‘Aye, of course. Ida and I were at school together – not that that makes any matter. A neighbour in need would always be due a visit. I’ll go tomorrow afternoon.’
‘Not today?’
‘No, she’ll be busy receiving family. I’m told she’s expecting her daughter and the bairns over from Burnsall. Young ones in the house ought to do her a power of good.’
‘I’ll keep you company if I won’t be intruding. I’d like to pay my respects too, on behalf of me and Dad. Could we take her a little cheese or can’t you spare it?’
Mary brightened. ‘That’s an idea. I can bake it up into a cheese pudding for her. I’ve some stale bread from yesterday that can be turned into breadcrumbs, and a couple of eggs need using up.’
More cheerful now there was the prospect of providing solace to a troubled soul through the medium of cooking, Mary started gathering the ingredients for the pudding together, humming to herself as she did so.
‘What are your plans for today while I’m working?’ Bobby asked her father as they finished their breakfasts. ‘I’ll be straight out on patrol after work, so you’ll need to warm up your own tea, I’m afraid. There’s the remains of yesterday’s shepherd’s pie in the pantry.’
‘I’m meeting Pete in the woods up near Cockcroft’s Gill,’ her dad said, helping himself to another rasher of bacon. Both his appetite and his temper had improved greatly after six weeks of country living.
‘Oh. Well, if you’re going walking then you can take your dinner with you. It’s corned beef sandwiches. You know where the spare flask is for some tea.’ Bobby paused. ‘Is that the plan? You and Pete are going walking?’
‘Aye, walking. Mainly walking. Might bring you and Mary back a rabbit for tomorrow’s supper.’
Bobby shook her head. ‘It’s private property, Dad. Lady Sumner-Walsh owns that land. I wish you wouldn’t.’
‘She’ll not miss a brace of rabbits, with all her fine food.’ Her dad wiped his mouth then stood up. ‘You go to your work, Bobby, and leave me to mine. I don’t feel right unless I’m putting something on the table. I’ll see you tonight.’ He fixed her with a stern look. ‘And no dawdling at the pub with young Charlie either. Thanks for breakfast, Mary.’
Bobby watched him leave.
‘You’re worried,’ Mary observed as she collected Robert’s plate and teacup to put in the sink.
‘Well, it’s poaching, isn’t it? And Topsy Sumner-Walsh is a friend of mine too. I feel dreadful, knowing he’s taking game from her land without permission.’
‘He’s right though, she won’t miss a couple of rabbits. Your dad needs to feel like he’s doing summat, Bobby. It makes a man feel weak when he’s forced to let his women support him. Foolishness, I know, but we can’t change how God made them.’
‘It does help with his… his problems,’ Bobby said, flushing slightly. ‘He can’t abide feeling useless; it depresses him awfully. But it’s illegal, isn’t it?’
‘We all bend the rules occasionally. You’ve had your share of off-the-ration butter, haven’t you?’
‘Yes, but that was yours that you churned and gave to me. It wasn’t stolen butter. Besides, the Ministry of Food is so much stricter about that sort of thing these days. I want my dad to be happy here, but I don’t want him to get into trouble.’
‘Oh, Topsy would cover for him and Pete if they ever did get caught, no doubt. She’s a decent sort despite her funny ways. I’m sure she’d make you a gift of some rabbits if you told her you wanted them, although I don’t suppose that would be much of a balm for your father’s pride.’
‘Perhaps, but what if it starts to go further than poached game? I know Pete Dixon’s got bigger fiddles than rabbits going on and Dad’s desperate to be doing some sort of work.’
‘Rob wouldn’t let himself be dragged into anything really dangerous. He’s a sensible body. Besides, Pete’s a rogue but he’s not a bad man. He wouldn’t get a friend into trouble if he could take all the blame on himself.’
Mary was a good friend, but if she had one flaw as a confidante, it was in her stolid determination to see only the best in everyone. As much as Bobby would like to believe her dad’s new friend had his best interests at heart, her inner cynic – the one that sounded a lot like her friend Don Sykes – couldn’t help whispering that there might be danger in the association.
Chapter 5
Mary lowered her voice and tapped Bobby’s shoulder confidentially. ‘So, now that we’re alone. I understand our Charlie walked you home again last night.’
‘Who told you that?’
‘Got eyes, haven’t I? I spotted you outside, whispering sweet nothings to one another on the barn steps for a good ten minutes. I hope he wasn’t making improper suggestions to you.’
‘Very likely, being Charlie.’ Bobby sighed. ‘But it’s the highly proper suggestion he keeps making that’s been keeping me awake at night.’
‘You still haven’t given him a yes? Perhaps it’s a foster mother’s bias but I do believe he’d make you a good husband, in spite of his reputation. He’s ever so fond of you, Bobby. I’ve not seen him this way with a lass before, although he’s walked out with plenty in his time.’
‘How could I say yes? Maybe when things are settled, but it’s only six weeks we’ve been walking out and…’ Bobby dropped her gaze. ‘I’m so afraid, Mary,’ she said quietly. ‘Of what might happen to him after he goes. Of the war. Of the future.’
