‘Well, Mother Scott soon changed her tune when she realised me being here meant she never needed to lift a finger.’ Lilian flopped back in her chair. ‘I don’t think I’ve stopped scrubbing since we signed the marriage register, except for the hour a day she spends at the WVS centre, gossiping when she’s supposed to be rolling bandages.’
‘How’s married life, Lil?’
‘Goodness knows. I’d hardly call skivvying for the evil mother-in-law while sharing a camp bed in Tony’s brother’s room a taste of married life.’
Lilian swallowed a sob, and Bobby took her hand.
‘There has to be more to it than this, Bob,’ she whispered. ‘Three days in and I’m exhausted, and the baby’s not even here yet.’
‘Things will get better.’
‘They have to.’ She dabbed at her damp cheeks with a duster. ‘I feel like we’ve skipped over the courtship and landed straight in domestic hell. The few dates we had weren’t enough to really get to know one another. But I do so want it to work, for the baby’s sake.’
‘It’s only been a few days.’
‘I know,’ Lil said with a sigh. ‘I suppose it’s been rather a rude awakening. Perhaps I could fall in love with Tony, if we only had a little time for us. But there isn’t a moment in the day where it’s just me and him.’
‘Couldn’t you go out dancing, or to the pictures?’ Bobby asked. ‘Just because the courtship didn’t happen before you were married doesn’t mean it needs to be dispensed with completely. You’re still two young people, and you really ought to be making the most of the time you’ve got together before the baby comes.’
‘I’m too exhausted for dance halls after scrubbing all day,’ Lil said with a sigh. ‘Dancing was all very well when I was a single, fun-loving young Wren, but it isn’t for expectant housewives. Besides, we really ought to be saving our money while Tony’s out of a job.’
‘I’m sure Tony can spare a few bob to take you out to a film. If he can afford fags and beer, he can afford a couple of ninepenny seats at the Majestic.’
‘Perhaps. But his mam would humph so about it, while we’re living here rent-free.’
Bobby glanced at the bucket of cinders her sister had raked out of the fireplace. ‘Looks like you’re more than paying your rent in labour.’
‘Mmm. She doesn’t think so. Still, she hasn’t realised I’ve been helping myself to a salary out of her precious Wincarnis yet.’ Lilian sat up straight. ‘What are you here for anyhow? You didn’t forget we’re coming to you the day after tomorrow?’
‘Government summons again,’ Bobby said with a shrug. ‘I got called to enrol in the WAAF. I’m to be placed on deferred service and drafted the 6th of April.’
‘You made up your mind against applying for postponement then?’
Bobby sighed. ‘I’m sorry, Lil. I had to.’
Lilian slid down in the chair and rested a hand on her swelling stomach, clearly visible under her housecoat today in the absence of corsets.
‘I knew you would,’ she said with a wistful smile. ‘I know how that nagging conscience of yours works, Bobby.’
‘I’ll be close to home, for my training at least.’ Bobby gave her sister’s hand a reassuring press. ‘Only ten miles from Dad in Silverdale, and a train ride from Skipton to you. We’ll be closer to each other than we are now – for as long as you’re in Bradford anyway.’
‘You always do the right thing, don’t you?’ Lilian said dreamily. ‘You’d think, being twins, I’d be more like you.’ She glanced down at her stomach. ‘I wish I was, for my own sake.’
‘I don’t always do the right thing.’ Bobby lowered her gaze. ‘I didn’t do the right thing the other day. Did you get any letter from Dad?’
Lil sat up straighter. ‘No. Have you told him?’
‘I told him more than I meant to. I got cross when he said some things and I…’ She swallowed. ‘I’ve been such an idiot, Lil.’
‘What did you tell him?’
‘I told him that you and Tony had been walking out. I told him you were married. He worked out for himself why. And I told him… why you’d started walking out in the first place.’
‘Oh Bobby, you didn’t!’
‘I’m so sorry. He was angry, and he said some things that hurt me. Said it was all my fault for letting you get close to Tony, and keeping it a secret from him. I was so upset that it slipped out before I could stop it.’
‘How did he take it?’
