‘We’re going to tell the family later today,’ she told him. ‘Don’t give us away, will you?’
‘Sure. I know how to keep my mouth shut.’
‘Ernie, I wanted to ask you something,’ Bobby said. ‘I hope you won’t think it’s strange.’
‘What is it?’
‘Well, we thought… that is, Charlie and I decided we’d like you to be the baby’s godfather. If you wanted to be.’
‘Gee,’ Ernie said, blinking. ‘Godfather? Me?’
‘We’d be honoured if you would. We’re going to ask Topsy and Teddy to be the others when we’ve made the news public, but I wanted to ask you first.’
‘Why me?’
‘Well, you’re important to me,’ Bobby said, flushing. ‘That is to say, I’m fond of you. I don’t know what I would’ve done without you yesterday, honestly. I’d like you to be something to my baby, and him to you.’
Ernie seemed to swell, the chest of his dress uniform expanding with pride.
‘I’ve never been a godfather before,’ he said. ‘What if I mess it up?’
Bobby smiled. ‘You won’t. You’ll be wonderful.’
‘And I guess I’d be Uncle Ernie, would I?’
‘If you like.’
‘Heh. That sure sounds strange. I’ll do my best to live up to it though.’
‘So you will?’
‘Yeah, if you really want me. It’d be an honour, Slacks.’
Bobby beamed at him. ‘Oh, thank you. I am glad. Charlie will be too.’
‘What happens now? Do I need to sign anything, or do we just spit in our palms and shake?’
‘I think that comes at the christening,’ Bobby said with a laugh. ‘But I’m willing to risk village gossip and give you a hug. You saved my life yesterday, and I was so shaken that I barely said thank you.’
‘I don’t think you were quite at death’s door, but I’ll take a hug if it eases your conscience,’ Ernie said, smiling. ‘You’d better start it though, then I can claim to be the innocent party if your Mr Atherton files for divorce.’
Bobby wrapped her arms around him. He didn’t embrace her in return, but smiled down at her with a protective tenderness.
‘You know, Slacks, you’re going to make one hell of a mom,’ he whispered.
‘Thanks, Ernie. I’m glad things worked out for us. I’m glad we both got to be happy.’
He brushed his lips against her cheek. ‘All the happiness in the world, kid. You deserve it.’
Bobby was anxious to leave after her conversation with Ernie, but Charlie was having such a merry time with the other men that she didn’t like to drag him away. It was good for him to socialise. Instead she sought out Topsy, who she hadn’t seen since Jolka had passed on the news that Mrs Hobbes would be leaving her.
The blow had softened a little with time, although Topsy still seemed stunned at losing her much-loved nanny. Mrs Hobbes was to leave her at the end of the month, when she had arrangedto move into a cottage in the village – by the beck for the benefit of her pet goose Norman and his family, just as Bobby had predicted. Topsy soon began talking animatedly about her and Teddy’s plan to adopt a child, however.
‘I’ve written to one of Father’s friends on the board of the Waifs and Strays Society for advice,’ Topsy said. ‘Oh, but it is frustrating having Maimie leave just when I need her. Of course I’ll have to give up nursing. Teddy will need me at home, and I’ll have the house to keep. I’ve never tried being a housewife before. Maimie’s always been there to divide the chores with.’
Bobby had private suspicions that Maimie Hobbes had taken on more than her fair share of chores at Topsy’s cottage. The former nanny did seem to act as unofficial housekeeper there. However, she kept quiet on this point.
‘Shan’t you miss nursing?’ she asked Topsy.
