has caused him to go doolally?’

‘Maybe. It’s hard to tell.’ He gave her a sideways glance. ‘Do you feel any better?’

‘I suppose so. I got to tell Dad what I thought of him, whilst letting him know I wasn’t afraid of him any more, and that’s why I came.’

‘And you let him know you thought your mum left because of him.’ Jez watched as Eric rounded the corner at the top of the road. ‘Do you think you’ll ever see him again?’

Izzy shook her head. ‘No. It might have been different if he’d apologised and tried to make amends, but he’ll never change, I realise that now.’

As Eric strutted down the road, his mind was racing. Did they know? Was that why they’d come to see him? He paused mid-step, shook his head and said ‘Nah’ beneath his breath, before continuing on his way. He was letting his imagination get the better of him. It was the shock, Eric told himself, that’s what it was. A good stiff drink – that’s what I need. A shiver ran down his spine as he envisaged Izzy kissing Jez on the cheek. The very thought made him feel sick to his stomach. Anger welled inside him. Everyone made mistakes, and if he was right, he’d made his biggest one so far, but it was nothing compared to the one his former wife had made.

When Jez and Izzy returned to the Belmont, they found themselves the centre of everyone’s attention, all of them eager to hear the news.

‘Sounds to me like Eric didn’t know which way to turn,’ said Bill. ‘You obviously caught him unawares, which is why he tried to wriggle out of it by making out like you and Jez were plotting behind his back.’

‘I understand that,’ said Izzy, ‘but he was looking at me as though he’d seen a ghost.’

‘Probably because he wasn’t expecting to see you,’ said Cadi reasonably.

Izzy wasn’t so sure. ‘It was more than that, although I don’t know what.’ She turned to Jez. ‘You know what I mean, don’t you?’

Jez nodded slowly. ‘He was acting peculiar – even for Eric. He said summat that didn’t sit right, but I can’t remember what.’

Maria, who was busy doling out the vegetables onto the plates, tutted beneath her breath. ‘I’m not even going to try and work out what goes on in that man’s head. As far as I’m concerned, Izzy got to say her piece, and that’s all that matters.’

Izzy reached for the gravy. ‘And I feel a lot better for it.’

Bill watched as she poured the gravy over her potatoes. ‘It’s a shame Eric didn’t try and fight for you, Izzy. I would’ve, if you were my daughter.’

Maria’s brow rose. ‘If she were your daughter, you wouldn’t have behaved like that in the first place.’

Having finished with the gravy, Izzy passed it over to Bill.

‘Too right, I wouldn’t,’ he said. He poured the gravy sparingly, before placing the jug on the cork mat in the centre of the table. He looked around the seated diners. ‘Shall I say grace?’

Maria took her husband’s hand with a small nod. When Bill had finished, they began to tuck into the hearty meal of rabbit, vegetables, roast potatoes and bread sauce.

Izzy leaned over to Cadi, who was staring at her portion of rabbit, and whispered in a voice loud enough for everyone to hear, ‘Close your eyes and pretend it’s chicken.’

Cadi blushed as a ripple of giggles swept through those around her. ‘I know it’s silly, but it doesn’t help when Izzy keeps calling him Peter.’

Bill roared with laughter. ‘Is that right, Izzy?’

She grinned sheepishly. ‘She knows I’m only pulling her leg.’

Cadi pushed the meat around with her fork. ‘I keep expecting to find a piece of waistcoat in my gravy.’

Maria shot her a wry smile. ‘Don’t be daft. I took his waistcoat off before he went in the oven.’

‘Maria!’ cried Cadi.

Reaching over, Jez coddled Cadi’s hand in his. ‘Think of it this way. Lots of folks aren’t having any form of meat for their Christmas dinner. So when all’s said and done, you’re quite lucky really.’

Before she could talk herself out of it, Cadi took a bite of the meat and tried not to laugh as everyone stared to see her reaction. Swallowing, Cadi smiled graciously at Maria. ‘It’s lovely – you’ve done us proud.’ She then turned to Jez. ‘And you’re right: we are lucky.’

Bill rested his fork against the plate. ‘In my day, rabbit was considered good fare; it’s funny how things change.’

‘Sign of the times,’ agreed Maria.

‘Does anyone else keep expecting to hear moaning Minnie go off at any second, because I do,’ said Poppy. ‘They did it last year and I’m kind of expecting them to do it again, just to see if they can break our morale.’

Bill hesitated, a glass of beer poised before his lips. ‘They’ll never break our morale, and do you know why?’

Shaking her head, Poppy looked at him expectantly. ‘No, why?’

He rested his glass on the table. ‘Because we’ve got summat worth fighting for, and that’s why we’re going to win this war – it might take time, but we will win, especially now that America’s joined us.’

Cadi, having eaten all of her rabbit first, so as to get it out of the way, reached for the pepper cellar. ‘May God forgive me, but targeting Pearl Harbor was the best thing the Japanese did, because if they hadn’t, I don’t know what would’ve happened.’

‘And once we’ve solved the engine troubles in Africa, our boys will be back in the air, doing us proud, and we’ll get the job done in half the time,’ conceded Jez.

Maria glanced at him from across the table. ‘You make it sound easy.’

He grinned. ‘When I know I’ve got this one waiting for me,’ taking Cadi’s hand in his, he kissed the back of her knuckles, ‘it’ll take more than some silly engine to stop me.’

Bill raised his glass. ‘To our boys in Air Force blue.’

Raising their glasses, they all echoed his toast.

Placing her glass back on the table, Cadi eyed Jez as he continued to eat his dinner. She had no doubt that he would solve the problems they were having in Africa. Cadi’s concern was the long sea voyage. That was when Jez would be in real danger.

It was 2 January 1942 and Cadi stood on the platform with Jez, Poppy and Izzy.

‘It’s gone too fast,’ murmured Cadi.

Jez pulled her close, so that he was resting his chin against the top of her head. ‘Time always flies when you’re having fun.’

Cadi tightened her grip around his waist. ‘Are you sure you have to go to Africa?’

Jez drew a deep breath before letting it out. ‘I’m afraid so, queen – unless someone solves the problem in the meantime, of course.’

Cadi crossed her fingers. ‘Let’s hope they do.’

Poppy rubbed Cadi’s back soothingly. ‘He’ll be back before you know it, Cadi.’

Lifting her head from Jez’s chest, Cadi gazed at Poppy. ‘I wish I was getting a few extra days, like you and Izzy.’

‘We arrived after you,’ Izzy reminded her, ‘ergo we leave later too.’

Cadi’s eyelids fluttered as she heard the train pull into the platform behind her. ‘Trust it to be on time, for once,’ she murmured softly.

Jez kissed the top of her head. ‘Poppy’s right: it’s not going to be for ever, and the sooner I get there, the quicker I’ll be back.’

Worried that looking at Jez might cause her to lose control of her emotions, Cadi continued to rest her cheek against his chest whilst looking at Poppy and Izzy, both of whom were eyeing her sympathetically.

‘How about we meet up for a forty-eight in a couple of months?’ suggested Poppy.

Cadi smiled. ‘That’d be nice.’

Jez gave her another squeeze. ‘There you go. It’s good to have summat to look forward to.’

Watching the other people as they began to board the train, Cadi sighed. ‘I suppose I’d best get myself a seat – it looks pretty busy.’

Leaning back from their embrace, Jez kissed her goodbye, whilst Izzy and Poppy turned their attention to the train, in a bid to appear discreet.

Melting into his arms, Cadi wished their kiss would never end, but the guard brought her back to the present when he blew his whistle. Taking Cadi by the hand, Jez led her over to the train, with Izzy and Poppy.

‘I hate goodbyes.’ mumbled Jez as they stood outside one of the carriages.

Cadi slipped her hand from his so that she might embrace her friends. Smiling brightly, she tried to hide the emotion in her voice. ‘I’ll telephone the Belmont as soon as I get back to base.’ She turned to Jez – she had been determined she would stay strong and board the train, but her strength deserted her as soon as her gaze settled into his deep-brown eyes. Dropping her bag, she rushed into his arms and studied his face; she wanted to remember every inch, from his laughter lines to the dimples that formed whenever Jez smiled. Gulping back the tears, she smiled weakly.

‘I love you so much, Jeremy Thomas.’

Kissing her gently, Jez squeezed her tightly before letting her go. ‘And I love you too, Cadi Williams.’ He cleared his throat as his emotions threatened to get the better of him. ‘Now, get you gone before I run away with you.’

Nodding, she picked up her bag and boarded the train without so much as a backward glance. Heading for the nearest carriage with a window seat, she quickly stowed her bag, then searched for her friends on the platform. Seeing Jez with his arms around Poppy and Izzy as they stared up at her, teary-eyed, Cadi dabbed away her own tears with the handkerchief that Bill and Maria had given her for Christmas. The guard blew his whistle and the train inched its way forward. As it began to build momentum, Cadi placed a hand against the window, mouthing the words ‘I love you’ to Jez, who shouted them back.