He didn’t meet her eye, continuing to smoke as he gazed carelessly at the stars. ‘About what?’
‘You know what.’
‘Oh, that?’ He glanced at her with a hint of his old grin. ‘I’d forgotten all about that.’
‘You know that’s not true. I never meant to hurt you. But I did, and I feel awful about it.’
‘Ancient history, Slacks. If you must know, I’ve been engaged this past month.’ He took his cigarette out of his mouth, noticing her wince of nausea. ‘Sorry, is this bothering you? Should’ve asked before lighting up.’
‘No, it’s all right.’ Bobby swallowed as she battled the sick feeling. ‘The smoke in the pub was making me feel ill, that’s all.’
Ernie looked at her curiously as he stamped out the cigarette. ‘Oh?’
‘That’s why I came outside.’ She flashed him a weak smile. ‘I hope you didn’t think it was a ruse to lure you out here.’
‘If anything, I thought it might be an attempt to run away. You seemed very keen to pretend you hadn’t seen me in there.’ He smiled. ‘Thought I ought to corner you before we ended up dancing round each other in every public place in the village.’
‘So… are we still friends then?’
He took her hand and shook it in a frank, manly fashion that made Bobby smile. ‘You got it. Friends.’
‘And you’re engaged.’ She summoned her warmest smile. ‘Congratulations, Ernie. I knew a handsome boy like you would meet the perfect girl before long. Is she Canadian?’
‘No, one of your lot. A WAAF from Cambridge – Barbara. Pretty. Vivacious. The boys think she looks like Dorothy Lamour.’
Bobby laughed. ‘So not at all like me then. That’s for the best. You and I could never have suited.’
‘In some ways you’re alike,’ Ernie said. ‘She’s a smart cookie, and she likes to tell me off if she thinks I’m being “stuffy”, as you used to put it.’ He dabbled his fingers idly in the horse trough.‘She’s going to come to Canada with me if I make it through. Help me run the family farm.’
Bobby felt comfortable enough now to squeeze his arm.
‘I’m thrilled for you, Ernie,’ she said softly. ‘I’d love to meet her. Charlie and I can make up a foursome with you and show her the sights, such as they are.’
Ernie smiled. ‘That sounds mighty civilised. By which I mean, mighty British.’
‘And listen, thanks for being chummy with Charlie. He told me you offered to buy him a drink. I’d like you two to be friends.’
Ernie was silent, watching the water break the full moon into pieces as his fingers moved through it.
‘Doozy of a scar he’s got since I saw him last, your Mr Atherton,’ he observed after a while.
Bobby nodded soberly. ‘Flak during his last op.’
‘Anything else get broken?’
‘His arm was badly burnt. The nerve damage is quite extensive – that’s why they invalided him out. He was trying to put out a fire on the wing with his parachute.’
Ernie raised an eyebrow. ‘You mean he climbed out the hatch?’
‘That’s right. He saved the lives of his entire crew.’
‘Whoa. Brave guy.’
She laughed grimly. ‘Don’t say that to him, for God’s sake.’
‘Why do you say that?’
‘He has strong views about being called a hero when so many of his pals are dead, that’s all.’
