Bobby summoned a smile. ‘I’ll miss you, Tony. It won’t be the same here without you to beat at darts.’
‘Will you write to me? Tell me how Annie’s getting on? I won’t half miss her. I don’t suppose Lil’ll want any more contact with me than necessary once I’m off.’
‘I’m sure she’ll always want you involved with your daughter, whatever else might happen.’
‘Still, I’d rather hear from you,’ Tony said. ‘It’ll hurt Lil to write, and it’ll hurt me to hear from her. Tell me all about my little girl, all right? Don’t let her forget me. I trust you, Bob. You’ve always tried to do what’s right, which is more than I ever did.’
‘I won’t ever let her forget she’s got a dad who loves her.’ Bobby squeezed his arm. ‘Goodbye, Tony Scott. And good luck.’
There was a formal goodbye two weeks later, as Tony prepared to leave for basic training. The family lined up outside the cow house: Bobby, Charlie, Rob, Reg and Mary. Out of respect for the Scotts, Captain Parry had decided it was best if he and his daughters stayed away.
The situation with the Parrys had been resolved, although no one was sure what had been said – not even Lilian. All anyone knew was that Tony had called on his erstwhile love rival, and after he emerged, all plans involving relocation to London had been scrapped.
The official story was that Tony had secured a place in the Pioneers after demanding a further medical to see if there had been any improvement in his chest. No one except Bobby knew how he had dodged his duty years ago, and she had no intention of sharing it with anyone. Tony was doing the right thing now. There was no cause to bring shame on either him or, by association, his wife and child.
No one had been told that Tony’s departure also signified the end of his marriage. That would come later, when claims could be made of desertion or infidelity to smooth the way for a divorce. But it seemed to be tacitly understood by the people present today that this was what was happening.
Tony emerged from the cow house, suitcase in hand, looking bashful in his new uniform. Lilian followed with the baby. She looked as though she had been crying. So did Tony.
‘Now, Tony, have you got your tea and sandwiches?’ Lilian asked, fussing round him as she brushed imaginary specks from his uniform.
Rob laughed. ‘He’s not off to a Home Guard parade this time, our Lil.’ He came forward to shake his son-in-law’s hand. ‘Good luck, lad. About time you joined the ranks of the proper soldiers. You’ll miss your stripe, though, eh?’
Tony summoned a smile. ‘I’ll soon get another one.’
‘See you do. And now I’ve to find another mug to help me get my traps up, I suppose. You’ll be missed, son.’
‘Aye,’ Reg said, coming forward to take his turn at shaking hands. ‘I’ve only got half a ruddy magazine for next month, for a start. Going to cost me a fortune in freelance fees. Still, I reckon you’ll make a better soldier than a writer.’
Tony laughed. ‘Doesn’t sound like much of a compliment, Reg.’
‘Depends what sort of a soldier you make, don’t it?’
After everyone had wished Tony luck, Lilian handed the baby to Bobby so she could embrace her husband.
‘Goodbye, Lil,’ Bobby heard Tony whisper. ‘I’m sorry for everything. I hope… well, I hope you’ll be happy.’
‘I’m sorry too.’ She held him back to look into his face. ‘Do you have to go? We could try again.’
‘Would there be any point?’
She sighed. ‘No. I don’t suppose there would.’
Tony rubbed his eye rather gruffly. ‘Look after my daughter, all right?’
‘I will. Come home when you’re on leave. She’ll…’ Lil swallowed. ‘…she’ll want to see you.’
‘We’ll see. I’ll write when I get there.’
And that was that. Ten minutes later, Tony Scott was gone and out of their lives, almost as if he’d never been a part of the world of Silverdale at all.
Chapter 36
After Tony’s departure, things settled back into a happier routine in Silverdale, although there was a certain wistfulness in the air. It didn’t exactly feel like something was missing – Tony had always felt rather wedged into their lives here, as if he didn’t quite belong. It was more a sort of regret at the way things had turned out, even though everyone accepted it had been the best of all possible outcomes. It meant the Parrys could stay without the captain feeling he was rubbing salt in the wound of the husband he’d wronged, and although he and Lilian cautiously limited the time they spent in each other’s company, it nevertheless freed her from the unhappiness of her marriage. Still, she was quiet and thoughtful after the departure of her husband.
Apart from Lil, the wistfulness in the air affected Bobby most. She was the one who had been closest to Tony, other than his wife: his friend and colleague of several years. He hadn’t always been an easy man to like, but she had felt she understood him. She was fond of him in her way, just as he was of her. She was glad he had gone – glad he had decided to do the right thing and answer the call of duty, and glad he had set Lilian free. But she missed him all the same.
It was now 20th April, just four weeks before Marmaduke was due, and Bobby had never felt more uncomfortable in her life. Despite Dr Minchin’s assurances that she wasn’t expecting twins, she still worried about it. If it wasn’t twins, then why was she so darned big? There must be room for a football team’s worth of babies in her belly. If it was only one, he must be the size of a small elephant.
