‘Do what?’ Nothing he was saying seemed to make any sense.
‘I… I have to withdraw the offer, all right?’
‘Withdraw the offer?’ Bobby stared at him. ‘I don’t understand.’
‘I can’t do it. I’m sorry.’ He laughed again. ‘You remember once asking me if I’d ever stand aside for the love of a woman as Teddy did, and I said she’d have to be one hell of a girl?’
‘I remember,’ Bobby said, feeling more confused by the minute.
‘Good. Hold on to that thought.’ He opened his eyes again, and turned to grasp her hands. ‘You’ve arranged some leave this weekend, right?’
‘Yes, on Saturday afternoon. Not that they know it at home. I’m planning to surprise them.’
‘Do me a favour while you’re there, will you? Go see Topsy.’
‘I won’t have time to see everyone. I’ve only got a few hours, and I really want to visit my family.’
‘You have to see Topsy. She’s got something to show you.’
Bobby frowned. ‘Something to show me?’
‘Yeah. At the hospital.’
‘Oh yes, she said something about that. It can’t be that important though, surely.’
Ernie laughed his bitter laugh again. ‘Trust me, you’ll want to see this.’
Bobby looked down at her hands in his. ‘Ernie, I’m confused. What’s going on?’
‘Just do as I ask. Please, as a favour to a friend.’ He leant forward to plant a kiss on her forehead, then stood up. ‘Go see Topsy. If the answer’s still yes after, come find me. But I know you, Bobby, and I’d bet everything I have that it won’t be.’
Bobby stared after him as he strode out, his face twitching with strong emotion. What the hell was going on?
Chapter 41
The strange scene with Ernie was still playing in Bobby’s head two days later, as she boarded the bus to Silverdale.
She was starting to wonder if she had some sort of man-curse on her. It seemed she had no trouble getting men to fall in love with her, but they had a frustrating habit of running away in horror shortly after. Ernie had seemed so fervent in his declaration of love. How could that have changed just three short days later?
In the pocket of her uniform was the engagement ring Charlie had given her. It had belonged to his grandmother, and Bobby felt that by rights it ought to be returned to his family. She wasn’t looking forward to the conversation with Reg and Mary explaining how things currently stood, but they needed to know.
Bobby had left her photograph of Charlie back in Hut 17, however, buried under a pile of undergarments in her drawer. She couldn’t quite bring herself to part with that – not yet.
It was with depressed spirits that she travelled the old familiar route towards Silverdale. She knew she ought to be excited to see her family after what felt like years away. She had a lot to tell them, and no doubt Lilian had plenty to share too. Her father would be pleased to see her, Mary would hug her in her motherly way, and the Parry girls would knock her off her feet as soon as they saw her. But everything was coloured by the knowledge that she had the news of her broken engagement to share. She hated to go home only to shed tears, but it couldn’t be avoided.
Her spirits did rise a little, however, as the familiar fields of home drifted past. Nothing could be more beautiful than the Dales in spring, she was sure – not even the Canadian Rockies.Dazzling carpets of wild flowers in every conceivable colour were spread across each field not occupied by livestock.
It took her back to the previous year – the cuckoo time, before Charlie had gone to war when they’d been newly courting. Nights in the dance hall in Settle, holding each other with hardly an ear for the music, they were so caught up in one another. Fish and chips under the arches, and passionate embraces under cover of the blackout…
Bobby felt tears start to rise, and had a stern word with herself.
It was on this bus, too, that she had last seen Ernie King before her call-up. She remembered how relieved she had been to find out he had survived his crash; how she had thrown herself at him for a hug, never suspecting… oh, what a mess it all was! She let out a deep sigh.
Thinking of Ernie reminded her of his final words. He had been very keen for her to visit Topsy. What mystery was awaiting her at Sumner House? It was all rather strange.
It was soon time to get off at the stop opposite the Black Bull. Bobby stood for a moment to breathe in the air of her home. Strange how it seemed to smell differently to the camp at Ryland Moor, although there were so few miles between them.
She set off walking towards Silverdale, admiring the bluebells, buttercups and daffodils that lined the road and breathing in lungfuls of fresh, heady Dales springtime. She stopped, however, when she reached a crossroads.
