‘Things look pretty serious between you and Greg. I don’t want to put you off, Ellie, but you’d be marrying into the upper classes. Do you think you can be the sort of wife someone like him expects? Remember, it didn’t work out so well with our parents.’
‘I love him, and if he asks me to marry him again, then I shall say yes this time. He might come from the same sort of background as Mum did but he’s no different from you really. He doesn’t see his family at all.’
‘Is he independently wealthy, do you know? If he isn’t, what will you live on once the war’s over?’
‘I wouldn’t dream of asking him something so personal. Dad has already given him his blessing so he must think Greg’s in a position to take care of me. Thank you for caring, but you don’t have to worry. Even if we do get engaged I’ve no intention of getting married until after the war.’
Neil hugged her. ‘That’s all right then. I notice that Mrs B and Dad seem very chummy – is something going on there too?’
‘I’m certain there is, and I’m happy for them both. Mum’s no longer part of this family and I don’t see why he shouldn’t be happy after being miserable for the past twenty years.’
*
Going to midnight service was abandoned as by ten thirty there was a blizzard blowing outside. ‘I don’t think we’ll be able to go to matins either, it’s too far to walk and the lane will be blocked,’ Dad said, trying to hide his smile of relief.
‘I’m sure it won’t matter just this once,’ Mrs B said cheerfully. ‘As long as it’s cleared so folks can get here on Boxing Day afternoon for the party, it would be a shame if that had to be cancelled.’
‘Don’t fret, Mabel, I’ll get out there with the tractor and do it in the morning. Neil, son, can you give me a hand with the milking in the morning? I’ve given the men the day off.’
‘Be happy to. Presumably this means that Jack and Greg are doing the pigs.’
Jack pretended to scowl. ‘What about Ellie? I suppose she gets a lie in.’
She smiled sweetly at him. ‘Actually, I’m helping Mrs B. I’m going to feed the birds and then anything else she wants me to do.’
‘Just make sure there’s plenty of hot water. The four of us will need a bath before lunch.’
Dad chuckled. ‘Hardly seems worth the effort as we’ll have to go out again before tea.’
Mrs B choked on her cocoa. ‘If you think you’re sitting down to Christmas lunch in your overalls, Fred Simpson, you have another think coming.’
Dad was laughing so hard he couldn’t answer. Mrs B left in a huff. ‘That wasn’t fair, Dad, you shouldn’t tease her.’
Ellie hurried out and found the housekeeper banging about in the kitchen. ‘Of course everyone will change for lunch, Mrs B. Dad was just joking. Please don’t be upset.’
‘I don’t like being laughed at – never have, never will.’ She paused in her clattering and turned to face Ellie. ‘I suppose everyone thinks I’m a silly old woman now.’
‘No they don’t. Dad’s very fond of you and didn’t mean to hurt your feelings. I’ve never seen him so happy and it’s all because of you.’
‘You don’t mind then, love, that Fred and I are getting close?’
‘The closer the better. You’re already one of the family. Is there anything we need to do tonight?’
‘The vegetables are done and in basins of cold water in the pantry. The goose doesn’t have to go on until nine o’clock. The pudding just needs another couple of hours in the steamer. Everything’s ready, thank you, love.’
‘In which case, why don’t you turn in? I’ve got to put the stockings up before I go to bed, but apart from that I’m done too.’
When she returned to the sitting room only Greg was there. ‘The others have gone up. Come and sit with me by the fire for a bit, we’ve not had the chance to talk in private so far.’
Was he going to propose again? Her pulse skipped and she joined him on the sofa knowing that this time her answer would be yes.
Twenty-three
Jack was still awake when Greg came to bed. He’d been reading The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler, a book that one of the guys in his training group had loaned him. Reading an American book made him half-wish he’d not come back. His life had been less complicated and definitely less grim.
He put the book down on the bedside table. ‘Am I to congratulate you?’
Greg’s mouth tightened but then he smiled, but it wasn’t very convincing. ‘I’ve got the ring in my pocket, was intending to ask again, but something she said made me think again.’
Bloody hell! Had the silly girl told him about the kiss?
‘It’s none of my business, mate, you don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to.’
‘I might as well, you’ll hear soon enough in the morning.’ He slumped onto his bed and rubbed his eyes. The poor bloke looked knackered as well as miserable.
‘Ellie loves you and you love her so I can’t see why there should be a problem.’
‘If only it were so easy. Before I could pop the question, she said there were some things she wanted to ask me. Neil had been talking to her about the danger of marrying into a family like mine.’
‘It’s none of his business – just because their mother made all their lives miserable, and never fitted in, it doesn’t mean that Ellie will be the same.’
‘I tried to reassure her that I don’t want her to change but she persisted with her questions.’ He rubbed his eyes again before continuing. ‘She asked me where we would be living when the war was over and what sort of employment I would
