Maggie insisted that there was nothing Sheila or George could do, but she would wait up in case the police had any news. She sat in the kitchen, too terrified to sleep, wondering how Sid and Ronnie were, whether they were terrified. When would she hear something? Had it been Sam who'd taken them?
George came down at six. 'Maggie, you must try and sleep, or you'll not be fit for the lads if they need you,' he said, coming up behind her and putting his hands on her shoulders as she sat by the table. 'Sheila's getting up now, so promise me you'll try to sleep for a bit. She'll wake you if anything happens.'
'I couldn't sleep, George. I'd have nightmares.'
'Well, at least lie down. Promise?'
'What about work?'
'I'll have to go in, but I'll send one of the lads round every so often to see whether you've heard something.'
'I ought to go in.'
He gave her a quick hug. 'Rubbish, you're not fit to concentrate. Now, what about a fresh pot of tea?'
It was the middle of the morning before Sam appeared at the door. Sheila had gone to the shops, and Maggie had made the young ones play upstairs, where Hattie, grumbling at this change in her normal routine, had been told to polish all the wardrobes and dressing tables instead of her favourite sideboard.
'Where have you got them?' Maggie demanded, her voice hoarse from tears she'd forced herself to keep back.
'Wouldn't you like ter know!'
'Sam, I swear I'll murder you if you've hurt them!'
He laughed. 'They're big lads now. Sid's getting on fer ten, ain't he? Nearly ready fer work.'
'Where is he?'
'Safe, wi' pals of mine. Maggie me luv, no one's gonna hurt him, if yer does what I want.'
'What do you mean? Which pals? Them brutes that threatened me?'
'What about a cuppa?'
'Not until yer gives me some answers. Are they OK?'
Sighing, he sat down at the kitchen table and Maggie stood opposite, wondering how best to make him tell her. Then Sam began to speak, his tone a mixture of complaint and wheedling.
'Maggie, yer did me wrong when yer left me an' come here. I wants me family. I needs the kids. An' I needs a job, but no one'll tek on a gaolbird. I've got a couple o' nice rooms, in Spons End, all ready fer yer. If yer comes back, and if yer precious George gives me a job, we'll get the lads back. I promise yer.'
'That's blackmail!'
'Yer did me wrong, leaving me, deprivin' me of me own kids. Most decent folk 'ud be on my side. Well, do yer want the lads back? Or is it more important ter live wi' yer fancy man? Two on yer, 'e's got, lucky blighter, and all I want is me own lawful wife.'
Maggie thought fast, but she was so tired her brain seemed to be going round in circles. Could she pretend, agree to go with him, then when the boys were brought back, get away from Coventry somehow, go where he would not be able to find them?
'I can't answer fer George,' she said slowly.
'He's got kids,' Sam replied.
'Yes, and if you touched a single hair he'd put you back in gaol! I'm yer wife, some folk who don't know yer might have some sympathy! I'll have to ask him,' she finished, sitting down in a chair, defeated. She needed to keep him sweet, at least until she had the boys back and out of his reach.
*
'Daphne! how lovely to see you? How are you? Did you enjoy Paris?'
Kate knew she was babbling, but she was so astounded to see Daphne, suddenly appearing after such a long time. She tried to reckon it. It was well over a year since she'd had a letter from Daphne, in Paris. Then she'd been dismissed from the Wilsons' employment, so if Daphne had written again they would almost certainly have destroyed the letters. And she had been too ashamed to write, afraid of the condemnation and also in case it would have seemed as though she was appealing for help.
Daphne, appearing astonished still, just stared at her. She seemed so sophisticated, out of school uniform, almost two years older than when they'd last met, and in a strange way more aloof. Kate admitted that they had inevitably grown apart in that time. Daphne's life had presumably continued in the expected way, a year in Paris, and lots of social activities amongst the wealthy Edgbaston residents since she returned home, unlike Kate's experiences. Kate shuddered. She did her utmost to forget the time between leaving school and coming to Walsall.
'Let's go inside,' Robert said again, 'and Kate can get out of those flying clothes.'
Kate turned to him in surprise. 'Aren't we going up again? There's time now the days are getting longer. Oh, but perhaps you have to get back to Birmingham.'
They began walking towards the Club House and Kate barely heard what they were saying. She was just vaguely aware of Daphne's surprised exclamation and Robert's quiet reply.
'You are teaching Kate to fly? But Robert, why on earth do you have to do that? Surely, if she wants to fly, there are plenty of instructors?'
'I want to do it. She's going to be as brilliant as Amy Johnson if she has the chance.'
Kate was trying to sort out her emotions. He'd be taking Daphne back. No doubt Daphne had come with someone else, probably they'd arranged this. The thought gave her an odd feeling of desertion, and she berated herself. She was being foolish. Robert had been kind, had spent a lot of time with her these past few weekends, but that was just because he recognised she had ability, as he had so often said, and it was a pleasure for him to teach someone who was so much more competent than the other people he had occasionally taught to fly. It was no more than that, and the realisation struck her with stunning force. Why on earth had she, even for a brief, unreal second, allowed herself to imagine it was because he still liked her?
She forced herself to ask Daphne again about Paris, and this time Daphne replied.
'It was wonderful, Kate. You must try and go there one day. But it's even more magical if the company is pleasant. Isn't it, Robert? But how about you? You must have fallen on your feet if you can afford flying lessons from Robert. Did you find a wealthy – husband? I'd have thought that would have kept you busy enough without bothering to learn to fly.'
Kate flushed at her tone. Why was she being so unfriendly? This wasn't the old Daphne. 'I have a job,' she said quietly. 'I'm saving up for lessons.'
'A job?' Daphne sounded surprised. 'Oh, Kate, what can you be doing to earn that much? Not working in a dress shop, surely?'
'Kate is brilliant, and if war comes we'll need pilots, women as well as men,' Robert said briefly.
Daphne began to laugh. 'You mean women will fly those big aeroplanes, what are they called, bombers? I don't think that's likely, Robert.'
'Who knows? But there is other work for competent pilots which doesn't involve bombing the enemy. Women pilots are no stranger than female doctors.'
'It won't come to war. Mr Chamberlain won't let it.'
'Are you studying to be a doctor, Daphne?' Kate seized on this safer topic. 'You always said you wanted to.'
'I'm at med school, yes, but I'm not sure I'll finish. It's sometimes a bore. But my last letter was returned, they said you'd left suddenly. Why did you do that?'
Kate hesitated. Would Mrs Wilson have told Daphne's mother about her? If so, would Mrs Carstairs have told Daphne? Was she, in this oddly antagonistic mood, trying to trick her? Then she told herself not to be so suspicious. Daphne was a friend. Her coldness, her insensitivity, could probably be explained by jealousy that Robert was paying attention to someone else, however innocently. This was a thought she'd have to examine later.
'I found a job here, through a friend,' she said as calmly as she could.
Daphne looked at her, eyebrows raised. 'I see,' she said. 'I'm sorry you didn't write, keep up with your old friends.'
So that was it, Kate thought in some relief. Daphne was annoyed with her over that.
'And your mother? And Maggie and her family? How are they?'
'They went to Coventry. I haven't seen them for a long time. My letters must have gone astray, Maggie never replied.'
'Oh, you poor thing! But not having them to consider might have helped you save for your flying lessons.'
'Perhaps.' Would she prefer to have the worry of Hattie instead? Kate had to admit she would not, now she knew the bliss of soaring through the sky.
She went to change, and when she returned felt that the atmosphere had become frosty. Daphne was glowering, Peter looked uncomfortable, and Robert had a determined look on his face, the one he'd had when he tried to refuse her money.
Peter leapt to his feet and pulled out another chair for Kate. 'We've been trying to persuade Miss Carstairs to join us for dinner, ' he said. 'But she says she has to return to Birmingham. I'm taking her to the station, and I'll see you and Robert later.'
*
Maggie turned a wan face to George. 'Thank you. It's been a great help having the van to move the furniture.'
'I'm sorry,' he said. 'We didn't want to lose you. At least you'll be able to get to the factory by tram.'
'Thank you for giving Sam a job. I'll do my best to make sure he works hard!'
Until, she thought, she had her children back with her and could escape. She did not dare confide her plans to anyone. At least the problem of Hattie had been taken from her. Sheila had insisted Hattie remained with them, and refused to let Maggie pay towards her keep.
'She does a lot for me, truly,' she'd said. 'I can leave the children with her, and if you bring your Betty here while you're at work and the others come here after school she can look after them as well as mine. It lets me go shopping and cook in peace. And if you can ever come back, it will be less disturbing for her.'
Maggie stood in the doorway and watched George drive the van away. She looked at the row of identical small houses lining the road, their doors opening straight from the front parlours onto the pavement. They were mean and cramped, worse than the ones she'd lived in when she first came to Coventry. The prospect of living here, even without Sam and his pals, did not appeal after the comfort she'd known with Sheila and George. What made it worse was that the two men Sam said owned the house, the ones who had come out of prison at the same time as he did, said they were not going to move out of the two upstairs bedrooms to make room for Sam and his family. They would all have to sleep in this front parlour.
Sam had promised the boys would be returned that night, if she did as he wanted. Maggie had felt she had no choice. George had urged her to go to the police and charge him with kidnapping, but Maggie had refused. She knew Sam's former associates, the ones who had threatened her, and that he'd admitted now held the boys, would have no fear of the police, and she dreaded what they might do if she didn't cooperate.
'I told 'em what they wanted ter know,' Sam had revealed. 'Where their stuff were stashed. In return, they offered ter help me persuade you yer place were with me.'
Jeannie looked after little Betty, taking her and her sister to join the other children who were playing hop-scotch and kicking balls around in the street outside. There wasn't much she could do, apart from cook a meal and make up beds on the floor. She'd made Sam promise that if she did come back, he would leave her alone, and rather to her surprise he'd agreed without much argument.
Sheila had given her some stewing meat and vegetables. Maggie had agreed that she would cook for Sam's friends, but she'd pointed out that if she were late at work they'd have to do it for themselves.
'Ferget that! Yer can get it ready night before,' Sam said.
The kitchen was filthy, and after she'd put the meat and vegetables in a big saucepan and set it on the hob she began to clear the mess of unwashed crockery and rancid left-overs. Boiling kettle after kettle on the open fire made her hot and irritable. Rather ruefully she thought that a few months of easier living in Sheila's house, with gas and electricity laid on, even hot water from a geyser, had made her soft.
Sam came in as it began to get dark, and Maggie called in the children.
'Where are the lads?' she asked when they were all sitting round the kitchen table, now scrubbed and clean.
'They'll be here, don't fret.'
It was two hours later before Maggie, who was sitting in the parlour looking out of the window, saw a small car pull up a few doors away, next to the entry which led to the backs of the houses. A man and a boy got out, the man pushing the child in front of him as they went into the narrow tunnel. Maggie ran to the kitchen.
'Is this them?' she asked Sam, who was lounging in front of the fire in the only armchair, smoking a cigarette.
He grinned, and when a knock was heard he leered at Maggie in triumph and called out to them to come in.
All Maggie saw was Ronnie, and when he saw her he ran to cling to her, his face hidden, his shoulders heaving with sobs.
'Ronnie, love, it's all right now, you're back with us,' she soothed, and looked up, expecting to see Sid follow him in. Instead she saw one of the men who'd so terrified her before. 'Where's Sid?'
'Is that 'is name? A bit skinny, but we'll mek 'im tougher.'
'What do you mean? Yer promised they'd be brought back! Sam, what's going on?'
Sam smirked. 'Well, Maggie luv, I'm not at all sure you'd keep your side of the bargain. So me pals offered ter keep one of the lads ter mek sure yer does. I s'pose they want Sid 'cause he's older, can do little jobs fer 'em. If yer does what I want, they'll let yer see 'im sometime.'
*
Daphne seethed in silence as Peter's car swerved round the clock tower on The Bridge, narrowly avoided a bicycle, and drew up in front of the station in Park Street. Even his erratic driving had failed to penetrate her absorption.
'Such a pity you couldn't stay,' he said cheerfully, bumping into the kerb. 'I hope you'll come over again one day, and if Robert's too busy with his teaching I could take you up. Oh, that sounds like your train. Better run.'
Daphne managed to thank him, then she stormed away, nodded brusquely to the guard who held the train until she had boarded, and flung herself down in a corner seat in an empty compartment. At least the train was not crowded. She couldn't have borne to have other people staring at her.
Now she knew why Robert had been so offhand with her, why he had not proposed, as she'd been so sure he would. From what they had said she'd worked it out that he must have met Kate again at about the same time. How could he possibly prefer that wretched girl to herself? Surely he could have no idea of what had been happening to her, how she had reverted to her slum origins? His family would be horrified if he ever contemplated marriage to such a one. Marriage? Why should she think he'd even thought about it? More likely Kate was exchanging her favours for the flying lessons. She'd always been eager to hear all she could about Amy Johnson, wanting to learn to fly, and she probably thought any sacrifice worth that. Not that it would be a sacrifice, Daphne told herself, with Kate's past experiences.
Bitter thoughts occupied her until the train drew into New Street station. Why were men like Robert attracted to sluts when well brought up, socially acceptable girls like herself were available? Did he simply not want to marry? Or was he, as she suspected her brother had done, having fun until it was time to settle down?
As she drove to Edgbaston in a taxicab she tried to decide what she could do, how she could recapture Robert's interest and if possible ruin Kate in his eyes. She wanted to tell him all about Kate, but common sense warned her that Robert would not thank her. He might turn against her instead. Perhaps she should somehow inform his family. His father had been ill several times recently, would the information upset him? Mrs Manning, however, was an even greater stickler for the proprieties than Mr Manning. If she knew, would she have any influence over Robert?
By the time she reached home she was in a better mood. She was determined to find a way of informing Mrs Manning that Robert was being gulled by a girl she would never invite into her house, unless as a servant. Perhaps her mother would pass on the information? She could explain how Kate had tried to accuse her former employer's son when she became pregnant, and suggest she might do the same to Robert. That would cause Mrs Manning to do all in her power to separate them. Robert was fond of his father, he'd understand that a threat to inform him of the liaison with Kate would upset him. At the very least, he would have to be discreet and keep Kate out of sight. He'd never be able to marry her, and perhaps Kate, if that was what she was hoping for, would realise it and turn her attention to someone else, such as that man Peter. He was obviously friendly with her, and could offer to teach her to fly as well as Robert did. And Daphne would be there, sympathetic, free, and so much more suitable than Kate.
*
Maggie sighed as she slumped into the chair in Sheila's kitchen. She was exhausted, working all hours and having to cook for the men and Sam. Many nights she didn't get to bed until midnight. There was always washing and ironing, or preparation of food for the next day, to be done. Jeannie was a help, but she was at the big school now, and Maggie thought she would be as clever as Kate, and insisted she did extra schoolwork so that she would come top of the class at the end of the year.
'I've fed them all,' Sheila said gently. 'All you need to do is put them to bed.'
'You're a great friend. It was a lucky day for me when I met George.'
'Have you heard any more about Sid? Did Sam bring him to see you like he promised?'
'What do you think? It's one excuse after another, and there's nothing I can do about it! If I don't do what he says I might never see my Sid again, and God only knows what's happening to him, where he is, all this time.'
'George told me Sam had asked him to pay over your wages direct to him.'
Maggie nodded. 'George tries to help, and he refused, but Sam waits by the gate and I have to hand them over. Then he doles out a few shillings, whatever I need for shopping. He'd determined I won't be able to save.'
'You still have what you put in the savings bank?'
'Yes, he doesn't know about that. If Sid ever gets home I'll be off, Sheila.'
'And good luck to you. You have that testimonial George wrote for you? With that you should be able to get a good job. Get in touch when you can. And don't worry about Hattie. She's much calmer than before. I'll look after her.'
'Why are you so good to us? She'd not your responsibility.'
'I lost my own mother when I was two, I can't remember her. I was brought up in a big family of cousins, my aunt never had any time for me beyond feeding and clothing me, and grumbling! She's good with the children, and as George's parents are both dead too, she's a sort of grandmother to mine. They like her. I've been so much luckier than you with my husband, I feel I ought to do something to show how grateful I am for him.'
'That sounds like a very complicated set of reasons. Thank you. Now I'd best get home.'
*
In May Robert's father was ill once more. For some days the doctor despaired of his life, but the crisis passed and he began to make a slow recovery. These repeated attacks had delayed Robert's move into a flat of his own, something he'd decided to do when he had finished his work in Paris. Much as he loved his parents, and had been happy to remain under their roof while his own movements were so uncertain, he was beginning to feel stifled by his father's constant need to discuss work and his mother's anxious concern for his welfare.
'Do you have to go flying today?' his mother asked one Saturday morning. 'You know how he likes you to sit with him, and now he's getting better he's fretting about what's happening at the factory.'
'I gave him the latest report last night,' Robert said. 'I have to go today, when the factory closes. My latest pupil is taking her test, and I need to be there.'
'I don't know why women have to learn to fly, it's not dignified.'
'When all the men are needed for war we shall be glad of them for other, civilian flying duties.'
'Daphne Carstairs doesn't want to fly.'
'Don't you think it's as important to be a doctor?'
'Yes, we need a few women doctors for dealing with children, but Daphne won't finish, not if she gets married. All suitable women are content to stay at home and look after their husbands and families.'
'I wish they could, but war looks more and more likely. We are re-arming, whatever noises the Government makes about avoiding war.'
'Planning for war is more likely to make it happen. Well, if you have to leave us alone this afternoon, do go and see your father first.'
Robert finished his breakfast and rose. 'I'll go now if you'll excuse me, Mother.'
His father was propped up in bed and the nurse they'd engaged was administering a spoonful of medicine. She smiled at Robert, and with exaggerated care left the room. Mr Manning sighed.
'I'm tired of her fussing! But the doctor says I can get up in a few days. I'll be back at work in a couple of weeks.'
'Good. We miss you.'
'I won't be here for ever, Robert, and I want to see you settled before I go.'
'Married, with half a dozen sons to take over?' Robert asked, grinning.
'It's time you settled down, you're almost thirty. By your age I was married and you were five years old.'
'Which makes you well under sixty, plenty of time left.'
His father shook his head. 'If only I believed it. Is there no one you'd care to marry?'
Robert was about to deny it, and then he decided some good news might cheer his father up. 'I haven't asked her yet,' he said. 'But you might be wishing me happiness sooner than you think.'
The smile on his father's face was reward enough. 'Then I'll try to be patient. But don't leave it too long.'
*
Kate nodded as she listened intently to the instructions. For this part of the test she had to navigate to Shropshire, then Gloucester and back to Walsall. She was not concerned. She'd been to both airfields before, and knew their peculiarities.
It was a beautiful Spring day. The situation in Europe might seem quieter, but she knew from Robert's talk with other flyers at the Club that they did not expect the peace to last. Hitler might control Austria, and Franco Spain, while Mr Chamberlain praised Mussolini's rule in Italy, but at the same time Parliament had called for a review of Britain's air defences.
Frank, as proud of her progress as he would have been if he had been learning, had arranged for her to take off a few days for last minute practice and Robert had given the engineer instructions to prepare his Tiger for her use. Kate herself was astounded that in just over three months she was considered competent enough to hold a licence, provided she passed this test. When she had done her solo flights her confidence had grown enormously.
That first solo flight had been both terrifying and magical. To know that all depended on her skill and judgement had been awesome, but Robert's confidence in her, and Peter's astonishment at her progress some time later when he'd been up with her, had made her determined to do well. Now she was looking forward to become an instructor. Then her life would change for ever, in ways she'd never dreamed of.
She set off north-westwards, skirting the industrial towns of the Black Country. Their many mines, furnaces and factories were working overtime now, and sometimes the black smoke belching from the tall chimneys made it difficult to navigate accurately. For a while she followed the straight line of Watling Street, until she passed the oddly shaped hill, the Wrekin, on her left. Then she turned southwestwards, heading for the Long Mynd. One day, Robert had said when they'd flown over it before, he would bring her here by car. It was, he said, rather like Switzerland with the steep hillsides and deep valleys.
Far to her left she could identify Wenlock Edge, and beyond it the Clee Hills. It was unlike any country she had seen before. Then she had to concentrate as she circled to the west of the Long Mynd. There were tricky air currents here, much loved by the gliders who used this airfield, but they could be a problem to the unwary pilot.
She landed competently, however, did her checks, and was soon in the air on the second leg, to the south east. There was time to look around and marvel at the many castles, and she recalled from her school history that these border lands had seen a great deal of fighting. Then she was over flatter, gentler hills approaching the Severn valley. She could see the silvery gleam of the river in the distance, and the Cotswold hills rising again beyond.
For a moment, passing between the Malverns and Worcester, she became confused. Was it Evesham or Tewkesbury due ahead of her? She shrugged. There was one quick way to find out. Below was a railway line, and she could see several small stations, no more than halts. If she identified one of them she could orient herself with the map. She swooped down, flying a few hundred feet above the rails until she was able to read the name of the nearest station on the platform boards. Good, she remembered the name on her map, and altered course accordingly as she regained height.
Soon she was at her second landing place, and then all she had to do was get back to Walsall, following the eastern edge of Birmingham and the surrounding towns.
It still made her shudder when she flew over Sutton or Kingstanding, and she did her best not to look down on anywhere that might be the Wilsons' shop or Walter's home. The reminders were painful. She looked ahead towards Barr Beacon, skirted it and came in to land. She could distinguish Robert, Tom and Peter standing outside the Club House, and felt a rush of gratitude to these men who had treated her so differently, who'd helped and encouraged her, to whom she owed so much. Blinking hard as she taxied across the grass, she waved as they walked towards her. She thought she'd done well. A dream had come true.
*
'Thank you for coming,' Mrs Carstairs said. 'I appreciate that you don't wish to leave your husband for too long, but what I have to tell you is very important. Just a quick sherry and then my husband will drive you home.'
'The sermon was very moving, I thought,' Mrs Manning replied as Mr Carstairs drove down Church Street. 'I'm praying so hard for peace, for I know Robert will join the RAF if war comes. Your Norman may have to join too.'
When Mrs Manning had been supplied with sherry, Mr Carstairs muttered that he had some letters to write, and went to his study. Mrs Carstairs sat down opposite Mrs Manning and leant forward so that she could speak quietly.
'My dear, I know I ought not to interfere, but I am aware of certain facts you may not know, and I am so anxious Robert does not make a dreadful mistake. He's been teaching a girl to fly, Daphne tells me. Have you met her?'
'Why no, there's been no cause to. He's taught several people to fly in the past, when he had more time, before my husband was so ill, and there's been the Paris factory as well.'
'I think you should ask Robert what he knows about her. She was a scholarship girl, in Daphne's class, and she caused all sort of trouble at school, almost led to it being closed down.'
'I remember you had some trouble. The same girl, you say?' Mrs Manning took a sip of her sherry.
'Yes. And I feel so guilty because Robert first met her in this house. I've been hesitating before I told you, I didn't want to cause you any distress, but Robert used to be so friendly with Daphne, and lately he has totally ignored her. He even refused to bring her home in his motor. You see, Daphne went to Walsall a little while ago, where Robert keeps his aeroplane, thinking to surprise him, and there she was, as bold as brass. She's from the slums of Birmingham, and I am deeply sorry I ever took an interest in her. It was through her sister, who used to work for me. Daphne thinks she has gained a lot of influence over Robert. He must be teaching her without payment, for she cannot have the money for flying lessons.'
His mother was complacent. 'Robert knows what's due to him, he'd never become entangled with such a girl. Why, I've been hoping for a year or more than he and your Daphne would make a match of it.'
'You can never tell with men. They can be swayed beyond reason by a pretty face. There's even more, I'm afraid. After she was expelled I persuaded friends of mine, the Wilsons, you may know them, John was at school with Robert, to give her a job in their shop in Sutton.'
'I haven't met them, but I know of them. She works for them, you say?
Mrs Carstairs rose and paced to the window. 'Not now. More sherry?'
'Thank you, no. I must be going soon. So where is she?'
'Daphne discovered that she is working in Walsall, in a gloving factory. Not the sort of background you'd want in a daughter in law.'
'Indeed not. I suppose Robert felt sorry for her. Is that all you know of her?'
'No. While she was working for the Wilsons she – well, there is no easy way to say this – she became pregnant, and she accused the Wilson boy of being the father. Of course, it was totally untrue, and the Wilsons dismissed her at once.'
'And she and Robert – no! Surely Daphne's mistaken! He would never be attracted to such a wicked girl!'
'Of course, I cannot presume to advise you, my dear, but if I were you I'd want to know what Robert intends.'
Mrs Manning stood up. 'And I do! I'm most grateful to you for undertaking what can't have been a pleasant duty. Leave it to me, Mrs Carstairs, and I will soon make sure he doesn't do anything foolish. I still have some influence over my son, even though he is nearing thirty!'
*
'You did really well, Kate. It won't be long before you qualify as an instructor, if that's what you want. Head for the aerodrome at Tamworth. We'll stop there for lunch.' Robert's voice came over the speaker tube, and Kate glanced down to check where they were. She altered course slightly, and confirmed the readings to Robert.
She had obtained her licence just the previous day, and Robert had insisted they celebrated. They were soon landing at Tamworth, and Robert took her arm and guided her to the clubhouse, where he had arranged for a car to be waiting.
'We're going somewhere special,' he said, and something in his tone made Kate glance up at him anxiously.
He'd never asked her about her life during the past months. He thought Phyllis had been an old friend from her schooldays, and had found her the job. Kate wanted to keep it that way. For most of the time in this new life she could push memories of John Wilson and Walter to the back of her mind. She still occasionally wrote to Maggie, but by now never expected a reply. Either Maggie had given her up, or, more likely, had moved and she'd never find her.
Robert drove to a restaurant a few miles away and they were soon seated at a small table in a square bay window overlooking gardens full of daffodils. Robert ordered, but chatted about neutral things until they had been served coffee. Then he fell silent for so long Kate thought he had forgotten her. She was about to speak when he stretched his hands across the table and clasped hers.
'Kate, I have something to ask you,' he said urgently. 'It's been difficult not to, but I wanted you to qualify first. I didn't want to spoil things, risk upsetting you. But you must have guessed how I feel about you.'
'You've been very kind,' Kate said quickly. 'I don't know why you should have done so much for me.'
'Because I love you. Kate, I want us to be together all the time. Is there any hope for me?'
Kate drew back, dragging her hands away from his light clasp. 'No! Robert, no, please!'
He was just like all the others! Like John Wilson! But she wasn't going to make that mistake again.
'Kate, my dear! What have I said to frighten you? If you don't love me, I can accept that, but please, don't look so terrified!'
Kate just shook her head. How could she explain?
'More coffee, Madam? Sir?'
Robert angrily waved the waiter away, and watched him cross the room.
'Kate, I don't want to press you, you're still very young, but some day I want to marry you. I love you, and want to share my life with you.'
She looked at him then, for a moment tempted. Incredibly, he meant marriage. That was something she'd never dared hope for. It would be heaven to be married to Robert, but how could she possibly accept? She was not the girl he thought. If he knew how gullible she'd been, what had happened to her, he would turn away from her in disgust.
'I can't!' she said, and a tear escaped from her eye. Angrily she brushed it away. 'We'd better get back. It will be dark soon.'
'Won't you tell me what's wrong, Kate? I wouldn't blame you, whatever it is.'
'No, Robert, please. I must get out of here!'
She stood up, tears streaming down her face, and for a second Robert sat looking up at her. She could have sworn his eyes were full of anguish as deep as her own, but she could never confess to him, and if she did he'd reject her at once.
Robert, without asking her, took the controls for the homeward journey. At Walsall, when he had driven her to her lodging, he spoke for the first time.
'I'll see you next Saturday, same time, Kate. Please, forget what happened today.'
As she watched him drive away she clenched her fists until the nails scored her flesh. He hadn't meant it. He must be glad she'd refused. But she lay sleepless all night wondering if there was any way round it. He could never marry her, they were too far apart, and she had ruined herself. But perhaps, if he knew what she was like, he might still want her without marriage? Could she face that sort of existence, once more risk the sort of rejection she'd suffered from John Wilson?
***