Christmas came, and while Ivy still received a present and a nice card, she couldn't quite ignore the feeling that things were not quite as she had hoped, following the rather disappointing reaction to the evening she'd planned at the beach. Yes, it had still been rather cold, and he still was sweet to her, but now Ivy wasn't sure what to do. She wasn't going to let it send her into a spiral though, she decided, as it had last time, she'd survived too much for that.

Also, it was very confusing, like when she was asked around for lunch on Boxing Day, like a real fiancée, and there had been a mistletoe kiss when no-one was looking at the bottom of Mrs Pike's garden.

Not long after, both of them would remember a kiss around the back of the Church Hall on New Year's Eve, at the Platoon's party. Odd flakes of snow were drifting in the air, and settled on their hair, just noticeable in the faint moonlight emerging from the clouds. It was one of the most romantic moments of Ivy's life, and she hardly dared say anything, in case speaking caused what still felt quite fragile to shatter, and break.

Neither did Pike, actually. It was strange – he did like kissing Ivy, and being with her, like they were that evening, having sneaked out for the approximately five minutes before either his mother would notice or Walker would take up residence with someone else – there had been about five girls back here with him already, probably getting up to rather more than just a kiss. It was the question of anything else though, that was still giving him trouble, and he couldn't possibly admit it, to anyone.

He thought of her, often, when she wasn't there, but if it was a real possibility, as it had been now, and probably could be again, if he gave any encouragement, he didn't want to. Well, actually couldn't. Not wanting to wasn't quite true, and there were still times when it definitely wasn't, but she wasn't usually there. Pike didn't want to think too much about why that should be, because that was too close to an uncomfortable truth…that he wasn't sure that he loved her.

Ivy had been through so much though, and she loved him. As Pike knew, it was a horrible feeling to be turned down by someone you loved, and he couldn't do that to Ivy, even if he'd had any idea what to say. Even Violet had probably found it hard, he remembered, but he considered it had been harder for him to hear.

As such, both of them seemed to make the decision to push through any doubts or confusion, and near the end of January, it was announced that the first contingent of Americans would be based nearby, and there would be a party, at the Red Lion, to welcome them.

'You really should ask Ivy!' his mother had said when he told her about the party. She seemed to have decided, that in spite of not being able to hear her, Ivy was a suitable potential daughter in law, and had probably started planning the wedding in her head.

'Are you coming too, Mum?' Pike asked.

'Of course,' she replied, with a quick glance over Wilson across the table. 'I wouldn't miss it for the world – they'll be just like film stars,' she added.

Pike did ask Ivy, and while she was pleased to have been asked, the decision she'd made had seemed rather more difficult to stick to as the weeks went on. She was still in love, but he never wanted to be alone with her any longer than necessary, and while she tried to understand – such things were not to be discussed, really, between men and women, she told herself, but shouldn't the problem resolve itself?

A little more time, that should be all that was needed, but nothing she did seemed to make much difference. She was increasingly concerned, embarrassed and disappointed when they went out now, but maybe an evening out with the Americans would make all the difference, so she made sure to do her hair nicely, and wear her best dress.

As it turned out, the proposed Anglo-American party was not a success. Various misunderstandings, a certain disregard for Britain's struggles over the past nearly two and a half years and a lack of beer all contributed to a rather dispiriting evening for all concerned – at least, for the men of the Walmington on Sea platoon. The Americans were having a great time, and having taken Colonel Schlutz at his word, immediately set about making themselves at home – with every woman there. Even Walker was heard to comment that the war had taken a very nasty turn.

Taking a seat next to Ivy, was a young man from Maine. She turned, and even years later, would tell herself that she hadn't meant to fall for someone else, but she did. Ted had been a logger, and was a tall, strong man that evidently spent most of his life outdoors. Being foreign, Ivy found she did actually have to speak up for him to understand and was soon surprising audible. She didn't notice the way the other women swarmed around the Americans, or at least their silk stockings, or care when they giggled somewhat inappropriately at tales of bears or listened wide eyed to claims that at least half of them were either cowboys or Hollywood extras.

She only listened to Ted. To stories of a small village in a forest by a lake, and in the other direction, the road to a much wilder, stormier Atlantic than the one she knew. It felt like her dream of seeing the world was coming true, and she knew then, that she was right. She couldn't wait for what she wanted. It was a dangerous, unpredictable time that they lived in, and she couldn't spend the possibly short time she had left waiting for someone who, she now had to admit, would never love her like she had loved him.

Pike looked over then and saw Ivy next to Ted. It was an odd mix of emotions, but mainly panic. Someone had taken something of his, and in that moment, it felt to Pike like he was six years old again, and another child had taken the toy he wanted. It didn't matter, to use the same analogy, that it wasn't his favourite, or that he didn't always want it, he didn't want it taken, either. But what could he do? She was ignoring him – even told him to go away.

Looking around, he found the answer.

'Mum!' No response, just giggling at something apparently funny that one of the other Americans had said. 'Mum!'

'Oh, Frank, what on Earth is it?' His mother sounded somewhat exasperated at the interruption.

Not to be deterred, Pike continued. 'Mum, he's clinging to my Ivy!'

Mrs Pike however, rather dismissed his concerns in a way that almost never happened – his mother never ignored him – just because some American was talking to her. Well, in that case, he'd have to do something about it himself, Pike decided.

Afterwards, he could never quite understand why he said it as he did. It was easier not to have make the decision himself, but looking back, it wasn't a nice way to break up with someone. Violet had been rather more considerate than he was, and he wasn't proud of that. But in that moment, it was important to show the other men that it was his decision, that he was the one in charge, and so he stood right up at the bar in front of everyone and told Ivy he didn't want to see her again.

It didn't look like she'd noticed, but she did. Even as she smiled at Ted, she heard what Pike said, and knew that in a way it was deserved, but it also felt like a release. For both of them.

Things went from bad to worse that evening, ending with a punch up on the front page of the Eastbourne Gazette, thanks to a certain Welsh correspondent, but for Pike and Ivy, there were other things to think about.

It was only some weeks later, that he received a letter.

'Dear Frank,

I'm sorry for what happened. If I hurt you, I didn't mean to. I think we'll be happier though, both of us, because I think I was right that evening after we came back from Hastings. I don't think I'm the right girl for you, even though I wanted to be. I did love you…'

Pike sat down heavily on his bed, where he'd taken her letter to read away from anyone else, and once again, felt that weird mixture of disappointment and relief.

'I don't know how much I'll be around Walmington now, as Ted and I have been out a few times now. He's nice, and I hope things go well. I hope you find a nice girl too – honestly, you shouldn't have any trouble – just smile – that's all you need to do. You'll find her – or she'll find you. Who knows – maybe I'll send you a postcard from America one day?

Again, I'm sorry, and please come home safe, wherever you go.

Ivy.'

Many years later, Ivy did return to Walmington. She was with a party of US Veterans, including Ted, who were there for the 50th anniversary commemoration of the D-Day Landings. Unknown to her, she actually passed a lady in the Red Lion, on her way out to the car. At the exact moment, all those years ago, that her letter was being read, this lady, much younger, was passing out as a member of the Auxillary Territorial Service, with red curls beneath her cap. Ivy would have been pleased, to know her boy found his girl, and that they were still there that day in the car park, after all those years, in which she'd made a home across the sea.