"Don't sit around moping when I'm gone", Doris had said.
"Go along to the Nest. Go with Ada Blackley. She's always fancied you - ever since 1939 when she first saw you in your Air Force blue. Oh Yes! She's had her eye on you for many a long year".

Dan had smiled then as he remembered the 48 hour pass they'd both managed to get; Doris from the WAAF and himself from the RAF. He had only had eyes for Doris that day. And every day since.

Then Dan's old eyes had filled with tears, blurring the dear face. "Don't talk daft our Doris! You're going nowhere!" But he had known she was right and a cold hand had wrapped itself around his heart as he had tried to imagine life without her. ACW Doris Hunt she had been when first he saw that beautiful face. She had been his wife, his lover, mother to his five children and his best friend. His life. His world.

He had buried her three weeks ago. He hadn't left the house since that day. Now he thought he heard the familiar voice speaking to him. "Dan! Get yer overcoat on and have a walk to the Nest!"

So here he was standing outside the North Ealing Servicemen's Tearoom. He had never been inside without Doris on his arm. "Well? Here I am our Doris. What now?"

Just then the doors opened. There before him was a big jolly woman with an even bigger smile. She threw her arms around him, drawing him into her ample bosom.

"Danny!", boomed Ada. "What yer doin' standing out there in the cold? Come away in and get warm. Sit there. What can I get yer? Nice cuppa? Buttered scone? Get yer overcoat off!"

Doris smiled...