“It doesn’t matter,” he replied. “I only know that you’re the girl for me. I knew it the moment I spotted you peeking around the door of that hospital room.”

They reached the guest house front steps. “I’ll say goodnight then,” he said. “I better not kiss you. That old woman is probably watching through the net curtains. But I’ll come for you in the morning, after breakfast, all right? And we can have the whole day together.”

“What shall we do?” she asked. “Do you have anything special in mind? A picnic?”

“Better than that,” he said. “One of the doctors at the hospital has become quite a mate. He’s got a boat, and he’s offered to take us out for the day. I thought that would be a different sort of thing to do, seeing as the only boat I’ve ever been on was a bloomin’ great troop ship.” He paused, looking down at her. “That is all right with you, isn’t it?”

“I don’t know if I get seasick,” Emily said. “I’ve never tried.”

“Oh, we’re not going out to sea,” he said. “Just cruising up the river, I think.”

“In which case, it’s a lovely idea.”

“See you in the morning then, my darling,” he said. “Sweet dreams.”

He gave her a civilized peck on the cheek. Then he opened the front door for her and blew her a kiss as he closed it behind her. Emily stood in the front hall, smiling.

CHAPTER TWELVE

In the morning, Emily came down to the smell of bacon frying.

“Good heavens!” she exclaimed as the landlady brought in a plate of bacon, eggs and fried bread. “Where did you manage to find bacon?”

“Ah, I’ve got a nephew who owns a farm.” The old lady smiled. “He sometimes manages to find a bit of bacon that’s not going to the government. And my sister keeps chickens.”

Emily ate with delight. She had just finished when Robbie arrived. “Was that bacon I smelled?” he asked.

“It was. Bacon, eggs and fried bread. Heavenly.”

“And all I had was lumpy porridge,” he said. “Are you ready? The weather looks nice and fine for our outing.”

It does, Emily thought. Maybe too fine. Not a cloud in the sky. “Let’s hope it stays that way,” she said. “The local people here would say, ‘Fine before seven, rain by eleven.’ Do you think I should take my mackintosh, just in case?”

“The boat has a cabin, so I’m told. Let’s take a risk, shall we?” He took her hand again. It felt more natural this time. She glanced at him and gave a happy little smile.

They reached the harbour and saw a tall grey-haired man waving at them. Robbie waved back, and the man came towards them. “I’ve brought her to the steps,” he said. “She’s all ready to go.”

Emily looked down at a teak motor launch. It had an outdoor seating area and then two steps down into a little cabin.

“Very nice,” she said.

“Emily, this is Doctor Dawson,” Robbie said. “Doctor, this is the young lady I’ve been telling you about.”

“The land girl, right?” The doctor smiled at her.

“At this moment, yes.”

“And how are you finding that? Hard work?”

“Very. But it’s quite good fun working with the other women.”

“Good for you. I’m afraid we’re throwing your young man out of the hospital. He causes too much trouble, you know.” There was a twinkle in his eyes. “So go and enjoy yourselves today. Make the most of it. If you take her upstream, there’s a good pub on the Cornish side. The Three Bells. They make a decent pasty for lunch.”

“You’re not coming with us?” Robbie asked.

“Much as I’d like to, I have been called in for an emergency,” Dr Dawson said. “I’ll show you how to work the controls. It’s quite simple. You can fly a plane. You’ll pick it up in an instant.” He went ahead of them down the steps, then held out his hand to Emily. “Watch your step near the bottom. They are rather slippery with seaweed. There’s quite a tide here.” He took her bag, then helped her aboard. While he explained the controls to Robbie, Emily went into the cabin. It had a tiny galley with a sink and cupboards, a fold-out table and bench and at the back a bunk built into the bulkhead with just enough room above it to crawl in. It was well designed and delightfully cosy, Emily thought.

“I wouldn’t take her out to sea if I were you,” she heard the doctor saying as she came back up the steps. “She’s quite seaworthy, but navigation with waves and current is a little more tricky.”

“Oh, don’t worry, Doc. I think we’ll be quite happy pottering around on the river,” Robbie replied.

“I’ll leave you to it then,” the doctor said. “If you tie her up on one of these rings when you return, I’ll take her out to her mooring later.”

He gave a friendly wave and climbed the steps, leaving Robbie and Emily alone.

“Let’s give it a try then, shall we?” Robbie asked. He sounded a little nervous. He stood at the controls and started the motor. It made a satisfying pop-pop noise. “Untie the rope, please, Emily,” he said. Emily reached out and unwound the thick rope. Once it was inside the boat, Robbie pushed the throttle forwards and the boat moved away from the dock.