Bobby knew her sister was struggling with the life she was leading. Struggling with her responsibilities as a mother to Annie, and her grief over Georgia. Struggling to sleep. Struggling to be the wife of a man who, try as she might, she found it hard to love.
Yes, perhaps this would be for the best. It would be better for Tony and Lilian’s marriage to have their home to themselves. Lil would be less tired without her father to wash and cook for in addition to a husband and child. No longer weary and harassed constantly, she and Tony might grow closer.
‘I wish I knew who this friend is Dad’s considering moving in with,’ Bobby said to Charlie. ‘It needs to be someone who understands… how he is. His nightmares and everything. And someone who won’t encourage bad habits either. He’s beendoing so well, I’d hate for him to fall into that state where he starts relying on spirits.’
‘He said it was someone from the Hart,’ Charlie said thoughtfully. ‘Maybe it’s Stan Henderson. He’s been at a loose end since his old woman died, and I did hear he was keen to move out of his place now his daughter’s expecting a second baby. He was in the trenches too. They could be good company for each other.’
‘Yes. Perhaps.’
‘It’ll be all right.’ Charlie smiled. ‘And now, Mrs Atherton, I insist you stop looking so worried and sit yourself down on my lap.’
Bobby allowed him to pull her on to his knee, where she treated him to a long kiss.
‘You should get promoted more often,’ he said breathlessly when she released his lips again. ‘I never realised these deputy editors were so amorous.’
‘That was to say thanks for spending time with my dad,’ she said, smiling. ‘He likes your company, and I know it does him good.’
‘I think he feels sorry for me,’ Charlie said with a sigh. ‘Poor washed-up Charlie Atherton, stuck at home playing housewife with his bad arm and his bad leg and his…’ He held up one trembling hand. ‘You know.’
‘You remind him of himself, I suppose. Don’t be offended by it.’
‘I’m not offended – not when it’s him.’ He scowled. ‘If it was anyone else, I’d make them eat their damn pity. But your dad understands.’
‘I’m glad the two of you have got each other to talk to.’ She looked into his face. ‘Do you talk? I mean, do you talk about the wars and your injuries and… you know, things like that?’
‘Not really. He just likes to share a smoke and read the paper.’
‘He certainly seems jolly these days,’ Bobby observed. ‘I’ve never seen him happier than he’s been since I came back from the WAAF. And he adores the baby.’
‘Being a grandfather does seem to agree with him.’
‘He’s always loved little ones.’ Bobby wrapped her arms around her husband’s neck. ‘I can’t wait until we can tell him about Marmaduke, darling,’ she said softly. ‘You know I don’t care what the baby turns out to be so long as it’s healthy, but with Ray’s girls and little Annie already in the family, my dad would be thrilled to have a grandson.’
‘Well, if it’s a girl then we’ll just have to start trying right away for another, won’t we?’ Charlie kissed her nose. ‘We can start practising now if you like.’
Bobby smiled. ‘I wondered how long it would be until the conversation took a turn in that direction.’
‘I do seem to remember a certain promise you made this morning. You can’t go back on your word now you’re a deputy editor, you know. It would undermine your journalistic integrity.’
‘Would it now?’
‘Oh, absolutely.’
‘Don’t you want to hear about my eventful day?’
‘I want to hear all about it, in…’ Charlie looked at his wristwatch. ‘…no less than an hour. Come on.’
Laughing, Bobby let him lead her to the bedroom.
Chapter 6
An hour later, Bobby was resting her head on Charlie’s bare chest in a state of complete contentment. His heart thudded against her, making her body shake slightly with each rhythmic beat. It was comforting to feel his heartbeat rippling through her, like… well, like life, she supposed. It seemed to soothe Marmaduke too.
Charlie’s attempts to make love to his wife weren’t always successful. Sometimes the excitement brought on one of his nervous attacks, curtailing bedroom activities. As long as she could be close to him, though, Bobby was content – and if his struggle with impotence in the wake of the crash that had killed two of his crew had taught Charlie anything, it was a slow and thorough enjoyment of his wife’s body that she felt privileged to experience. There hadn’t been any problems today, however, and they lay naked, satiated and happy in each other’s embrace.
‘We ought to get up,’ Bobby murmured, pressing kisses into the dusting of hair on Charlie’s chest.
‘Why? There’s nowhere I’d rather be than here.’
