With Isabella fast asleep in the pram, Romily pushed it over the cobbled surface of the square and saw a familiar figure coming towards her. It was Tony Abbott. Stanley spotted him at the same time and called out to him.
‘Well, well, well, look who’s come back to us then,’ Tony greeted the boy while patting Bobby on the head, the dog wagging its tail at top speed. ‘Just visiting, are you?’
‘I ’ope not. London’s the last place I wanna be, that’s why I ran away. Mrs Devereux-Temple says I can stay.’
Tony looked at Romily. ‘I’m guessing that might not be as straightforward as it sounds.’
‘You’re right.’
‘And how’s Isabella?’ he asked, peering into the pram.
‘Sleeping like a baby,’ replied Romily. ‘Which thankfully she seems a dab hand at.’
He straightened up. ‘I don’t suppose I could tempt you into having a cup of coffee, could I? I have half an hour before I have to be back at base.’
‘Are you going on a mission?’ asked Stanley before Romily had a chance to reply.
Tony tapped his nose. ‘That would be telling. All I’ll say is watch the sky early this evening.’
‘Coffee is a nice thought,’ Romily said, when Tony returned his attention to her, ‘but we’re on our way to see Dr Garland.’
‘Oh well, I shouldn’t keep you in that case.’ He hesitated. ‘Look, I know it might not seem appropriate, but I don’t suppose you’d like to come to a concert we’re putting on at the cathedral in Bury St Edmunds in a few weeks’ time, would you?’
‘What sort of concert?’ she asked.
‘We have a surprising number of talented musicians amongst the chaps and WAAFs who frequent the Athenaeum, so we thought we’d put something together by way of entertainment, missions permitting, of course.’
‘Are you performing?’
He smiled. ‘I’m playing the piano. But don’t let that put you off.’
‘You never mentioned you were a pianist.’
‘Probably because I wouldn’t go so far as to describe myself in that fashion. I’m very much an enthusiastic amateur.’
‘Can I come, mister?’ piped up Stanley.
Tony laughed. ‘I should imagine it will be past your bedtime, old chap. So how about it, Romily? You could bring Hope along as well. I know it’s not much to write home about, but it would be an evening out for you both.’ His expression now solemn, he added, ‘Especially after … well, you know … after Allegra.’
It sounded tempting to Romily. Very tempting. But she quickly checked herself. Her life was different now, she couldn’t just abandon Allegra’s child for the chance of an evening out. ‘It’s sweet of you to invite me,’ she said, ‘but another time perhaps. I would feel badly leaving Isabella.’
‘Florence would look after the baby,’ piped up Stanley again. ‘You should go, miss, have yourself some fun.’
‘Thank you, Stanley,’ she said curtly. ‘When I need your advice, rest assured I shall ask for it.’
He stuck out his lip, stuffed his hands into his pockets and shuffled his feet. ‘I didn’t mean nothing by it,’ he muttered. ‘Just seems rude if somebody invites you somewhere and you says no. I mean, I’d go if—’
‘That’s quite enough, Stanley. Now come along or we’ll be late for our appointment to see the doctor.’ She nodded goodbye to Tony and sped off with the pram, bouncing it over the cobbles.
‘Are you cross with me, miss?’ asked Stanley, running after her.
‘Yes,’ she said simply. ‘You shouldn’t have interrupted and butted in like that. It wasn’t polite.’
‘But it wasn’t polite to say no when Mr Abbott was being so nice. Don’t you like ’im, miss?’
‘Of course I do. Everybody likes him, he’s that sort of a chap.’
‘I reckon ’e likes you. A lot. And if—’
