Free Angel of the North by Annie Wilkinson Page A

smouldering about Charles’s failure to back her up with Hannah, but now was not the time to bring it up and spoil their last
few moments together.
    He was happily oblivious, or pretending to be. ‘I’m sorry I have to go and leave you to deal with this mess with your parents on your own, Marie,’ he said, and the hazel eyes
gazing into hers had a truly troubled look. ‘If I had any choice in the matter, I’d stay and help, but I haven’t, so I’ll have to do it by proxy. Dad’s promised to run
you up to Beverley whenever you want to visit your mother, as long as the petrol ration stretches to it.’
    ‘I should think his petrol ration will stretch a lot further with you away,’ she said.
    ‘Ha ha. Anyway, keep him to it. I was thinking that if we got married on my next leave, you could get the allowance. At least it would help towards paying the rent and other expenses.
Until then you might be able to get some help from the government. Dad will look into that for you, as well.’
    She looked up, startled. ‘Is that a proposal? We’re not even engaged!’
    Charles pulled a tiny box out of his inside pocket. ‘That’s your fault. We might have been engaged yesterday, if you’d asked me in. What do you say, Marie? Shall we make a go
of it?’ He placed the little box in her hand.
    She flipped the lid open. On a cushion of deep blue velvet lay a beautiful gold ring. Three bright diamonds twinkled up at her.
    ‘Oh, Charles, I’m sorry.’
    His face fell.
    ‘I mean, I’m sorry about last night,’ she said. ‘But why on earth didn’t you back me up with Hannah?’
    ‘Let’s forget last night; it’s water under the bridge. Does that mean yes? Do you like the ring?’
    She slipped it onto her ring finger. ‘It’s a dead fit. I like it better than Nancy’s. It looks real nice, doesn’t it?’
    ‘Does that mean yes?’
    She looked up and laughed. ‘Go on, then.’
    ‘Don’t go overboard, will you?’ he grinned and, pulling her towards him, gave her a long, lingering kiss before releasing her and looking deep into her eyes. ‘I’ve
got some plans for us, my beauty, when the war’s over. Wider skies, and broader horizons. We’re going to spread our wings and fly.’
    ‘Hull’s got pretty wide skies and broad horizons,’ she said. ‘The countryside’s flat for miles around.’
    ‘You know what I mean.’
    ‘I do, but I’m needed here.’
    ‘I know. I understand what a terrible time you’re going through, Marie,’ he said earnestly, ‘but it won’t last forever. I wish I could be with you but I
can’t, so I’ll help in the only way I can.’ He put two five-pound notes into her pocket. ‘Keep them, just in case. I don’t want you to be stuck for money.’
    ‘I’ll take it, but I won’t spend it unless I absolutely have to. I’ll hand it back when I see you again, if I can.’
    He pulled her close and kissed her, then said: ‘You know, I’d trust you with my life, never mind ten pounds. It’s there for you to spend, if you get stuck. You’re the
most honest, decent, unselfish girl I’ve ever met, but don’t let that brother of yours con you into having him home. He can’t look after himself, and you’ll find
you’ve made a rod for your own back. When your mother comes out of hospital get Pam back instead, and let her make herself useful. She’s old enough to do her share. It shouldn’t
all land on your shoulders.’
    ‘I’ll have no choice if I want to carry on working, but I don’t think she’ll come willingly.’
    ‘Then make her come however it has to be. I do love you, old thing. Did I ever tell you that?’
    ‘Once or twice.’ He looked expectantly into her eyes, and she softened enough to say the words she knew he was waiting for: ‘I love you too.’
    And it was the truth. She did love Charles. She watched him go, certain they would marry and longing for the day when the war was over and she was settled with him, with a couple of miniature