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Thought so, she admitted privately.

‘And then, there’s that fierce intelligence I know you possess, which I want to encourage and celebrate.’

How? she wondered.

‘And I am so impressed by your love of history that I want to inspire it in any way that I can while I’m here.’

And when you leave, what happens then? she thought.

‘I will hate it when you leave,’ she said out loud.

‘Let’s not talk about that now. Let’s talk about your education in the world of art. Come on,’ he said, offering her the crook of his arm. ‘I want to show you something extraordinary.’

Valentina entwined her arm with his and felt the thrill of his warm skin against hers. It sent waves of shock and pleasure through her to walk with him; his limp pronounced but improving, and he was using a stick rather than the crutch. That frightened her; it meant he would be looking to climb back into a Spitfire soon and risk his life once again.

‘How’s your schoolwork?’ he asked.

‘It’s all right,’ she said in a lukewarm tone. ‘No one’s trying very hard. But I make sure I do all my homework.’

‘It will pay off,’ he said.

‘Not really. Papa has confirmed my engagement to be married to Lawrenz. The date is set.’

‘Oh,’ he said, his amused gaze clouding now. ‘I’m sorry.’

If you were really sorry, you’d ask me to marry you instead! she thought, and then let out an embarrassed laugh before quickly stopping herself.

‘Did I say something funny?’ he asked, sounding lost.

She shook her head. ‘I was thinking I could marry you instead,’ she said, instantly regretting her boldness.

She watched him blink in astonishment. ‘Pardon?’

‘I’d marry you if you were not already married. I’m sure my parents would agree.’

‘Er…’ His mouth opened and closed like a newly caught fish. ‘Well, Valentina,’ he began, looking baffled. She noted that he’d stepped away slightly, dropping her hand from his arm. ‘That is indeed some thought,’ he continued, trying to find that easy mood again. ‘But…’

Stupid girl! Now you’ve ruined it, a voice inside said.

‘I was only joking,’ she lied. ‘You look like you’ve had a terrible fright,’ she continued, to save him his mortification. ‘What were you planning to show me?’ she said, her tone suddenly too bright. She gave a childlike smile and placed her hand back on his arm, where it sat loose, without the former sense of proprietariness she’d imagined existed. It had been a stupid comment, and that was because she was still a child… why couldn’t she get that through her head? He did not view her as a woman, and never would, no matter what she felt for him.

He looked enormously relieved to be moving again, and off the topic of her betrothal. ‘Ah, now,’ he breathed and she heard the false note of joviality. ‘Let’s go.’

Peter led her to the door of St John’s Co-Cathedral. Letting go of his arm, she pushed it open. It felt rather final, like the final word on a topic he never wanted broached again. She could still sense his alarm; he was probably racked with a sense of guilt and possibly shame. She’d done that to him, when all he was doing was trying to return her kindness.

It seemed the spell of their friendship might have been broken, and she was grateful for the relative darkness of the cathedral as they entered.

‘Have I asked you if you have been in here before?’ Peter said.

‘I have, but not since I was very small. Our family worships at the nearby Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.’

‘I hear that’s been badly damaged,’ he said quietly, stepping in deeper from the entrance.

Valentina followed, feeling like she should tiptoe. ‘It is dangerous now to go there, so we are moving around several of the city churches.’ She felt like she should whisper, barely raising her voice to speak.

‘It’s a shame they don’t open up this marvellous space for services again,’ he said.

‘I imagine my parents might feel it’s a bit too grand.’ She drew in a breath of awe as she looked around her, taking in the opulent architecture and solemn air. ‘Did you know it was built with the idea that it could be seen from any position on the island?’