‘Can’t say I’d feel any different.’ Ernie turned to her, all traces of teasing gone. ‘A man goes through all that, it’s bound to leave him with a few problems.’
Bobby flushed. ‘It’s not my place to talk about it.’
‘But he’s good to you? Treats you right?’
‘Very much so.’
‘Then I’ll make sure he lets me buy him that drink next time I run into him. Sounds like the least he’s owed.’
‘He’d like that. Thank you.’
‘He knows, I guess. About what I asked you in spring.’
‘You mean the thing you’ve forgotten all about?’
‘Yeah, that.’
‘He knows, but he isn’t one to hold a grudge,’ Bobby reassured him. ‘Besides, you didn’t do anything wrong. I wasn’t his girl then – or at least, it had become rather complicated. I’m sure that now he and I are happily married and you’ve moved on, we can put it behind us, can’t we?’
‘Happily married?’ His eyes sought hers in the pale glow of the moon. ‘You swear to that?’
‘I’d be lying if I said marriage was hourly bliss, but… yes. It isn’t always easy but it’s always… right, I suppose.’
‘Well, if you’re genuinely happy then that makes it all bearable.’ He smiled. ‘I do feel cheated of my opportunity to kiss the bride though. I was a mite too heartsick to offer my congratulations when you came back to Ryland Moor after your wedding. Am I too late to claim it now?’
Bobby smiled too. ‘You aren’t too late,’ she said, presenting her cheek.
Ernie planted a gentle kiss there.
‘All the happiness in the world, Bobby Bancroft,’ he said softly. ‘I guess the right guy struck lucky in the end, but every time I hear “The Lambeth Walk” I’ll think of the first girl I ever fell for. See you around, kid.’
He strode back to the pub, passing Charlie, who had emerged in search of his wife. Charlie gave him a curious look, but Ernie only nodded in friendly fashion before heading back inside.
‘What did he want?’ Charlie asked when he joined Bobby at the trough.
‘To clear the air.’
‘If I’d spotted him following you, I’d have come out right away. I hope he wasn’t pestering you.’
‘He was the perfect gentleman. We talked, that’s all.’
‘About what?’
‘Just… things. I’ll tell you at home.’ Bobby took his stick and rested it against the trough. ‘Now stop being jealous and hold me, will you?’
‘I can’t refuse that, I suppose.’
When she was in his arms, Bobby rested her forehead on his chest and breathed his scent deeply.
‘I think I’ve had enough of other people,’ she whispered. ‘How about we say goodbye to the Scotts and you take me home to bed?’
He smiled. ‘Now there’s a plan I approve of.’
Chapter 11
Four weeks passed. Christmas came and went, and Bobby settled into a fresh routine atThe Tykeas she and Tony got used to the new arrangements.
Her morning sickness had ceased, but her clothes had become very tight now she had passed the five-month point in her pregnancy. Bobby had always insisted on cooking the evening meal, unwilling to entirely relinquish the homemaking role to Charlie. However, in the end she was forced to hand over cooking duties just to keep on top of her sewing. Most of her free time was now spent adjusting the waistline on her knickers and skirts, praying none of her circle would notice her thickening frame until she was ready. Trousers she had been forced to abandon altogether. Bobby knew she wouldn’t be able to conceal her pregnancy for much longer, but she was still determined to keep it secret as long as she could.
