‘You’re just lucky it’s me here and not my dad.’ She glared at him. ‘Well? What have you got to say for yourself?’
‘It was an accident, OK? I thought we could have a bit of fun. She’s a laugh, your sister. I never meant for this to happen, did I?’
‘That’s the thing about actions, Tony. They so often come with consequences – something you’ve never quite managed to grasp, have you?’
‘It was an accident,’ he repeated helplessly, as if he was a naughty boy who’d broken his mother’s favourite ornament.
‘Couldn’t you have…’ Bobby lowered her voice. ‘You know, used something? You know what I mean.’
‘What, and have her think I make a habit of it?’
‘She’d better be the first,’ Bobby said. ‘Or is there already an army of little Tonys running around the city? Don told me about your tricks, using the paper to blackmail women into dates.’
‘I didn’t blackmail them. It was a way to meet girls, that’s all.’ He met her eyes, and she had to give him credit for at least looking like he meant it when he said, ‘Those days are over, Bob. I swear it.’
Bobby laughed, turning away from him. ‘You know, the worst thing is that it was me who introduced you. Actually thought that despite what you might be capable of with other girls, our Lil was safe. Because whatever else I knew you to be, I did genuinely believe you were my friend.’
Tony had the decency to look shamefaced. ‘All right, I deserve that. But I’m not a complete swine, I promise. I mean, I did like her. I love her.’
‘Don’t be absurd. You barely know one another.’
‘Well, I love what I do know and I’m working on finding out the rest.’
Bobby thought about how she had found the two of them, sitting in silence, just going through the motions of being lovers, and a small sigh escaped.
Tony put a hand on her arm. ‘I fouled up, Bobby. Happy to admit that like a man. But I’m doing the right thing now, aren’t I?’
‘The right thing was not to do it in the first place.’
‘I can’t change that. But I do want to be a good husband, and a good dad to the baby.’ He rubbed his head. ‘Which is prettybloody difficult when no one in this town will so much as spit on me, let alone give me a job.’
‘You’re struggling that much? I thought employers were desperate for men. The fact you can’t be called up ought to be a qualification in itself.’
He let out a mirthless laugh. ‘You might say my reputation precedes me when it comes to getting work in this city. Don point-blank refused to write me a reference as well.’
‘How are you keeping yourself then?’
‘With difficulty. Odd jobs here and there, that’s all.’
‘Well, what are you going to do? Lil’s relying on you, Tony.’
‘Lilian will move in with me at my mam’s for now,’ he said. ‘There isn’t much room, but it doesn’t cost. Then I guess we’ll start again somewhere – maybe Liverpool. Mate of mine says there’s all the work you want in the shipyards. Not much money but plenty of hours.’
Bobby frowned. ‘Liverpool?’
‘What’s wrong with Liverpool?’
‘Nothing, just… there’s been so much bombing there. They’ve had it nearly as bad as London.’
‘Seems to be easing up now Jerry’s busy with Uncle Joe.’
‘Easing up isn’t stopping. Just last week there was another blitz on the place.’
‘What choice do I have?’ Tony asked. ‘A man’s got to work.’
Bobby smiled dryly. ‘You really have turned over a new leaf. I just hope it lasts.’
‘It will,’ he said, with at least the impression of determination.
