‘Well, what is it?’ she asked.
‘You’re right, it is about that ruddy gong. They want me to be invested at Buckingham Palace in seven weeks’ time.’
Bobby perched on the arm of his chair. ‘Will you go?’
‘I don’t know, Bob. Honestly, I’d forgotten I ever said I’d take it.’
‘You could change your mind. Now you’re in work, you don’t need it to impress employers with. Although it might help if you decided to look for something else.’
‘Hmm. I’d rather stay where I am than brag about my feats of so-called heroism to get me into something better.’ Charlie eyed the letter listlessly. ‘But I suppose it’s too late now to turnit down. I’ll write and say I can’t attend the investiture though. They can post it to me if they must, then I can stick it in a drawer and forget all about it.’
Bobby stretched an arm around his shoulders. ‘Are you sure you don’t want to go, love? It’s the sort of opportunity that comes along once in a lifetime. Having your photograph taken with the king and everything. The village would be so proud, and your family and the girls. Wouldn’t you like that?’
Charlie scowled. ‘What do you think?’
‘No, I suppose not,’ Bobby said with a sigh.
‘I’d feel like the biggest fraud alive, standing there with the king like a genuine hero. No, Bobby. I couldn’t.’
Bobby thought about what her dad had said, the day he’d given her his Military Medal. How he had felt similar about his own prestigious decoration, but that in the end it hadn’t been about him. It had been about his legacy to his grandchildren.
‘It would be an incredible thing to show Marmaduke when he’s old enough,’ Bobby said. ‘For me too. I’d be as proud as anything.’ She looked at his grim expression. ‘But it’s up to you, Charlie.’
‘I couldn’t go even if I was minded to.’
‘Surely Mr Miller would grant you a holiday for something so important.’
‘Not because of Miller, because of you,’ Charlie said with a small smile. ‘I promised I wouldn’t leave you until after the birth and I meant it, Bob. If the king’s so desperate to meet me, he’s welcome to hop in his golden coach and come up to Silverdale. I’ll even stand him a pint at the pub.’
‘But you wouldn’t be leaving me, would you? I’d be coming too.’
‘What?’
‘You think I’d stay at home while you were being decorated by the king? I’m not going to miss that, even if I do have to look like a sack of flour for it.’
‘Don’t be daft. You couldn’t travel to London that close to the birth. What if the baby comes in the middle of the ceremony? Are you planning to ask the queen to midwife for you?’
Bobby smiled. ‘I won’t be that close to the birth. If it’s in seven weeks, that means there’ll be a whole month until Marmaduke’s due to put in an appearance. I’ll check it’s all right with Dr Minchin, but I’m sure it wouldn’t be dangerous.’
‘I’m serious. What if you went into labour early?’
‘There’s a slim chance, I suppose, but I guess they have maternity hospitals in London too. I’ll keep my legs crossed for the investiture.’
‘All right, and what if there’s an air raid?’
‘There hasn’t been a proper blitz for ages, just nuisance raids. I’m willing to take a risk.’
Their conversation was interrupted by a knock at the door.
Charlie frowned. ‘You’re not expecting anyone, are you?’
‘It’ll be one of the family, I suppose. I’ll get it.’
Bobby eased herself to her feet and went to answer it.
‘Heyup, Bob,’ the young man on the doorstep said.
Bobby stared at her youngest brother, who was in his battledress uniform with a bag over one shoulder. ‘Jake! What on earth are you doing here?’
