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one, the war in Europe is nearly over. There’s just mopping up to be done now. So I’ll be back in a few weeks’ time.’ Josie rocked from side to side and he drew her in close to murmur, ‘You must be patient and wait till then.’
    Trembling all over, Josie mumbled, ‘You should also know I’ve just turned fifteen!’
    ‘What does that mean?’
    ‘That I’m a minor and I could have you arrested for doing what you did to me. And I will be believed when I tell them how much it hurt.’
    Roy gulped. ‘But it was your idea. And tonight you said it was lovely.’
    ‘Yes. Now it’s lovely.’ Josie began crying profusely. ‘But at first it hurt so badly – I bled real blood.’
    Roy got to his feet and starting pacing about while Josie continued, ‘Look, love, why don’t you just forget about the army and stay with me. Then next year,’ she babbled on as she clasped him around the knees, ‘when I’ll be sixteen we can get married.’
    Struggling to be free of Josie’s hold, Roy spluttered, ‘Just a minute. First of all you demand that I marry you straight away. Then you tell me you’re not old enough to take your vows.’ Sheer desperation caused him to wave his hands in the air. ‘You were even too young to have led me on the way you did.’
    Josie sank to the ground again and began to sob, this time uncontrollably. Roy, not knowing what to do, knelt down beside her. He acknowledged that he did love her and in reality she was just a child who needed his protection. Drawing her into his arms, he murmured, ‘There there, my darling. I’ll stand by you and put everything right, but … I have to report for duty in the morning.’
    He stayed with her until the sun came up. The beautiful sun that signalled it was time for him to report for duty.

    Roy had just left for his combat calling when Josie decided that before he could return to her the mess she was in would soon be evident for all to see.
    So who could she turn to? No use approaching her mother, who never had been really interested in her or what she was doing. As for Paddy, he would be so disappointed that he would just wash his hands of her. Josie sighed before acknowledging the only person who’d ever shown her any kindness and understanding was Sally. She could turn to her. However, there was just no way Sally would be able to solve this problem for her. Josie reluctantly accepted that the only person who could help her was herself. Which meant all she could do now was to run away. Put miles between herself and her family. If she didn’t, not only would she be the laughing stock of the whole community, but people would also say she was like her mother – a slut!

    Even if her life had depended on it, Josie could not remember why she decided to go or how she got herself to Morecambe. It was true that Josie was not very bright, but what she did have was animal cunning, the most valuable of all the instincts, and this attribute meant she had the desire to survive at all costs.
    The first thing she did on arrival at the resort was to go direct to a vicarage and confess her sins to an Episcopalian cleric. He appeared to be sympathetic and non-judgemental, but then Josie had said she had been raped by a man she didn’t know. This explanation made the vicar realise he must put her in touch with a home for unmarried mothers.
    Mrs Coggins, the lady in charge of the home, grimaced when Josie refused to give any details of her family. ‘Don’t you realise, my dear,’ she simpered, ‘that this unholy war has resulted in not just tens but hundreds of young people like you asking for our help?’
    Josie did not respond.
    ‘So if it is at all possible,’ Mrs Coggins continued, ‘we require to be given the information that is necessary so that we can liaise with your family. Believe me, that is the best way to deal with this situation.’ Mrs Coggins paused to point a finger at Josie’s stomach. Josie still did not speak, even though Mrs Coggins was