‘Yes, let’s,’ Dot said.
The family enjoyed enormous helpings of Kate’s beef stew and chatted about Ronnie and Tilly’s visit to London. Kate asked about the Winton family and Ronnie told her about Mr Winton’s heart attack.
‘Did she say anything about the other children? Well, not children any more. Clara? Simon and Sophie, the twins?’ Kate asked.
‘She said that Simon was a pilot and missing in action, but no mention was made of Sophie or Clara,’ Tilly replied. ‘There’s a whole side of this family and your past, Kate, that I know nothing about. Perhaps you would tell me all about your life in London sometime. We all get so busy with our own lives that we often don’t find the time to talk about the past.’
‘It seems like a lifetime away that I was working for the Winton family. So much has happened since then,’ Kate said.
‘And one of the best things has to be you finding Albert,’ Ronnie said. ‘You’ve been a wonderful father to me, Albert. Whatever happens to me in this war, I want you to know that.’
Albert’s eyes filled with tears. ‘Now, let’s not talk about that. Let’s make the most of our time together right now. You will be leaving us soon, the two of you. Let’s make this a happy time.’
‘I’ll drink to that,’ said Ronnie, raising his glass of cider.
‘It’s been an eventful homecoming all right,’ said Tilly. ‘I didn’t expect to be finding out a whole side of our family history that I knew nothing of. Any more skeletons in the cupboard you want to tell us about, Kate, Dot?’
‘Well, there is something I have to tell you all,’ Dot said.
All eyes turned to Dot. Slowly, a weak smile crept across Dot’s face. Her hands went to her belly, which she cradled gently.
‘Oh, Dot,’ Kate cried out. ‘I’m so pleased for you.’
Kate got out of her seat and went to her sister’s side. She pulled Dot to her feet and wrapped her arms around her. The sisters held each other tightly and Tilly joined them. The three sisters all weeping for joy.
Kate took Dot’s hands and smiled.
‘You’ve been through so much over the past months, Dot. I have felt helpless in the face of your grief. The loss of William was a huge blow and there is nothing we can do to ease your hurt, but the arrival of a little one, after all your years of waiting, will help you to recover your joy. Every time you look into your baby’s eyes, you will see William.’
‘And I’m going to be an auntie again,’ Tilly said with a grin. ‘We all have something to fight for in this war. Ronnie is right, we don’t know what will happen to any of us but one thing is certain, the Truscott–Locock family will survive. I wonder what the generations to come will inherit from us? Will they be curious about us? The way we lived? The minute detail of our lives. Or will we all be forgotten?’
‘That’s all a bit deep thinking for this evening, Tilly. Shall we drink a toast to the new life that our Dot is carrying and make avow to bring him up the best way we know how, with love and support for whatever he chooses to do with the life that is given to him,’ said Ronnie.
‘Or her,’ said Tilly.
‘Of course,’ Kate said. ‘It could be a girl. Another girl to carry on the strength of the Truscott women’s line.’
‘We’ll all drink to that,’ said Jim.
The family were so happy that evening that Ronnie couldn’t find the words to tell them that he would leave in two days’ time to report back for duty.
Chapter 27
Several days after Ronnie left amid much hugging and tears, Tilly felt she had rested and regained her strength enough, and began to feel restless. The best way to cope with such feelings was to get back to the fight. Dot was feeling stronger too.
‘I’m ready for this baby now,’ Dot said. ‘I feel confident that being here with Kate and Sarah will make me feel much more comfortable. After all, they have birthed four children between them and Mary Suss is a very experienced midwife. Once I’m a new and inexperienced mother, I’m going to need all the help I can get. I think motherhood is going to be much harder than a class full of children. At least when the bell goes, they all go home.’
‘I think you’re right there,’ Tilly agreed with a smile. ‘I’m so pleased that you are back to your old self, Dot. I feel happier about leaving you here, in safe hands. I need to prepare myself for my next posting. I’m going to see my colleagues at the Royal before I get recalled. There are a few people I want to see.’
By a few, she really meant Jonathan. She felt as if she needed to find out whether she still had feelings for him and he for her before she left the country again. She wasn’t sure.
‘You’re not going back, are you?’ Dot asked, a look of deep concern on her face. ‘Haven’t you done your bit?’
‘Who knows when this war will end?’ Tilly replied. ‘Our boys need all the help they can get out there.’
‘Might your wish to return have anything to do with a certain surgeon who went out of his way to deliver a letter to us?’ asked Dot.
‘What’s this?’ Kate asked.
