‘Aye, happen so.’ Ginny laughed, a little brokenly. ‘He used to despair of seeing the child settled. Always she’d be running after lads wi’ more brass buttons than brains, caring for nowt but a handsome face. It took losing someone she loved to make her understand the value of the heart underneath. He’d be glad o’ that, any road. Glad it were him as brought them together.’
‘You must miss him a lot.’
‘That I do. Don’t seem fair we got so little time. Then again, we were lucky to get that much. Andy had a long life, and he fit a whole lot into it.’ Her gaze drifted once again to the towering fells, turning in the direction of Newby Top, Andy’s old farmhouse. ‘He were allus fond of thee,’ she said quietly.
‘I was fond of him.’
‘Forever boasting of knowing thee, he was,’ Ginny said with a little smile. ‘That clever lass from t’ paper, who knew all the words anyone could think of. He’d laugh hissen silly at your bits in our paper when I read them to him. “She’ll do great things, our Miss Bancroft, Gin. Just tha watch and see.” That were what he said to me near the end. Gave you all the credit for the wooing of me. I think he was as attached to you as one of his own.’
Bobby felt a lump rise, thinking about the friend she had lost.
She hadn’t been sad to say goodbye to Andy for his own sake. He had been content, even happy, as the end of his life approached, feeling he had been blessed in both years and loved ones. But for her own sake Bobby had been sad, because even the knowledge that someone you care for has had a long and blessed life doesn’t prevent you from missing them when they’re gone.
He had been so proud to know her. So sure she would do something of real note one day. Would she? Could she? Was it too late, now she was to be a mother?
‘I miss him too,’ Bobby said, swallowing a tear. ‘I really do.’
Ginny smiled, and turned to give her a hug.
‘You know, I reckon you’re right,’ she whispered as they embraced. ‘I reckon in his own way, he is here today.’
When Ginny had left her, Bobby went to pluck Charlie’s elbow. He was smoking among a gaggle of men from the local farms, friends from veterinary days, and seemed to be enjoying himself. She felt guilty about interrupting, but she didn’t want to speak to Ernie without telling Charlie where she was going. If the village gossips spotted her slipping away with Ernie King while her husband was distracted, they’d have a field day.
‘What’s up, Bob?’ he asked. ‘Did you want to go home?’
‘Soon, but not yet. I wanted to tell you I was going to speak to Ernie about what we discussed, so if you find I’ve disappeared, I’ll be outside with him.’
‘All right.’ He gave her a kiss. ‘When you want to leave, just let me know.’
‘I will. You enjoy yourself with your friends.’
She left Charlie to the ribbing of his pals, who seemed to be unleashing a store of wife-related wisecracks. She made a mental note to write a few jokes about husbands for the wireless to get her own back.
Ernie was congratulating the bride and groom. Bobby waited for him to finish before waving to claim his attention.
‘Bobby,’ he said when he approached. She noted the concern in his tone, as well as the absence of nickname. ‘Everything all right, kid?’
‘It is, but… can you come outside? I want to talk to you in private.’
He frowned. ‘Your other half going to be OK with that? I prefer weddings that don’t include a sock in the puss.’
‘Charlie’s given his blessing for me to sneak off with you, don’t worry,’ she said with a smile.
Ernie let out the deep laugh that always reminded Bobby of when she had first got to know him, in the winter of 1941 when they had appeared in Topsy’s pantomime together. She couldn’t remember anything that had brought her as much joy as that little production.
‘That’s mighty liberal-minded of him,’ Ernie said. ‘Come on then.’
‘Is Barbara not with you?’ Bobby asked as they ventured out into a chilly winter afternoon.
Ernie shrugged. ‘I could hardly drag the girl here without an invite.’
‘The invitations to single folk said they could bring someone, didn’t they? I know Captain Parry’s did.’
‘Can’t say I noticed. I’m sure the happy couple will be glad not to have another mouth to feed.’ He looked keenly into her eyes. ‘I guess from the way you were smirking at me in church that I’m safe to offer those congratulations I was saving?’
‘Yes, it was all OK. Just babies being babies, the doctor said, and I’d got into such a panic that I’d made myself ill. Once I could feel the baby moving again, I was soon my old self.’
‘In that case, my heartiest congratulations to both of you.’ He shook her hand, making her smile.
