Phyllis hears how Eric's days drag on - 'The days seem to drag and drag and there seems to be no ending to this weary road. No house in sight where one could rest'.

Eric is left heartbroken after leave to see Phyllis is cancelled and he faces more wearying warfare.

'I am going to write just a little to let you know I am still alive. Why am I such an unlucky bloke?' - Eric sends a heartfelt message to Phyllis.

'I remember you saying in a very low, quiet voice, "Eric you mustn't". 'It was the first time you had ever called me by my name'.

Eric seeks reassurance from Phyllis as he asks: 'Will you be watching for me as the train comes past at the end of the garden?'.

As shells burst all around, Eric explains what it's like to be in full view of the German lines.

Eric is candid about Phyllis's love for singing - 'Phyl, I have told you before. I hate your singing, or rather your love for it, because it seems to be my rival.'.

As the pelting rain makes life wretched, Eric and Phyllis realise they can't escape the grim reality of war.

Eric is in sombre mood - 'Phyl, when will this cursed war ever end? Everything seems to be going wrong all at once'.

Eric ventures through the ruins of a town as machine guns fire around him.