As they sat together on the train Angel thought hard about how much she should tell Actor about where they were going
He had asked no more questions, just packed his things and taken her to the station.
`Thank you`, she said
`For what? He asked her.
`For just being you , and letting me do this in my own time`. She said.
`I take it you are ready to tell me what we are doing? He asked her politely.
`We are going to see Sylvie,` she said.
`Why all the secrecy? He enquired.
`She got married two months ago and I need to know that she's okay`, she told him.
`Is there any reason she shouldn't be? He asked .
Angel sighed.
`She's five months pregnant`, she said , hoping that he would understand.
`I see`, he whispered.
`You do? She asked.
`Well unless I am mistaken that would be just about the time she was here with us`,
Angel nodded.
`It seems she was one very careless young lady`, he said, `and we have one very reckless individual working with us. Does that about sum up the situation?
`Just about`, said Angel.
`Does he know? He asked.
Angel once again shook her head.
`I need to find out exactly how she feels about him knowing, before I say anything I shouldn't.`
A very wise decision if I may say so`. He said , and I see why you wanted me to accompany you, a little moral support goes a long way, am I right?
`Yes`, she said smiling at him, it does`,
`Well , lets see if we can get this sorted out without anyone getting hurt too badly, shall we? He asked.
Angel nodded and then looked out of the window. She had an awful feeling that as much as she would like them to be, things were not going to be that simple.
…...
The man standing in front of her was not at all what she had expected to find when she had knocked on Sylvie's door.
`Can I help you? He asked politely.
`I'm looking for Sylvie`, said Angel.
`Who is it dear? A voice called from somewhere behind him.
Angel smiled feeling somewhat relieved to hear the term of endearment.
`Oh just someone who wants to know why she's not officially been offered the job of Godmother`, she called.
`The man looked a little stunned.
`Angel`, a voice shrieked.
`That would be me`, said Angel smiling at the flour covered woman now standing in front of her.
`Why didn't you tell me you were coming? Asked Sylvie.
`Couldn't , what with waiting for the pass for Actor, and getting the Doc to say I could come, it was all just spur of the moment. You gonna ask us in or are we only getting as far as the doorstep?
She asked laughing.
Sylvie hugged her.
`Come in, please, oh it's so good to see you, how long can you stay? Oh we have so much catching up to do`. She said hugging her again.
`I've missed you too Sylv, said Angel now get that kettle on will you. I'm dying for a cuppa.
Sylvie giggled,
`Nothings changed then? She asked.
`Well I don't know about that, ` she said patting the bump in front of her.
`Oh my , I'm so sorry , `Angel this is my husband Steve, and Steve this is Angel.
`Had a feeling it might be` he said smiling, `She's told me a lot about you two.`
`Oh heavens`, said Angel in mock horror, And you're still going to let me in?
`If you promise to behave and not lead my wife astray , I'll take a chance`, he laughed.
`Actor, said Sylvie, won't you come in?
`Actor held out his hand to shake Steve's.
`Sorry mate , will have to be the other one, ` said Steve matter of factly as he showed Actor the artificial hand.
Actor just changed hands as if it was the most natural thing in the world and shook the hand that Steve now offered him.
`Used to be in the Army , got the wrong side of a grenade,` he said in explanation. `Couple of good things came out of it though, the Army doesn't want me now, so they're sending me home, and I
met this lovely lady at the hospital, and fell in love.
Actor smiled at Sylvie
`As far as the lady is concerned you are indeed a very lucky man`, he said.
`Still as charming as ever then`, laughed Sylvie
`Oh, even worse than before `, Angel giggled.
Steve looked at Actor.
`You get the impression things are going to go downhill from here? He asked as the two girls walked away giggling.
`Most definitely `, said Actor liking Steve immediately, `And I think the best thing we can do is let them get it out of their systems`.
Steve smiled.
`I think you called that just right`, he said and the two of them followed the girls into the kitchen.
…..
The four of them sat around the fire later that evening, with coffee waiting on the small table in front of them.
`Shall I be mother? Asked Sylvie.
`Might as well get in some practice`, said Angel patting the bump.
Both women started to giggle again.
`Oh I have missed you `, said Sylvie smiling at her.
`Yeah, they were good times, crazy but good`. Said Angel
`Are they all okay? She asked quietly.
`Angel looked at her.
`It's alright, Steve knows all about Casino, and the others, wouldn't marry him until he knew the whole truth, wouldn't have been right.` she said.
Steve moved to his wife's side and held her hand.
`As far as I'm concerned all that is in the passed, and it was a mistake that will give me a son I will cherish as my own,` he said kissing her cheek.
`Unless it's a girl of course`, said Sylvie
Angel couldn't help but smile at them.
`This is going to be Steve's baby, when we get home no-one will ever know any different, it's the way we both want it , can you both understand that? She asked.
Angel smiled,
`I understand it and approve wholeheartedly, but what about Casino? Doesn't he at least have the right to know?
Sylvie looked at her sadly
`When I found out I was having his child my first instinct was to run back and tell him, but I couldn't do it. I knew the way things were I couldn't be with him, I couldn't wait for them like you do.
Knowing each time that he might not come back, that would have been no life for either of us, It would have destroyed me Angel, I don't know how you deal with it.`
`One day at a time`, said Angel quietly.
Sylvie smiled
`Then when I met Steve, well it was just good to have someone to talk to, to trust, and when I told him about Casino and the baby, he didn't run. He offered us a home instead, and I said yes.
He knew then that I didn't love him the way I loved Casino, said he would take whatever love I had left to give him. I guess he was a lot smarter then I was, and he was just willing to wait until I
realised that I loved him too. Not in the crazy way that I loved Casino. But it is something just as special.`
`I can see that`, said Angel.
`So I pass the test then? Asked Steve smiling at her. `Well that is partly why you came , isn't it? To see if I was good enough for her?
Angel grinned back at him
`Smart boy aren't you? She asked
`Not quite as dumb as I look`, he laughed.
`Well then, I think you'll do quite nicely , ` she said.
He pulled Sylvie to him.
`Feel better now she's given us her blessing? He asked.
Sylvie blushed.
`She was worried you wouldn't like me, I did tell her that was never going to happen, after all what's not to like? He asked laughing.
`Modest little thing isn't he? Angel asked Sylvie.
`Reminds me of someone else I know`, said Sylvie , nodding towards Actor.
`Laughter filled the room and then slowly Sylvie stopped.
`What's the matter love? Steve asked.
`Casino does have a right to know, doesn't he? She said quietly.
`Yes dear he does, he risks his life all the time, he should know there is someone special he is doing that for,` said Steve.
`Maybe I should go and see him before we leave? She asked.
`If that's what you want, then that is what we'll do`, he said.
`I'd rather do it by myself`, she said.
`So you shall, but I will be there too for when you need me, and who knows he might want to meet me, just as Angel did.`
Sylvie shook her head.
`He's gonna be madder than hell that I didn't tell him. Gonna yell a lot`, she said smiling, `He's part Italian, very volatile`,
`He won't try and hurt you? He questioned.
`Oh no, never, but he'll be hurt, and he doesn't like to show that part of himself to anyone`, she said.
`Then if it's alright with Angel and Actor we will travel back with them the day after tomorrow.` Steve said.
`You're sure you want to do this? Asked Angel.
`It's the first time I have been sure about it , it's the right thing to do.` she said.
Angel yawned.
`Sorry,` she said, `It's been a long day`.
Actor looked at her.
`I should have realised before that you were getting tired, my apologies Angel.` he said. `If you will excuse us it is time we returned to the hotel,
Sylvie looked worriedly at her friend.
`You're sure you're alright? She asked.
Angel nodded.
`Just done a little to much, that's all, a good nights sleep will work wonders. I take it we do get invited to lunch? She asked smiling.
`Indeed you do`, said Sylvie.
Steve opened the door for them and the chill of the evening made Angel shiver, or it could just have been shock.
For there standing in front of her was Casino.