‘I say, isn’t it ripping about Ernie?’ she said. ‘I haven’t seen him myself, but Maimie bumped into Chip in the pub and he says it’s no worse than a broken arm.’
Bobby found a blush rising as she thought about Ernie King. Worrying about her call-up and her sister’s situation had put the awkward moment when she had fallen on him on the ice out of her mind, but it recurred vividly now. The scent and warmth of him; his broad chest against her body; the fire in his eyes whenhe had looked up at her; the change in his voice, which had sounded so soft and husky suddenly.
She wondered if she ought to confess the incident to Charlie in her next letter. Nothing had really been wrong – it had been an accident, that was all – but the look Ernie had given her had unsettled her. Bobby was sure she hadn’t imagined it, and could no longer feel quite comfortable about Ernie’s jokey flirting.
Yes, she knew he was the same way with all the women in the village, even those old enough to be his grandmother – it was part of that old-fashioned chivalry in his nature to pay women compliments. He never got fresh with anyone, although there were plenty of the younger women who would welcome it. Still, after what had happened, Bobby couldn’t help but feel guilty that she had never rebuffed him. Perhaps she had actually encouraged him, if she had been misunderstanding his intentions all this time.
Bobby knew Ernie liked and respected her, despite his oft-stated disapproval of her dress, ideas and independent habits, but she had never believed he had an interest in her beyond ordinary friendship. He knew she was engaged, and besides, it had been Topsy he had always given the glad eye to – at least, until he realised her heart belonged to Teddy. Topsy was rich, titled, beautiful and vivacious, and she captivated men without trying. Bobby was none of those things.
Not to mention that Ernie surely received too much attention from pretty girls fascinated by this handsome, exotic foreigner to take any notice of Bobby Bancroft, with her mud-splattered trousers and her frazzled hair. He hadn’t tried to hold her that night, and had kept his free arm respectably behind his head while she had extricated herself from the bramble. Perhaps the look he had given her had meant something other than what she had felt it to mean. There had only been the dim light of her blackout torch in which to make it out, after all.
And yet it preyed on her mind. She wished Charlie was here, so she could throw herself into his arms and confess everything; soothe the jealousy that would naturally arise, be reassured of his feelings, and kiss away the worry. But the more Bobby thought about it, the more it didn’t feel right to put it in a letter. Charlie might worry, and he had enough to occupy his mind when he was about to start flying ops. It wasn’t fair to add to that over an incident that really amounted to nothing.
Besides, Ernie would be gone soon. She would miss him, but nevertheless Bobby couldn’t help feeling relieved at the idea of some distance being placed between them.
‘You did know he was back, didn’t you?’ Topsy said as Bobby remained silent.
Bobby stirred herself. ‘Sorry. Yes, I bumped into him on the bus. His injuries are a little worse than a broken arm – there was some shrapnel in his belly too, and a dislocated shoulder – but he’s expected to make a full recovery.’
‘It sounds as though he has been lucky,’ Teddy said somewhat wistfully, glancing down at his legs.
‘Did you know he was leaving the village?’ Bobby asked. ‘He’s been grounded for four months while he heals, so he’s being sent to take up an instructor post.’
Topsy’s eyes widened. ‘Leaving? But what about the wedding?’
Teddy laughed. ‘I am afraid the war machine does not stop even for something as important as our wedding day, my Topsy.’
‘Oh, but it must! He was to be part of the guard of honour. The Canadian boys, Piotr and some of the men from the hospital would insist on having one for us, since Teddy was a flyer too. We’ll be beastly uneven without Ernie.’
‘He did say he was going to try to get some leave,’ Bobby said. ‘I don’t suppose it’s something he can guarantee though. You know how things are.’
‘I do hope he can come.’
Bobby looked down at her sewing. She had been dreading breaking this news. Topsy was so excited about the wedding, around which everything in her world currently revolved, and she hated to cause her friend upset. Still, it wasn’t to be helped.
‘I’m afraid I have bad news as well,’ she said. ‘I’m so sorry, but I can’t guarantee I’ll be here for the wedding either.’
‘But that would be even worse! We couldn’t do without you at all, Birdy. I’d rather postpone the whole thing than not have you.’
‘I’ll certainly try to be there, but… well, there’s a chance I could get my call-up soon.’
Topsy frowned. ‘The government can’t call you up just like that, can they?’
‘They can and they will, unless I can persuade the WAAF I have to stay and keep house for my dad. I was in Bradford yesterday for a medical, which I’m almost sorry to say I passed with flying colours.’
‘Oh well, if you don’t want to go then that’s just fine,’ Topsy said breezily. ‘If it’s the Air Force I can easily get you out of it. I’ll speak with Uncle Geoffrey tomorrow and tell him you mustn’t be made to go.’
Bobby was accustomed to hearing of Topsy’s assorted ‘uncles’. They were mostly old public school chums of her late father’s, and seemed to be in privileged positions all over the country. Uncle Geoffrey, Bobby assumed, must have some power within the Air Ministry. But while she might still be undecided on making a hardship application, she’d be damned if she was going to cheat her way out of doing her duty.
Teddy seemed to read the sentiment in her face.
‘Your friend would not wish this, I think, Topsy,’ he said quietly. ‘Our Miss Bancroft does not like an easy way out.’
Bobby nodded. ‘Teddy’s right. Sorry, Topsy, but I have to go through the proper channels.’
Topsy fixed her with a puzzled frown. ‘But why make it difficult for yourself, when this is the easiest way? It isn’t wrong to want to stay with your father. They might turn you down if you ask, but Uncle Geoffrey can make sure of it for you.’
‘Because it’s a privilege others don’t have,’ Bobby said, with a degree of impatience. As much as she cared for her friend, she did find it exasperating that Topsy seemed unable to pierce the bubble in which she’d been raised and see the world as it was for other people. ‘I haven’t decided yet whether I ought to apply for a postponement, but if I am granted one, I want it to be because the powers that be feel I’m entitled to one – not because I’m lucky enough to have a friend with influential connections who can “get me out of it”. I don’t want to dodge my duty through unfair means. Do you understand?’
