"It's hard to believe," Hugh said, but as soon as the words were out of his mouth he realized they were not true: it was all too easy to believe. Nora had always put her own wishes above everything else. Now she had abandoned her children. Hugh guessed she had gone to her father's pub.
And the note seemed to imply that she was not coming back.
He did not know what to feel.
His first duty was to the boys. It was important not to upset them any further. He set his own feelings aside for a moment. "You boys are up very late," he said. "Time for bed. Let's go!"
He ushered them up the stairs. Samuel and Sol shared a room but Toby had his own bedroom. Hugh tucked the little ones in then went in to the eldest. He bent over the bed to kiss him.
"Mrs. Greenbourne's a brick," Toby said.
"I know," Hugh said. "She used to be married to my best friend, Solly. Then he died."
"She's pretty, too."
"Do you think so?"
"Yes. Is Mama coming back?"
That was the question Hugh had been afraid of. "Of course she is," he said.
"Really?"
Hugh sighed. "To tell you the truth, old man, I don't know."
"If she doesn't, will Mrs. Greenbourne look after us?"
Trust a child to go right to the heart of the matter, Hugh thought. He evaded the question. "She runs a hospital," he said. "She's got dozens of patients to take care of. I don't suppose she has time to look after boys as well. Now, no more questions. Good night."
Toby looked unconvinced, but he let the matter drop. "Good night, Father."
Hugh blew out the candle and left the room, closing the door.
Maisie had made cocoa. "I'm sure you'd prefer a brandy, but there doesn't seem to be any in the house."
Hugh smiled. "We in the lower middle classes can't afford to drink spirits. Cocoa is fine."
Cups and a jug stood on a tray, but neither of them moved to it. They stood in the middle of the room looking at each other. Maisie said: "I read about the shooting in the afternoon paper, and came here to see if you were all right. I found the children on their own, and gave them supper. Then we waited for you." She smiled a resigned, accepting smile that said it was up to Hugh what happened next.
Suddenly he began to tremble. He leaned on the back of a chair for support. "It's been quite a day," he said shakily. "I'm feeling a little odd."
"Perhaps you ought to sit down."
Suddenly he was overwhelmed by love for her. Instead of sitting, he threw his arms around her. "Hug me hard," he pleaded.
She squeezed his waist.
"I love you, Maisie," he said. "I've always loved you."
