The party had done her one favour. It had tired her out, which meant she had managed to get some sleep in spite of how miserable she was feeling. She had left the NAAFI after her dance with Ernie to nurse a head throbbing from too many tears, and must have been fast asleep by the time her friends had rolled in. But when she had woken around four a.m., she had found herself unable to drift off again.
‘Morning, traitor,’ Carol said, glaring at her. ‘Have fun last night, did you? You certainly got over that Charlie lad quickly.’
Bobby flinched at the mention of his name. ‘It wasn’t like that. Ernie and I are friends, that’s all.’
Carol rolled her eyes, then winced as the action hurt her aching head. ‘Oh, right, sure you are.’
‘Honestly, you should have heard him on the subject,’ Bobby said, summoning a smile. ‘He thinks I’m “a swell kid”, as he puts it, but about as sexually appetising as overboiled cabbage.’
Carol blinked. ‘Did he really say that? He only seemed to want to talk to you all night.’
‘Yes, about old times. We were swapping stories of mutual friends and talking about home. I mean, you heard us. I canpromise the conversation didn’t take any passionate turn after you went to dance.’
Carol seemed to perk up at this, although she groaned as she sat up straight. ‘So I’ve still got a chance?’
Bobby grimaced. ‘Honestly? I’m not sure you have. Like I said, Ernie can be terribly stuffy about certain things. He has strong views about drunken women, for one.’
‘Oh Lord. Why did I touch that gin?’ Carol moaned, burying her head in her hands. ‘If it wasn’t for Mike saving my bacon, that airman would’ve had it all his own way with me. Greasy little oik he was. My arse is black and blue from being pinched.’
‘I liked my one,’ Mike said. ‘Alfie and I made a date to go to the pictures tonight, if I can get a late leave pass.’ She grinned. ‘You know, where it’s good and dark.’
‘Does he know about David?’ Dilys asked.
‘Oh, yes. I’m always honest. He doesn’t mind a jot, as long as David doesn’t. Most men don’t.’
‘I’ve got good news too,’ Dilys said, flushing a little. ‘I got up in the night to visit Aunty, and what do you think had decided to put in an appearance? I actually cried with relief.’
‘Oh, darling.’ Mike beamed at her. ‘That’s wonderful news. Now, you and I will have a little talk later and make sure you’re ready for the next time, all right?’
‘I’m not going to hurry into any “next time”. I’ve learnt my lesson.’ She smiled shyly. ‘But I wouldn’t mind seeing some more of that Danny Carter.’
‘I’m so glad for you, Dil.’ Bobby stretched across the gap between their bunks to press her friend’s hand. ‘Did you send that letter to Richie?’
‘No, thank God, but you can bet I’ll be sending him one today. A letter to break it off.’
‘Good for you, lass.’ Carol crawled painfully down the ladder from her bunk. ‘We ought to get ready for breakfast, althoughI’m sure I’ll throw up if I try to eat anything. Mike, Dil, are you coming?’
‘I am.’ Mike climbed down too, and they headed for the door.
‘Dil, wait.’ Bobby stood up as Dilys prepared to follow. ‘I wanted to say thanks. Last night, when you spilled your beer to stop the men noticing I was upset. You were a real brick.’
‘Well, that’s what friends are for.’ She narrowed one eye. ‘Is that true, what you said to Carol about the Yank she fancies? He certainly looked like he was after you.’
‘Canadian,’ Bobby said, smiling. ‘Yes, it’s true. He was waxing very eloquent about how much he doesn’t and wouldn’t ever see me in any romantic light. I suppose my pride ought to be hurt by that, but to be honest I was just relieved. I hate it when romance gets in the way of a perfectly good platonic friendship.’
Dilys smiled. ‘You do talk strangely.’
‘Do I?’
‘I don’t know many girls who’d get told they were ugly by a good-looking man and say they were happy about it. Every WAAF in the camp’s dying to get their hands on that Ernie King, you know.’
Bobby laughed. ‘Well, he didn’t actually say I was ugly, although I’m sure it was only his natural gallantry that restrained him. But yes, I’m glad to know we’re just friends and nothing more.’
‘I suppose you must really love this Charlie, if even someone as good-looking as Ernie King can’t tempt you,’ Dilys said with a sad smile.
‘Yes.’ Bobby bit her lip. ‘I wish I didn’t,’ she said in a quavering voice. ‘I wish I could make the feelings stop just as quickly as Charlie was able to, and then the pain would go away. But I can’t. I don’t know if I ever will be able to.’
‘Do you think he ever loved you, really? Plenty of them say it, if they think it’ll get them into your knickers.’
