‘Mmm, I bet.’
‘Where did you spring from? Were you hiding under the seats?’
‘I was at the back.’ Bobby glanced at the driver as they slowed to a stop. ‘We’ll talk when we get off.’
They alighted and the bus drove away.
‘We can hitch a ride with Bert in the coal wagon,’ Lilian said, a rather forced brightness in her tone. ‘You ought not to walk. It isn’t good for you in your condition.’
‘Do you know what’s not good for me in my condition?’ Bobby said. ‘Sudden shocks and surprises.’
‘Yes, I got your note about Jake turning up. You ought to have sent him to us. He can sleep in the nursery if we bring Annie’s cot into our room. Do you want me to take him tonight?’
Bobby glared at her. ‘You can jolly well stop trying to change the subject, Lilian Scott. That wasn’t the shock I was referring to and you know it.’
Lilian sighed. ‘You saw then.’
‘I did, and it’s no use trying to tell me to mind my own business.’ She folded her arms. ‘What’s going on, Lil? You swore to me there was nothing between you two.’
‘There isn’t. I mean… look, it isn’t what you think.’ Lilian glanced round at the sound of the coalman’s horse and cart trundling towards them. ‘We’ll get a lift to your cottage, then I swear I’ll tell you everything. But don’t be all cross and Bobby about it, will you?’
‘I’m making no promises until I know what there is to be cross and Bobby about.’ She lowered her voice as Lil flagged down the cart. ‘I only hope you know what you’re getting yourself into, that’s all.’
As soon as the cottage door had closed behind them, Bobby turned to her sister.
‘Well?’ she demanded.
‘Can’t I at least put the kettle on?’
‘There isn’t time. Charlie might be back any minute with Jake and Kathleen, the girl he brought. I want to hear all about it while we’re able to talk freely.’
Lilian frowned. ‘Our Jake brought a girl?’
‘Never mind Jake. You’re not going to distract me, Lil. Tell me about you and George Parry.’
Lilian sighed. ‘Sit down first. You must want to get the weight off your feet.’
‘Well, all right,’ Bobby said grudgingly. ‘But no making a bolt for it. If I have to lock you in to get the story out of you, I will.’
Bobby sat on the settee and Lilian, smiling, sat beside her.
‘I pity poor Marmaduke, being born to such a terrifying specimen of a mother. I dread to think how you’ll be when the poor boy starts taking out girls.’
Bobby opened her mouth, but Lil raised a hand.
‘All right, I’m telling you,’ she said. ‘It really isn’t as bad as it looks.’
‘I saw you coming out of the cinema, Lil. How can that possibly not be as bad as it looks?’
Lilian frowned. ‘Have you been following us?’
‘No. I was shopping.’
‘Friday’s your shopping day.’
‘That was before our Jake turned up without his ration card and his ribs showing,’ Bobby said. ‘I popped in to see what extras I could pick up, then I bumped into Ernie King and he insisted I have a sit-down opposite the cinema.’
Lilian examined her with concern. ‘You do look tired. Are you getting enough rest?’
