‘You ought to see the doctor first,’ Bobby said. ‘I don’t know if I’ve dressed your nose right at all, George. I can go to the girls and tell them not to worry about you.’
‘No,’ the captain said, a little more sharply than he was accustomed to speak. ‘Sorry, but I wouldn’t want Scott to hear I’d been alone here with his wife. Besides, you’ve done enough rushing about today for someone in your condition. You can send the doctor to me when he’s treated your sister.’
‘Why did you come over?’ Lilian asked, turning to Bobby. ‘I forgot to ask in all the drama.’
Bobby thought of the news she had been so excited to share. What had seemed like the beginning of a whole new life hardly seemed to matter, now. She had no idea what the future would hold for her sister and Tony, after this.
‘Just for a chat,’ she said vaguely. ‘It wasn’t important.’
‘I’ll leave you to wait for the doctor,’ the captain said, getting to his feet. ‘Lilian, I’m so sorry again for all the trouble I’ve caused you. I’ve been a very selfish man, I see that now. I don’t know what made me act so rashly.’
‘Why did you?’ Bobby asked. She was tired and annoyed after the scene earlier, and in no mood to mind her own business. Andwhile Tony was currently top of her grudge list after the way he had hurt Lilian, the captain certainly wasn’t in her good books either.
The captain sighed. ‘I suppose I thought I could have my cake and eat it too, to coin a hackneyed phrase. I admired your sister, and I felt that if we remained strictly and carefully platonic in our relations then I could enjoy her company without violating the sanctity of marriage.’
‘It didn’t occur to you that feelings were involved as well as marriage vows?’ Bobby demanded. ‘That it was always going to be more complicated than that?’
Lilian shot her sister a look, but Bobby ignored it.
‘I don’t suppose it did,’ the captain said, his eyes fixed on Lilian. ‘Or at least, I didn’t allow myself to think about it.’ He approached Lil to take her hands. ‘I’d like to say I had enough decency in my soul to regret it. But when I think of the time we spent together, Lilian, I honestly can’t. It was precious, every moment. I thank you for it.’
‘You sound like you’re saying goodbye,’ Lilian said quietly.
‘Yes. I’ll make other arrangements for the girls after school. I suppose you and I must be merely nodding acquaintances henceforth. Neighbours and no more.’
‘You’re right. It’s the only way.’ Lilian summoned a watery smile. ‘But I want you to know, George… I don’t regret it either. Those memories are precious, as you say, and I’ll be living on them the rest of my life.’
‘And I pray with all my heart that it will be a long and happy life, filled with love. I’ve never met anyone who more deserved it.’ The captain hesitated, then planted a soft kiss on her cheek. ‘Take care of yourself, my dear.’
‘I know Veronica will make you happy. I’ll never forget you. Tell the girls I love them, and…’ Lilian bit her lip. ‘Goodbye, George.’
‘Goodbye, Lilian.’
The captain gave her a last lingering glance before he left. Lilian watched him go, staring at the door for some time after it had closed.
‘So it was love after all,’ Bobby said quietly.
Lilian started. ‘Bobby. I’d half forgotten you were here.’
‘I’m so sorry, sweetheart. What happens now?’
Lilian sat down beside her. ‘I suppose… I put it behind me. Keep it my special, secret little memory, like a lovely dream I once had, and try to muddle along with Tony. Try to love him if I can.’
‘Do you think you ever could?’
‘I don’t know.’ Lilian touched one hand to the back of her bandaged head. ‘I don’t know.’
A little while later there was a knock at the door. Bobby expected to see the doctor when she answered it, but instead it was Charlie, accompanied by a young man she didn’t recognise.
‘Bobby,’ he said with surprise. ‘You’re here.’
‘I am. And so are you.’ She cast a puzzled look at the stranger. ‘And, um, so are you. Well, come in.’
‘Is everything all right?’ Charlie asked, looking anxious as he followed her inside. ‘There’s a fur coat on the ground out there and I was sure I saw blood on the track.’ He clocked Lilian’s bandaged head and stared. ‘Hellfire! What have you girls been doing?’
‘Never mind that. You’re needed,’ Bobby said. ‘In the absence of a doctor, a vet will have to do. Do you know much about concussion?’
‘I know how to check for it. Why, has Lil got a concussion?’ He looked at Lil. ‘Have you got a concussion?’
