‘It’s all right. Dr Minchin says it’s nothing to worry about. But the baby stopped moving, and I was really scared he might be… you know.’
‘Did you see the doctor?’
‘Yes, I ran away early from work then had a funny turn on the road. I couldn’t move for trembling and retching. If it hadn’t been for Ernie King and his Air Force truck, I might be there still.’
‘Oh my God!’ Charlie held her back, looking frightened. ‘Are you going to be all right? What did the doctor say?’
‘He said it was an anxiety attack, like the ones you have. I’d got myself worked up into such a state that it affected my nerves. I’m not ill, and Dr Minchin says the baby’s fine. A good, strong heartbeat.’
Charlie still looked worried. ‘But he’s not moved since then?’
‘I still can’t feel him,’ Bobby whispered. ‘The doctor said I’d probably become desensitised. He wants me to ring him tomorrow if there’s no change though.’
‘Let me feel.’
Bobby lowered her knees for Charlie to rest his head on her stomach. Almost as soon as he did, there was a kick strong enough to make her shudder.
‘Oh!’ Bobby laughed through her tears. ‘Oh my goodness! Charlie, did you feel that?’
‘I couldn’t fail to.’ Charlie lifted his head and rubbed his face. ‘Socked me right in the jaw. Me and that boy will be having words.’
Bobby once again burst into tears, but these were tears of relief.
‘He really is all right,’ she whispered. ‘Oh, Charlie…’
He shuffled up to kiss her.
‘There now,’ he said softly, wiping away her tears with his thumb-tip. ‘I’m here, and I won’t leave you again until Marmaduke’s safely with us. I’m so sorry I went away, Bob.’
‘You were right to go. But… do you know what I think?’
‘What?’
She smiled damply. ‘I think Marmaduke was sulking about you being gone. The last time I remember him moving was yesterday morning, when you said goodbye, and then he was still the whole time you were away. He must have been missing his dad.’
‘A fine way to show it, I must say,’ Charlie said, rubbing his jaw.
‘That proves he must be a man in the making, if he’s throwing sulks about not getting his way.’
‘You’ve not been well so I’ll let that comment pass. But just you wait until it’s two boys against one girl around here.’
Bobby held him tight. ‘I’m so glad everything’s all right. I thought if anything had happened to the baby, it would be my fault for not giving up work like you wanted me to.’
‘And now?’ Charlie said softly.
She sighed. ‘Yes, I have to. Dr Minchin said it wouldn’t do me any harm to work from home, but I shouldn’t be on my feet too much in my last few months. Besides, it’s getting too hard to hide it now. Two people in the last two days have guessed the secret.’
‘Which two people?’
‘Jolka and Ernie. I’m not sure Mary doesn’t suspect too, and there’s bound to be talk among the neighbours after they saw Mrs Minchin bringing me home. I don’t want gossip spreading before I’ve told the family. We’ll announce it tomorrow at dinner, shall we?’
Charlie frowned. ‘Did you say Ernie King knows?’
‘He knows for sure now, but he already suspected.’ She smiled tremulously. ‘Oh, he was a saint today, Charlie, when he found me in trouble. You must shake his hand and buy him a drink when you see him.’
‘I will. It sounds like he did our little family a big favour.’ For the first time, Charlie seemed to notice the ink-stained bed. ‘Bobby, what on earth has happened to our sheets?’
‘Ugh. I fell asleep writing a piece for work and my fountain pen leaked,’ Bobby said, pushing her hair away from her overheated face. ‘I was going to sort out fresh linen before you got home. And I was going to light the fire and press your suit for thewedding tomorrow and make salmon sandwiches…’ She sighed, resting her head on his chest. ‘I’m so sorry. I got some treats on points especially to give you a good welcome home, then I had such a day that all I did was sleep.’
