‘Funny you don’t say that when you’re out with your Home Guard mates.’
‘It’s not good for you, Lil. You girls can’t take it like a man can.’
‘Leave me alone, Tony, for God’s sake. You nag worse than a fishwife.’
Bobby felt awkward, not knowing where to look while Tony and Lil bickered, and Charlie was shifting uncomfortably as well. Luckily, the argument was halted when Tony’s attention was caught by a new arrival.
‘Heyup,’ he said with a grin. ‘Here comes a dark horse, eh?’
Bobby turned to see who he was looking at. George Parry had come in, looking bashful as he escorted a willowy blonde woman to the bar. She was somewhat showily dressed for wartime, looking proud and a little smug at being on the arm of the handsome former officer.
Bobby blinked. ‘Well that’s a turn-up. I didn’t know the captain had a lady friend.’
‘He’s a sly dog, keeping a corker like her to himself,’ Tony said as he helped himself to another of Charlie’s cigarettes. ‘Not bad, eh, Charlie? Could’ve sworn for a minute it was Betty Grable on his arm.’
‘Yes, very personable,’ Charlie agreed. ‘Not from the village, I think. You’d notice hair that colour.’
‘Who is she? Either of you girls know?’
‘Her name’s Veronica Simpson,’ Lilian said quietly. ‘She works with him at the department store.’
‘And they’re walking out, are they?’
‘I don’t think they’re what you’d call walking out. When I spoke to him earlier, George told me he was going to telephone her to make a date. That’s why Mary and Reg are minding the children.’
‘Could it be the children he’s thinking of?’ Bobby asked. ‘Mary was saying she was surprised he’d given up on courting, with two motherless girls. I assumed he’d never got over the death of his wife.’
‘No, I don’t think he has. Still, I’m glad he’s looking to find happiness again. He’s too good a man to be lonely.’ Lilian hadn’t removed her gaze from the pair. ‘She’s very glamorous, isn’t she? I wonder where she gets such nice clothes.’
‘Perk of working in a department store, perhaps.’
Lilian smiled dryly. ‘I bet her knickers never fall down in public.’
‘Oh, I don’t know,’ Tony said with a grin. ‘Maybe if Parry strikes lucky tonight.’
Bobby shook her head. ‘Show a little class, could you, Tony?’
Tony was too busy running appreciative eyes over Veronica Simpson’s curves, however.
‘Never would’ve thought Parry could hook a woman like that,’ he said. ‘I thought his type would be a librarianish sort, all oversized cardigans and specs.’
‘You might want to stop ogling the poor girl before George looks this way,’ Lilian observed.
Tony turned to give her a kiss. ‘Looking’s just looking. I keep my heart for you, darling.’
Lilian, partially appeased, treated him to a half-smile.
‘I’m sorry, Lil,’ he said in an undertone. ‘I never meant to nag. It’s only because I worry about keeping you well. Love you, don’t I?’
‘I know.’
‘I’ll fetch you another drink, eh? My horse came in yesterday so I’ve got an extra few bob in my pocket to treat you with.’
‘No, you’re right. Two’s enough for me. You have another though.’
Bobby beamed, pleased to see the row of earlier made up. As Lilian had observed, Tony wasn’t someone to whom ‘love talk’ came naturally, but he knew his wife appreciated it and tried for her sake. In his unpolished way, he was a bit of a romantic.
Bobby had barely drunk any of her sherry. She was worried the sweet, strong drink might upset her stomach, where Marmaduke was stirring. Her baby-related sickness wasn’t as severe as earlier in her pregnancy, but strong tastes and smells could still set it off. The smoky environment of the pub was unpleasant enough, especially with Tony chain-smoking his way through Charlie’s cigarettes right in her face.
