One road would take her to Silverdale, and home to the folk at Moorside. The other led to Sumner House, where she would find Topsy, Teddy and Mrs Hobbes.
She had to return to camp by seven. There wasn’t long, and she had come especially to see her family. Without her bike, the walk to Sumner House was time she could ill afford to spare. But Ernie had been so adamant about a visit to Topsy…
After hesitating a moment, she set off down the track to the stately home. There would still be time to have a decent visit with her family if she didn’t stay too long, and she had to admit she was keen to find out what the mystery was.
Topsy answered the cottage door in her nurse’s uniform. Bobby was greeted effusively as ever by her friend.
‘Oh, Birdy, we’ve missed you to pieces,’ Topsy said, embracing her tightly. ‘Come inside and tell us all the news. You do look smart in your uniform.’
‘I can’t stay long,’ Bobby said as she followed her in. ‘I haven’t been home yet.’
‘That’s all right, I have to go back to the hospital soon. I just came home to serve Teddy a late lunch. Oh, but you must see the babies before you go. They’re in here by the fire.’
Bobby smiled as she was shown into the parlour, where Jemima sat with a gaggle of fluffy grey goslings. She welcomed Bobby with a hiss, as if to remind her that these precious ones were not to be touched. Norman, on the other hand, sat aloof in his basket, supremely uninterested in his little family. Mrs Hobbes was knitting in her rocking chair and Teddy was sipping a bowl of soup from a tray. The feeling of having been gone for at least a century started to subside, seeing her friends just as they had been when Bobby had left.
‘Bobby,’ Teddy said with a smile. ‘So you have come home to us.’
‘Only for a few hours, I’m afraid. I couldn’t resist calling in to meet the new arrivals.’
Topsy had fallen on her knees by the goslings, and started introducing them to her one by one.
‘This is Lana, and here’s Clark,’ she said. ‘Oh, and Errol – but don’t speak to him. He’s very much his father’s son, the grumpy little fowl. And Ingrid and Humphrey and Bob and Bing—’
Mrs Hobbes laughed. ‘Well, Bobby, you can see nothing much has changed. Becoming a married woman hasn’t taught our Topsy better manners. Luckily she still has this old lady around to offer guests a cup of tea.’
‘Thank you, but I really don’t have time,’ Bobby said. ‘It’s a flying visit, that’s all. I don’t have long to see everyone.’
Topsy looked up. ‘How is Charlie? Have you heard from him lately?’
Bobby flushed, glad she was wearing gloves so the absence of her engagement ring wouldn’t be noticed. She really didn’t want to have this conversation – not now.
‘I don’t have any news to share, I’m afraid,’ she answered truthfully.
‘Well, did you see Ernie? I’m so glad the two of you are on the same base. It must be a comfort to have a friend there.’
‘I did,’ Bobby said, trying to keep her voice even. ‘That’s really why I came here first. He was very keen for me to pay you a visit. Something about the hospital.’
‘Oh yes, you must come up and see!’ Topsy said gleefully. ‘I can’t help being proud about it. I’m so glad you’re in uniform, so the matron won’t be cross about me bringing in civilians.’
‘But what is it I’m to see?’
‘The new ward. Teddy and I donated the money for all the beds and equipment – to mark our wedding, you know, after the staff there took such good care of him. It’s to be for those rehabilitating after amputations. There’s a little plaque with our name on and everything.’
‘That’s wonderful, Topsy, but I honestly don’t have time. Can it wait for another day?’
‘Please, it won’t take any time at all. I’ve been so excited to show you.’
Bobby couldn’t help relenting when she saw the eagerness in her friend’s eyes.
‘Well, all right,’ she said. ‘But I can’t stay long.’
‘Hurrah!’ Topsy jumped up and grabbed her hand. ‘We’ll go now. The men who are mobile will be taking their exercise hour, so it will be quiet.’
‘Um, goodbye, everyone,’ Bobby said as Topsy dragged her from the room. ‘Teddy. Mrs Hobbes. Geese.’
‘Never mind them,’ Topsy said impatiently. ‘There’s no time to lose.’
Bobby felt rather dazed as Topsy led her with great haste up the path to the stately home. She couldn’t understand why her friend – or Ernie King, for that matter – would be so keen for her to see this new ward.
