‘She says it’s for the best – the wedding, I mean. She was so worried she’d have to give the baby away, but now Tony’s stepped up she can do everything respectably. But I knowshe wanted so much more, Don. She was crying her eyes out today. Tried to convince me it was the pregnancy making her emotional, but she must be so terribly afraid for the future.’
‘And has he truly stepped up? This is Tony Scott we’re talking about.’
Bobby shrugged. ‘As much as I wanted to wallop him when she told me what he’d done, I have to give him his due – he came straight back with a proposal when he found out our Lil was in trouble. Never questioned if the baby was his or anything, the way some men would to get out of it.’
‘You talked to him, did you?’
‘Yes, today. He was adamant he’d turned over a new leaf.’
‘And you believe him?’
‘I think he believes himself, at least. Whether it lasts is another matter.’
‘Hmm. He’d turn over a new leaf every few weeks on the paper, I recall. One week he was going to give up smoking, another he was determined to prove himself with some big story. A fortnight of sucking on barley sugar sticks or working more than an hour a day and he was soon back to the old habits.’
‘I know, but he can’t easily turn his back on a wife and child, can he? Anyhow, for Lilian’s sake, I have to hold on to that hope.’ Bobby took a sip of her neglected beer. ‘He wants to move the family out to Liverpool.’
Don raised his eyebrows. ‘Liverpool?’
‘Apparently they’re desperate for men in the shipyards. Tony says if he can’t get work in Bradford, he’ll take Lilian and the baby down there.’
‘Lot of bombing in Liverpool.’
‘I know.’ Bobby reached out to press his wrist. ‘Please, Don. I’m not asking for Tony, or even for Lilian really. I’m asking for me. I want my sister and her baby to be safe, and close to friendsand family in case Tony lets them down. It would mean a lot to me if they could stay in Bradford.’
‘I wish I could help, Bobby. I mean, I’ll write the man a damn reference – one he doesn’t deserve, full of the biggest fibs I can bring myself to tell about him, since there’s a babby to consider. But too many folk in this town know him by reputation. I can’t in all honesty say it’ll help.’
‘He wanted me to ask if you’d talk to Clarky about getting him back on the paper.’
‘Clarky won’t listen to me.’
‘Why not? He respects you.’
‘Perhaps, but I had to plead enough times for Tony’s job when he was still working for us. Clarky would’ve let him go long ago if it hadn’t been for me making excuses for him.’ He laughed quietly. ‘God knows why I did it. Suppose I couldn’t help liking the man in spite of my better judgement – until he spent his last chance.’
‘But you could try, couldn’t you? Tell Clarky that Tony’s changed?’
He drained the last of his beer.
‘I’ll give it a go,’ he said. ‘But if you ask me, you’d be better talking to your boss.’
Bobby frowned. ‘You mean Reg?’
‘Aye. Don’t forget him and Clarky were in the trenches together. I doubt he’ll listen to me now I’m on the outside but he might do a favour for an army pal. Those old soldiers stick together.’
Yes, that was right, wasn’t it? Reg and Clarky had served together in the last war. The very first time Bobby had met Reg, he had dropped into theCourieroffices to ask his old friend for a favour – it seemed so long ago now, she had half forgotten.
‘I don’t think I ought to tell Reg about the baby though,’ she said. ‘He can be old-fashioned about some things. I don’t want to be shouting about my sister’s condition all over the place.’
‘No need. Just tell him she’s to be married, the prospective husband’s out of work and you’d be grateful if he put in a good word.’
‘I don’t know. We haven’t told Dad about the engagement yet, or the baby. I’d have to ask Reg to keep it quiet until we do.’
Don shrugged. ‘That’s your business. But like I said, Clarky’ll listen to Reg Atherton before he listens to me.’
Chapter 13
It was late when Bobby returned home. Travelling back in the blackout, the night chill freezing the slush into hard ice, she half wished she had arranged to stay the night in Bradford. The government would only cover one day’s lost earnings, however, so she could ill afford to do so.
