waist, and wore a new hat to match, with a brocade band and rosette at the side. Her shoes were of deep violet, and she wore a light cashmere wrap in case it became too cold. It was soon clear that she was not needed in The Dower House, so she made her way down the path towards her father’s cottage home.
“Dad, how are you getting on?”
“Bloody tie. Never wear the things, and all of a sudden, here I am, having to wrestle with this bit of cloth.”
Maisie regarded her father, standing before her, fidgeting in the new bespoke suit she had persuaded him to wear for his wedding. Jook stood to one side, her ears envelope-flapped in anticipation of something unusual in the air.
“Did you think your old jacket, your corduroy trousers, and a red neckerchief would make Mrs. Bromley swoon?” said Maisie.
“Now then, before you start, my Maisie, come and help me with this tie.”
Maisie stood before her father, took the two ends of the tie, then pulled one longer than the other. Her father spoke again as she lifted his chin and began to work to achieve the perfect knot.
“I won’t forget your mother, you know,” said Frankie.
“No, Dad. I know you won’t. But you’ve been lonely for long enough,” replied Maisie.
“Broke my heart, you know, losing her. And losing you.”
“You never lost me, Dad,” said Maisie, stepping back to check the tie. “Don’t ever regret anything you did, because you had my best interests at heart when you found me a job in service. And it all worked out the right way in the end, didn’t it? Even better than we could ever have imagined.”
“Maisie,” said Frankie. “I know you loved Dr. Blanche, and I know I could never have given you all that he gave you—the education, the books, and the learning. But did I do right by you?”
Maisie placed her hands on her father’s shoulders. “You did everything right for me, Dad. Everything. And you did everything right for Mum. She loved you more than anything else, and you loved her to the end of her days.”
“And beyond,” said Frankie. “And beyond.”
“But it’s time to walk up that hill now. Your future awaits, and I think Mum would have been so very happy for you. I know I am.” She leaned forward and kissed her father on the cheek. “May I escort you to meet your bride?”
“Jook’s coming, too, you know.”
Father and daughter walked the path to The Dower House, followed by the cross-bred dog with a large white bow around her neck. James joined them to wait for Mrs. Bromley to walk down the staircase into the hall.
Frankie Dobbs smiled as his bride stepped onto the landing above.
“Would you care to come to the church with me and be my wife, Brenda?” said Frankie.
“Yes,” said Mrs. Bromley. “I would be honored, Frank.”
James took Maisie by the hand. “We’d better get going, Maisie. We don’t want to get there after the bride and groom, do we?”
As James drove away from The Dower House and towards the church, Maisie opened her mouth to say something, but stopped, for she realized she didn’t know what to say. James filled in the silence.
“March 31st, Maisie. You need say nothing until March 31st.”
The chauffeur came to collect James before dawn the following morning. The house was silent, and before the crunch of tires was heard on the gravel driveway, Maisie and James had been sitting in the kitchen, where Maisie prepared a breakfast of tea and toast.
“Write, James. Tell me how things are faring. And—I know this sounds trite—please, do please be careful. I don’t trust aeroplanes at the best of times, and—”
“Don’t, Maisie.” James placed his hand on hers. “I am involved with John Otterburn’s plans to test new fighter aircraft, and I must see this through because I believe in what he is trying to do. I won’t take unnecessary chances, and believe me, much of my work will be on the ground—I’ve not the reflexes of the younger aviators. I’m too much of an old graybeard, I’m afraid.”
“I know all that, but—”
“But nothing.” Approaching headlamps cast a light across the ceiling. “That’s my transport, Maisie. Now, you must take care, too. You’re the one going off into the unknown, and you’re the one who must write with news.”
“I promise.”
“Good. Now, let’s get this over with, shall we?” He stood up and pulled Maisie to him, holding her tight. “I love you, Maisie. I love you