Maggie’s rosy cheeks hinted her temper was up. “I lost my Reg in the last war, young lady. I wouldn’t be rushing into another one, let me tell you.”
Enid looked like she would burst. Sally jumped up, pretending to just notice the clock.
“Look at the time, the lads will be home soon for their supper and here we are sitting around when there is work to be done.”
“My Sam won’t go hungry. I have a hotpot all sorted. I just have to heat it up.” Enid gathered her things and left without a second glance. Sally glanced at Maggie.
“When will I learn not to invite that poisonous witch for afternoon tea?” Maggie huffed as she took the plates and cups and placed them in the sink.
“Can I help you with those, Maggie?” Sally asked, hating to see her friend upset.
“Relax Sally, love.” Maggie gave her a loving look. “Your Derek would eat a bare plate if you served it up to him. It must be love.”
Sally blushed at her friend’s teasing. It was true, Derek would eat whatever she placed in front of him. He was a lovely man, her husband. Even saying the words brought a smile to her face. Her husband. They were married. A few months ago, she hadn’t even known who Derek Matthews was but a chance meeting and here they were an old married couple.
“It must be love,” teased Susan.
“You can talk, Susan,” Sally quipped. “If Derek still looks at me the way your Ken looks at you when we’ve been married a few years, I will count myself lucky.”
“He’s a good man, my Ken, even if he does have two flat feet and a weak heart. Still, it’ll keep him out of the army if we do go to war. I don’t care what the government says, I don’t trust that Hitler, not as far as I could throw him.”
Sally sat back down. “Susan, you don’t think there will be war, do you?”
Susan’s cheeks reddened but she wouldn’t meet Sally’s eye. “For the love of God don’t be listening to me. What would I know? I’m only a housewife. Your Derek would know best, him being in the army and all. You get along now, love, and get that husband of yours fed.”
Sally rushed home, but Derek must have called into the pub for a quick half. Like Enid, she’d made a hotpot earlier so only had to heat it up. It was ready to dish up when the back door opened.
“That’s a sight for sore eyes. My beautiful wife and a home-cooked meal. I really landed on my feet, didn’t I?”
She blushed scarlet when he pulled her to him and kissed her thoroughly.
“Derek, the neighbors. Someone might see.”
“So what? I’m allowed to kiss my wife, aren’t I?”
She didn’t resist, as he kissed her again. She loved him holding her, his arms around her making her feel safe.
“So, how’s your day been? Did you get to see your friends?”
“Susan and I called down to see Maggie. Enid called in too. We listened to their radio. I wish we had a radio. I’d love to listen to music and the different shows.”
“I’ll get you one the next time I’m up in London.”
“I wasn’t hinting, Derek.”
He washed his hands and sat at the table, waiting for her to join him before he picked up his knife and fork. He had such lovely manners.
“I know, love, but it will be company for you. For when I’m away.”
Her appetite fled. She knew he would be away from time to time. He was an officer in the regular army but did he mean he had to go soon?
“Are you leaving?”
“Today? No.” He smiled but the smile fell, as he spotted the tears in her eyes. “Sally, what is it? Who upset you?”
“There was something on the news about what happened in Germany. Susan said she was glad her Ken wouldn’t be called up to fight. She thinks there will be a war.”
Sally waited for him to deny it, but he kept his eyes on his plate as if the peas would take flight if he didn’t mind them.
“Derek?” her anxiety grew with the silence.
“Can we talk about something else? How about us going up to London for a night or two? Have another honeymoon? We could see a film or go to a show. What do you think?”
“We only just got back. Do we have the money for it?” Sally was always worried about money. She couldn’t help it, having grown up the way she did.
“I have the money. I promised to look after you, didn’t I? Now wipe away those tears and get your husband some pudding. I swear I could eat a horse.”
Sally dished up his favorite, sticky-toffee pudding. Maggie had taught her how to make it. It wasn’t as good as Maggie’s but Derek didn’t complain. He said he liked it a bit crunchy on top.
Afterward, he helped her clear the table and wash up. Most men didn’t do housework, but Derek said he wanted to enjoy chatting to his wife, not watching her skivvy on his behalf. She caught herself wondering how she’d gotten so lucky, marrying this amazing man.
They sat entwined on the sofa chatting about their plans for the future.
“You’ll need a gardener, Sally. To keep the front lawn looking as good as it does. We all put so much work into getting it sorted.”
Sally grinned, remembering the early days of their courtship when she and Derek had worked side by side in the garden. He’d employed a few of the local men to pull up the weeds and clear out the rubbish. Sally had helped clean out Rose Cottage; it had been full of dust, spiders,
