‘There’s been a change of plans.’ Bobby grabbed the other woman’s hands and spun her around. ‘I’m getting married, Car.’
Carol blinked. ‘You what?’
‘You heard me. I’m getting married.’
‘Hey, where are you going?’ Carol called after Bobby as she hurried away.
‘To see Stewpot,’ Bobby called back. ‘I need to arrange some urgent leave.’
‘Why urgent?’
‘I’ll explain later. Tell the others, will you? I’m really getting married!’
Mulligan listened with a rather shell-shocked expression as Bobby explained everything that had happened – that her fiancé had been injured, was now in an RAF hospital not ten miles away and that she would like to take the marriage leave she had requested for the 2nd and 3rd of May after all. The commandant granted her request without objection, however. The following Saturday, Bobby Bancroft was walking once again down the track to Sumner House – this time with no intention of ever going back up it under that name.
Mary was the first to greet her when she knocked on the door of Topsy’s cottage. She looked tired, but beamed when she saw Bobby.
‘Oh, you’re a sight for sore eyes,’ Mary said as she threw her arms around her.
‘Topsy gave you my note?’ Bobby asked.
‘Yes. Reg is up at the house now, making his brother presentable. Topsy and everyone else are inside.’
‘And Charlie doesn’t know?’
‘Hasn’t a clue. Now come inside and let me dress you. The girls are desperate to help turn you into a bride.’
‘Wait.’ Bobby put a hand on her friend’s shoulder and lowered her voice. ‘Before we see everyone. How is he, Mary? How are you?’
Mary sighed. ‘It was a shock, I must admit. As far as we knew, he was in Binbrook, thriving and healthy. I’d never dreamed he was so close to home, and in such a state. He’s lost so much weight.’
‘I know. It shocked me too.’
‘The sooner they let me take him home and tend to him as only someone who’s loved him as a mother can, the better it will be.’ She smiled. ‘But he full grinned when I mentioned you. I knew when I saw that smile that he was still our Charlie, just as long as he had you to lead him out of the dark.’
Bobby smiled even as she let slip a tear.
‘Thank you,’ she whispered.
‘Now, come inside. We’ve got the whole family here, all dying to see you.’
Mary led her in, and Bobby beamed to see her little family crowded into Topsy’s parlour. Her dad was in his best Sunday suit, his remaining hair combed and slicked. Tony and Lilian, her sister now roughly the size of a house, stood beside him. Jessie and Florrie were in their best dresses, petal-filled baskets over their arms and bouncing with excitement. Teddy, Topsy and Mrs Hobbes smiled at her. Even Norman seemed to smile as he sat with his goose family.
‘Oh, I am glad to see you all.’ Bobby embraced each of them in turn. ‘Even you, Tony.’
‘Huh,’ her brother-in-law grunted. ‘Ta very much.’
‘You’re sure you’re ready to do this, lass?’ her dad asked quietly when she hugged him.
‘I am if you are. You’ll give me away?’
‘With a song in my heart, if it’s to a man who’ll make you happy.’
‘It is.’ She kissed his cheek. ‘Thanks, Dad. I love you.’
‘Aye, well. Same to you, eh?’ he said, rubbing his cheek.
‘There’ll be time for hugging and kissing after,’ Mary said in businesslike fashion. ‘Bobby, come into Topsy’s room. Lilian, Jess, Florrie, you can help. And mind, girls, when you see your Uncle Charlie remember you’re not to jump all over him. Don’t forget he’s hurt his leg. It’ll likely be a while before he can laik as he used to.’
