Dancing at the Victory Cafe — Helene Wiggin

Welcome to the Victory Cafe, the deliciously inspired creation of first novelist Helene Wiggin. Belle Morton, who takes on the job of turning the fussy old tea shop on Market Square in Lichfield, England, into a cheerful cafe to occupy herself when her husband goes to war - and to support herself, since he isn't returning to their marriage at war's end - has fancy ideas about food and service: This is the only place in this cathedral town where soldiers - especially black American GIs - can escape the suspicious attitude of the townspeople and get not only a genuine welcome but a delicious meal.
Dorrie and Wyn, the waitresses, befriend three black GIs and are soon attending dances at the American army base and holding after-curfew parties at the cafe. Dorrie quickly falls for Lucky, one of the soldiers, whose friendliness and cool jazz music win her heart.
But the stifling village morality cannot handle an affair between the minister's daughter and a black American. Only years after the war's end, long after the Victory Cafe has closed its doors, can friendship triumph over the tragedy of the past.