‘Not yet. He had an interview for a clerk’s position at the bank in Skipton but he isn’t optimistic about it.’
‘Why, what were wrong with it?’
‘Oh, I’m sure he’s worrying over nothing,’ Bobby said vaguely. ‘Still, he’s right not to pin too much hope on it. He’s got no experience in that kind of role, and he’ll be a fair bit older than the other applicants.’
Bobby felt it best not to mention what had happened in the interview. She knew Charlie wouldn’t like her discussing it, and bringing it up would no doubt force her dad to dwell on his own similar problems.
‘Well, tell him I’m always ready to slip him a bob or two tocome trapping wi’ me,’ Rob said cheerily.
‘I will. Thanks, Dad.’ Bobby paused. ‘Does Lil tend to hang around when she takes the girls home? I was planning to wait, but if she’s going to be ages…’
‘Sometimes she stays for a brew while Ginger has a hold of the baby, but on parade nights she always comes straight back to make sure us fellers have got us sandwiches and whatnot. Doubt she’ll be long.’
Her dad didn’t seem to think there was anything amiss in Lil’s relationship with the captain, at any rate. Bobby felt a certain relief at this. Rob had always been fierce about protecting his daughters from male attention, both wanted and unwanted. He had passed that baton on to their husbands now, of course, but she was sure he would be alert to anything not quite right.
She smiled at her dad’s tunic. He had done the buttons up unevenly, so the bottom buttonhole hung empty.
‘Come here,’ she said, stepping closer to rebutton it. ‘Honestly, Dad, however do you think you’ll get on living with Stan? The pair of you will be going about in odd socks and with holes in your vests with no woman to look after you.’
He frowned. ‘Stan? Stan who?’
‘Well, Stan Henderson,’ Bobby said, blinking. ‘Or has the plan changed? I was meaning to ask.’
‘What plan’s that?’ Rob asked, looking rather puzzled.
She lowered her voice in case Tony was listening. ‘Your own place. Did you change your mind?’
‘I’ve not changed owt. I don’t see what Stan Henderson’s got to do with it though.’
Now she thought about it, Bobby wasn’t sure what Stan Henderson had to do with it either. She thought her dad had said Stan was the friend he would be setting up a bachelor establishment with, but now she considered it, hadn’t it been Charlie who had made that suggestion?
‘Sorry, I think I’m muddling two conversations,’ she said. ‘Who is it then, if not Stan?’
Rob rubbed the back of his neck.
‘Well, I can’t say just yet,’ he said. ‘There’s a question I need an answer to first. But if it goes the way I’m hoping, I’ll let you know on Sunday.’
‘It’s the wedding on Sunday. Gil Capstick and Mabs Jessop. We’ll be having our family dinner later than usual.’
‘Oh aye. Well, there’ll be time after for news.’
‘All right.’ Bobby adjusted his forage cap so it stood at the smartest angle. ‘I don’t know why there needs to be all this mystery though, Dad.’
‘I just want everyone together for it. Saves me repeating missen.’
Bobby might have pressed further, but Lilian arrived at that moment with Annie in her pram. The baby gurgled happily.
‘Oh. Bobby,’ Lil said, looking flustered. ‘I wasn’t expecting you. Let me sort the men out, then I’ll pump some water for the kettle.’
‘I can do that,’ Bobby said. ‘Least I can do when I’m dropping in on you unannounced.’
‘Well, I’m not saying it isn’t nice to see you,’ Lil said with a smile. ‘Leave the water to me though.’ She flashed her sister a significant glance, which Bobby could interpret as meaning she oughtn’t to be pumping water in her delicate condition. ‘You mind the baby while I send these two off to their parade. I’d better go and check Tony’s found his way to some clean socks.’
Lilian disappeared into the bedroom to minister to her husband’s sock needs and Bobby picked Annie up. The baby grinned, showing off her single milk tooth as if very proud of her achievement in growing it. Bobby held her close as she inhaled her soft, powdery baby scent.
‘Corker, i’n’t she?’ her dad said, smiling proudly at the wriggling infant. ‘She’s another little tooth coming through, looks like. Won’t be long till she’s got a full set of gnashers.’
‘She’s certainly growing up fast. She’ll be walking before we know it.’
