The Last Garden in England(76)

“She’s drawing us,” said Robin.

Bobby hovered nearby. “Miss Pedley’s teaching us to draw, too.”

“Well, that is very kind of her,” said Diana, eyeing the abandoned pencils and pieces of paper covered with children’s scribbles. “However, the teacher shouldn’t also have to provide the supplies. I’ll ask Mrs. Dibble to root around the attics to see if she can find Cynthia’s old sketchbooks from when she was a girl. There must be some unused paper in there.”

“Thank you,” said Miss Pedley, her hands crossed over her sketchbook, pressed against her stomach.

“Might I have a look?” Diana asked.

“Oh, yes.” The young woman hesitated before opening the cover of the book. “It isn’t much. Just little scribbles.”

Miss Pedley turned the book to show the half-finished sketch of the two boys. Robin’s head was resting back against the tree, and Bobby’s was canted slightly to the left. Both had spindly limbs sticking out of shorts, the way that boys do. Yet for all they looked alike, there were distinct differences. Robin was confident, almost arrogant. Bobby shyer, looking out from underneath his lashes.

“Very pretty. They could be cousins posed like this,” Diana said.

“Mummy.” Robin tugged on her hand. “Mummy, I want to go show Bobby my pirate’s cave.”

“You know that you’re not allowed in the winter garden without me.”

He toed the ground. “But my pirate’s cave.”

She couldn’t help but soften. “And a very good one, I’m sure. Once I’m done with the flowers, I’ll fetch one of the keys and take you both.”

A chorus of cheers.

“I’ve been meaning to ask, Miss Pedley, if you and Captain Hastings have discussed the plans for your wedding any further,” she said.

“Yes. That is, we’ve written about them.”

“Is he still in Normandy?” Diana asked.

“He’s been attached to the Pioneer Corps, so he’s been back and forth, although he’s stationed in Southampton. I don’t know when he’ll have leave, but we’ll marry then,” Miss Pedley said.

“That’s hardly helpful for planning,” she said.

“No.” Miss Pedley sighed. “And I fear it’ll get worse. He’s trying to rejoin his original unit.”

“The man’s shoulder was nearly taken apart by a bullet,” said Diana.

Miss Pedley chewed her lip. “I had hoped that he would take to being a supply officer. I don’t want him back in combat.”

“Have you told him that? Asked him to put in a transfer that will keep him in Britain?”

Miss Pedley dipping her head was all the answer Diana needed.

“And what of you? Will you remain a land girl?” she asked.

“Yes,” breathed the young woman, as though the backbreaking labor was a relief and not a burden. “Conscription means that I’ll stay on unless I become pregnant.”

“What would you do then?” she asked.

“Graeme tells me that he could make arrangements for me to stay with his parents.”

“Where are his people from?” Diana asked.

Miss Pedley’s shoulders sagged a little further. “Colchester.”

“Colchester is quite far from Highbury, and you seem to have so many friends here.”

“I know.” Miss Pedley lifted her head, and Diana was surprised to see tears glistening in her eyes. “I’m sorry. It’s silly to become upset, but it’s just that Highbury is the first place I’ve ever been happy.”

This poor girl. That she needed help was clear, but by the looks of it, Miss Pedley had few women to guide her.

“And you wish to stay?” Diana asked.

Miss Pedley nodded. “But that’s just as silly. This isn’t my home, either. I just don’t know what to do.”

“Are you certain that you want to marry this man?” Diana asked.

Miss Pedley’s answer was immediate. “Yes. I’ve known him for so little time, but yes.”

Perhaps if she were a different person, Diana would have embraced this young woman. She’d hugged Miss Pedley once, when they’d all waited with bated breath for news of Captain Hastings from the invasion, but she couldn’t break through years of “correct” behavior quite so easily again.

Instead, she said, “Well, that brings us back to the question of your nuptials. If Captain Hastings can secure leave, I suppose you’ll want to marry here. If you like, I’ll send word to the vicar, and he can help you arrange a date around Captain Hastings’s leave.”

“Oh, thank you, Mrs. Symonds. That’s very kind,” said Miss Pedley.

“What were your plans for a wedding breakfast?” she asked.

“I hadn’t thought, yet. It all seems so daunting, especially with rationing on,” Miss Pedley said.

“You must have a wedding breakfast. You’ll have it at Highbury House,” Diana said before she could second-guess her offer—or consider how Miss Adderton would feel about it.

“At Highbury?” Miss Pedley asked.

“On the veranda, if you like, or in the morning room if it’s raining. Highbury House might be a convalescent hospital, but I think it’s proven it can still manage a party when called upon.”