Prologue

Life became a bit flat for Tony after the excitement of the past few weeks. Izzie was now in an internment camp as much for her own protection as that of any national concern. Maria's security was now in the hands of a government department, and she continually made official complaints to both the Spanish Ambassador and the Foreign Office to find her mother, although of course she knew full well that her mother was now safe, but her complaints seem to have convinced the Spanish authorities that she did not know her mothers whereabouts.

The Spanish Ambassador had been subsequently called to the foreign office to receive an official complaint from the Foreign Secretary regarding the Spanish Government harboring Nazi spies in the United Kingdom, and for the next few months Tony continued to receive the amorous attentions of both Julie and her Mother, until one day Tony was called to the Admiralty to be informed that Tina had gone down with a troopship having been sunk in the Mediterranean by a Nazi U Boat. The few survivors had been machine gunned by the U Boats captain There were very only 14 survivors who were picked up by an escorting destroyer and realistically there was no chance she could have survived.

Room 44 was to be closed down as it had achieved the desired result, and he was given a months leave and told to report back at the end of his leave for a new appointment. All the members of Room 44 were to be re-assigned to new units. His parents were in shock and his mother in particular had become very fond of Tina, and had treated her as one of the family in the short time she had known her.

It was in the second week of his leave when life took a turn for the better when a knock on the door brought the glamorous Wing Commander Sadie Rowan back into his life. Sadie had heard about Tina's death from a friend and had managed to remember his home address, and so she had decided to visit him. Tony was glad to see Sadie again, she was a friend that he had missed when she had returned to her job as a Ferry Pilot. In his mind he had frequently mused over his recollections of Tina, Carol and Sadie, he had been fond of them all of them at one time or another had thought himself in love with each one if them. He had never been entirely sure that Tina had really loved him especially when she had invited him to meet other women, and by implication to have affairs if he so wished. Carol was dead, and right on cue Sadie had now surfaced back into his life.

Sadie's visit brought Tony out of his state of gloom, and mourning and even his mother showed initial signs of approval of Sadie and had somehow laid on a lovely tea in the front room, despite the limitations of wartime rationing. They talked for hours and Sadie was invited to stop the night in the spare bed room Eventually Sadie told Tony. "I would not have bothered you, but for the fact that I heard the bad news about Tina, and I have never really got you out of my system, and what you did for me. That was a wonderful night and frankly I wondered whether there was any room for me in your life again if that is at all possible now. I have dated several men since we last met, but no-one has ever measured up to you."

Tony looked at her and smiled I have had four women in my life. One was unfaithful, one was a spy, one was my second love, and is also dead and one was a beautiful WAAF officer, who by turning up to day has given me hope and something to live for."

It was after midnight when Sadie sneaked into his bed. She whispered "I could not sleep I am so excited to be back with you again. I have rally missed you, and our talks in Carols café. But most of all I miss that wonderful night when you made me a whole woman again. Sadie wrapped her arms round him and his heart beat faster as she cuddled her body up against his.