Bobby shrugged. ‘I know it doesn’t sound much, but it comes with the cottage, and some of our meals are shared with the folk at the farmhouse, which cuts costs. It’s better than a private in the Army gets.’
‘Small, is it, your cottage?’
‘It’s not really a cottage at all. It’s a converted barn – very snug. Still, there are two bedrooms, and a kitchen,’ Bobby said, trying not to give away that she knew what he was getting at. ‘No indoor plumbing but there’s a flush privy in the outhouse and a pump outside for water. Electric too. It’s perfect for just me and my dad.’
‘Hmm.’
‘The cold is probably the worst thing, but when the fire’s blazing it’s a cosy little home,’ Bobby continued. ‘I felt like I’d really fallen on my feet when we moved in, with my work atThe Tyke, the cottage, good fresh air and all that splendid countryside. Plus I was able to make a home for my dad away from this smoky, disease-ridden town, and help him find a healthy job he loves.’ This time, a tear arose naturally at the thought of all she would be saying goodbye to. ‘Now I’m going to lose it all, thanks to the bloody war,’ she said in a choked voice.
Tony gave her hand a clumsy pat.
‘There, there,’ he said, looking rather out of his depth. Still, Bobby could tell he was sympathetic. And what was better: therewas a certain calculating sparkle in his eye that meant he was well on the way to where she wanted him to be.
She dabbed at her eyes with a hanky and summoned a grateful smile.
‘Thanks for listening, Tony,’ she said. ‘I don’t know why I’m telling you all this. I needed to unburden, I suppose, and I didn’t want to give our Lilian anything else to think about. She’d worry herself sick about Dad if she knew he was about to become homeless, and that wouldn’t be good for the baby.’
‘No.’
‘Can I get you another?’ she asked, nodding to his nearly empty pint. She needed to be getting back to Silverdale, as she had promised Reg, but she wasn’t prepared to leave until her work here was done.
‘Best not,’ he said, rather to her surprise – she’d never known Tony to refuse a beer when someone else was paying. ‘Your Lil’ll have my guts for garters if I go home reeking.’
Bobby laughed. ‘Spoken like a true married man.’
Tony looked pensive while he finished his cigarette.
‘Is your boss wanting a young lad for this job then?’ he said after a bit.
‘I suppose he’d prefer someone older with a bit of experience, but a quid a week isn’t likely to tempt anyone when there are well-paid jobs going begging for men not in the forces. He’ll have to take what he can get.’
‘Would he consider me, do you reckon?’
Bobby had never been so grateful for the acting experience she had gained when Topsy had recruited her for the village pantomime. She made her eyes wide with feigned surprise.
‘You?’ she said, blinking.
Tony shrugged. ‘Why not? I’ve got experience.’
‘You wouldn’t want a job at that wage, would you?’
‘The wage isn’t so bad if it comes with a house. Like you said, I’d be no better off in the Army, and I’d rather be at a nice warm desk than getting my brains shot out in Africa or lugging sacks around in Liverpool.’ He stubbed out his cigarette. ‘Anyhow, owt’s better than being crammed in at my mam’s listening to our Oliver snoring. It’s hard to enjoy your conjugal rights when you and your wife can’t even have your own room.’
‘I hadn’t thought of it like that,’ Bobby said. ‘I suppose there are a lot of advantages, when you look at it that way.’
‘Your sister would like it too, I reckon. Being with her old man, away from the bombs.’ He met her eyes. ‘Don’t you think she would? You know her better than me.’
Bobby couldn’t help reflecting on the irony of this: that a man should know so little of the woman he had married.
‘She’d appreciate being near Dad,’ she said. ‘I’m sure Mary would help with the baby too – Reg’s wife. She loves children. Do you think you’ll apply?’
Tony still looked hesitant. ‘Your dad might not be keen. He knows now, does he?’
‘He knows.’
‘Everything? The baby too?’
‘Everything. Including how you held back that story to get Lil to go on dates with you.’
