‘I do hope it isn’t bad news,’ Bobby said fervently. The handsome, grinning face of Flying Officer Ernie King, so young and full of life, had appeared in her mind’s eye. ‘I couldn’t take a bit more bad news about someone I love.’
Topsy frowned. ‘Did something happen, Birdy?’
Bobby rubbed her forehead. ‘Oh, nothing. At least, nothing compared to this. He has to be safe, doesn’t he? Otherwise it would be so… unfair.’
‘I don’t think this stinking war cares a whole lot about fair and unfair,’ Topsy said bitterly. ‘But for Ernie’s sake, I hope you’re right.’
Chapter 5
A telegram arrived for Bobby a few hours later, as she typed out a piece about some old Roman silver mines in Swaledale. She saw Gil arrive on his bike, and heard him speaking to Mary. She held her breath, hoping it would be the news she was waiting for.
A moment later there was a tap at the parlour door, and Mary came in.
‘Sorry to interrupt,’ she said, holding out the telegram. ‘It’s one of these blasted things, for Bobby. Hope all’s well.’
It was no wonder that these days, telegrams were seen as something to be feared rather than welcomed. The news they contained was so often devastating. Every family with a man in the forces dreaded opening one to find those terrifying words:Deeply regret to inform you…
But here was one that was very welcome indeed, as Bobby discovered when she read it.
2 hours. 7 p.m., Skipton Memorial. Going tomorrow. Love C xxx
‘Yes, it’s all right,’ she said, her face breaking into a smile. ‘It’s from Charlie. He’s got a pass out tonight and wants me to meet him in Skipton. Only for two hours though.’ She frowned. ‘Oh, but he’s being posted tomorrow.’
Reg sighed. ‘Well, we knew it was coming. He would join up, the young fool.’
‘I feel like I’ll not sleep a minute until we get him back safe.’ Mary arched an eyebrow at Bobby. ‘Your last bit of time together before he really goes to war then. You’ll want to make the most of it, won’t you?’
Bobby smiled. ‘We certainly will.’
With an effort, Bobby pulled her lips from Charlie’s as they cuddled on a bench in Skipton churchyard that evening. It was more than quarter of an hour since they had met, and she still hadn’t had a chance to talk about what had been worrying her. Her lips had quickly been requisitioned for other purposes.
‘Charlie, when I said I needed to see you urgently, this wasn’t what I meant,’ she said, laughing breathlessly.
‘It wasn’t? Are you sure?’
She smiled as she allowed him to kiss her again, and he drew her body close. She had never craved his touch so badly, but this wasn’t helping with the dilemma she was facing.
‘Mmm… no,’ she said, extricating her lips again. ‘I wish we could do this all night but we haven’t got long.’
‘Can’t we do this all night?’ His hands burrowed under the folds of the RAF greatcoat he had put on her earlier, his fingers closing around her waist. ‘It’s the last chance we’ll get for a while – until the wedding night, probably. I had to beg on my knees for this pass out and I’d very much like to make the most of it.’
‘Please, Charlie. It’s important.’
He sighed. ‘Give me a minute then.’
Charlie closed his eyes for a moment.
‘All right, I’ve had a stern word with myself and I think I can manage to cool my ardour for ten minutes.’ He proved it with a chaste kiss on her forehead. ‘What’s the matter, darling?’
She smiled. ‘Thank you.’
‘Is something wrong at home?’
‘Not yet, but I’m so terribly afraid there’s going to be.’ She snuggled against him. ‘I’m to be called up, Charlie.’
She felt his body stiffen around hers. ‘You’re what?’
‘I got the letter yesterday. I’ve to report for my medical tomorrow. That means the forces. There’s a form I can request to make a case for hardship, but if they don’t accept then I’ll have to go.’
