‘If he grows up to be a flirt then I suppose that’s only to be expected,’ Bobby said, smiling too. ‘But as long as he’s a good man, I can cope with him having an eye for a pretty girl.’
‘Or her having an eye for a handsome lad.’
She laughed. ‘If she does, she didn’t get it from her mother.’
‘I take great offence at that,’ Charlie said, flicking her ear. ‘I think there’s another Marmaduke-related worry you can put to bed now as well, after what I heard last night.’
‘What?’
Charlie brushed her hair back from her face. ‘Whether you’ll be a good mother,’ he said softly.
‘How do you mean?’
‘I heard how you were with your brother, Bob. That mix of tenderness and no-nonsense that was just what he needed. You reminded me of Mary.’
‘That might be the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me.’
‘I mean it. He needed guidance and you said just what you ought to say to make sure he got it. You were perfect.’ He kissed her. ‘You’ve already had plenty of practice in the maternal arts, Ican see that. And I can tell that no amount of other things in your life would stop you putting your child first. So no more worrying about it, all right?’
Bobby smiled. ‘Thanks, Charlie. You know, that was exactly what I needed to hear.’
Chapter 31
Bobby received a telegram from Jake the next morning, letting her know he had arrived at his barracks safely. She also received a rather longer letter from Kathleen a few days later, thanking her for her kindness and letting her know that Jake had been confined to barracks for a month as punishment for going AWL. This was lenient, considering. Bobby guessed the CO had been sympathetic when he heard the story of the two young lovers and imposed the minimum punishment. She was thankful Jake’s confinement would be over by the time his baby was born.
One Tuesday over a week later, Bobby woke rather late. Now she was drawing closer to the birth, Marmaduke seemed to have decided he might as well enjoy sleeping in. She was going to have to stop relying on him and start setting the alarm, or she’d never manage to get everything done. It would be a mere two months now until the baby arrived, and only a month until Charlie would be travelling to London to receive his DFC.
Bobby had seen Dr Minchin, and while he had reminded her there was no guarantee Marmaduke wouldn’t decide to arrive ahead of time, he had said there was no significant danger in making the journey. That was good enough for Bobby, who informed Charlie she would be coming with him whether he liked it or not. Major blitzes were rare these days, with only the occasional ‘tip and run’ raid, so she wasn’t worried on that score either.
She hoped Marmaduke’s new-found tardiness didn’t imply any unwillingness to come out. She was heartily sick of being big and sore and having ankles the size of oranges. As afraid as Bobby was of giving birth, she was beginning to feel the day couldn’t come soon enough.
Charlie’s side of the bed was empty, but Bobby could hear him bustling about so she knew he hadn’t gone to work. She pushed her feet into her slippers before seeking him out in the parlour. He was bent over the coffee table, writing.
‘Morning,’ she said, yawning. ‘Sorry I overslept. Have you had breakfast?’
‘Yes, I made myself some toast.’
‘What are you writing?’
‘A note for you. You might as well read it now you’re here.’
He handed it to her.
Don’t forget I’m seeing Roger Turner in the Hart after work so will be later than usual.
This was followed by some Pitman’s shorthand. Charlie’s skills hadn’t progressed enough yet for him to write the whole note that way.
‘What’s this supposed to say?’ Bobby asked him.
‘“I love you”. Doesn’t it?’
‘Not quite. You’ve got some of your strokes the wrong way round. What you’re actually telling me is that you vole me.’
‘Oh. Well, that’s close enough.’ He came to take her in his arms. ‘I’d better go for my bus.’
‘Good luck with Roger. I hope he buys the instruments.’
‘So do I. I’ll give him my finest spiv patter, quite worthy of a Peter Dixon.’
