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coming here.’
    This was too much to take in. Officers didn’t go out of their way to help recruits like her – unless they wanted something, of course. She eyed him with suspicion. ‘Why on earth are you doing this for me?’
    ‘It’s my way of apologising for such an ill-advised test. I should simply have asked you to look at an engine for me, but fun has been sadly lacking in my life for a while, and I couldn’t resist.’ He studied her expression and gave a wry smile. ‘Don’t worry, Rebecca, I’m not trying to seduce you. Not that I wouldn’t like to, but I haven’t got the time. I’m trying to help you because I was intriguedwhen I met you. I want to do this. Do you object?’
    ‘No, no, of course not. I’m very grateful.’ She breathed out a silent sigh of relief. She was too inexperienced to handle a man like this. ‘Thank you so much.’
    ‘Don’t thank me yet. The decision isn’t up to me, and you still may not get the posting you want.’
    ‘I know, but I’ll have a better chance now, won’t I?’ She gave him an impish grin. ‘A recommendation from a colonel must carry some weight.’
    ‘Let’s hope so,’ he said laughing.
    Their first course arrived. The soup was delicious, though Becky had no idea what it was. The wine wasn’t bad, either.
    ‘Do you like it?’ he asked when she’d taken a sip from her glass.
    ‘It’s quite nice,’ she grinned. ‘But I’d better not drink too much of it. I’m not used to drinking.’
    They were enjoying their main course when he asked, ‘Will you write and let me know how you’re getting on? My leave is up and I won’t be around for a while.’
    ‘Of course I’ll write. Where are you going to be stationed?’
    Without answering her question, he handed her a sheet of paper with an address on it. ‘That will find me.’
    The address told her nothing. Mail went to a central depot and was then forwarded on to the troops wherever they were.
    They enjoyed the rest of the meal, talking about anything but the army and the war. Becky had relaxed and was really enjoying herself, and was disappointed when it was time to leave.
    The driver was outside and drove them back to the camp. David opened the car door for her, and she shivered when she got out.
    ‘Wrap up warm,’ she told him, ‘wherever you’re going.’
    ‘I will. Thank you for your company, Rebecca. It has been a lovely way to spend my last evening before returning to duty.’ He kissed her gently on the cheek. ‘I expect the Channel will be quite choppy this time of the year. Goodbye, and good luck.’
    ‘You too.’ She watched him get back in the car and drive away, feeling incredibly sad. He’d just told her where he was going: France.

Chapter Five
    Jim Prentiss leant his head back and closed his eyes, wondering how on earth he’d ended up on this plane waiting to throw himself out into thin air. He wanted tanks or even the Royal Engineers, but he’d been transferred to the paratroopers. It had all happened so quickly he couldn’t be sure how it had come about. One minute he’d been tackling a tough assault course and thoroughly enjoying the challenge, and before he’d got his breath back he’d been practising a parachute landing.
    He opened his eyes and glanced along the row of men. The noise from the engines made it impossible to hold a conversation, but the expressions on the faces told him a great deal. Some were white as sheets; others had adopted an air of nonchalance in an effort to kid the rest of the men that they weren’t scared. But they all were. Soon the order would be given and they would have to throw themselves out of the plane and rely on a thin piece of material to keep them alive.
    Jim’s stomach did an unpleasant lurch. Control your nerves, he told himself firmly. Run over the routine and concentrate only on that.
    The man next to him, Stan, gave him a nudge and mouthed, ‘Not long now. You all right?’
    He replied with thumbs up, and they