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“You bought it for both of us. Didn’t you, Millie? I want to practice looking at fingerprints under a microscope. Can you tell her to give me a turn?”
“I—”
Millie didn’t get a chance to finish her sentence because the moment that Constance walked into the parlor, all conversation stopped. Her whole family was assembled. God help her. It was a relief to see her sister-in-law. She was one of the few people who knew how to put Ernie in his place, and Constance needed an ally.
It looked like Millie was still dressed for work in knickerbockers, high boots, and a leather jacket. She must have come straight from the airfield. “Constance, it’s so good to see you.” She came forward, arms wide.
“You too.” Constance hugged her tighter than usual. “I’m so glad you’re here. Please help me talk some sense into my brother.”
“Oh dear. What has he done now?” She put a comforting arm around Constance’s shoulders and gave Ernie a playful glare that he returned with a smile.
“Listen, everyone.” Constance decided it was best to address the room and set things straight. Having Millie by her side boosted her confidence. “I’m very sorry about last night, and I know you’re all worried about me. I think it’s for the best that Doug and I go our separate ways, and I want to ask you not to reach out to him.”
Millie gave her shoulder a squeeze. “I’m so sorry to hear you broke up. He seemed like such a nice man.”
Pop and Ernie both turned slightly pink and looked at each other.
Dread churned in Constance’s stomach. “What did you two do?”
“Honey, we only wanted to help,” said Pop with all the earnestness of a penitent hound.
Ernie fidgeted with a loose thread on the arm of the sofa, avoiding her gaze. “We talked to Doug this morning. He said he was willing to give things another chance. All you have to do is look him in the eyes and tell him there’s nothing going on with Jack.”
“Jack?” Millie gave Constance a curious glance.
“Don’t worry about Jack,” Ernie continued, clenching the armrest with unnecessary force. “I set him straight last night. He won’t be bothering you anymore. I’ve asked Pete Hayward to drive you on the days when Millie and I can’t. I talked to him on the telephone half an hour ago, and he agreed.”
It took a lot to spark Constance’s anger, but this was too much. “Oh, I see. So, you’ve taken care of everything and arranged my whole life without consulting me on any of it?”
Millie’s eyebrows shot up.
Mom smiled ever so slightly as she knitted in the corner. “I told you, dear,” she murmured to Pop.
“I know you did, but I just couldn’t stand to see our little girl so upset,” Pop mumbled back, his hangdog frown deepening.
Constance clenched her fists by her sides. “I’m twenty-three years old. I’m a grown woman and perfectly capable of managing my own love life. I have no intention of making things up with Doug, and I’ll thank all of you not to interfere any further. Is that clear?”
“Yes, honey,” said Pop at the same time that Ernie grumbled, “Fine.”
“Why don’t you and I take a walk down to the coffee shop and have a bit of breakfast?” Millie asked, giving her arm a little tug. “You all don’t mind if I steal her away for a little girl time, do you?”
Ernie looked like he was about to protest, but Millie turned a dazzling smile on him. He sighed. “Have fun, you two. And don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”
“Hear that? We have carte blanche to do whatever we want.” Millie winked at her and pulled her toward the door.
As soon as they were outside, all the tension in Constance’s body left her. A cool breeze blew through the budding trees, and sunshine helped wash away the last of her irritation. “Thank you for rescuing me. I love my family, but they can be a bit much sometimes.”
“My pleasure. You know how much I love Ernie, but sometimes his protective tendencies go too far.”
They turned the corner from their tree-lined residential street to a busy thoroughfare lined with shops and restaurants. It was buzzing with pedestrians carrying bags from the market, pushing prams, and strolling along arm in arm. More than one passerby gave Millie a side-eye when they spotted her outfit. Knickerbockers on women were more common than they used to be, but they still drew attention. Millie didn’t seem to mind.
Constance admired her willingness to stand out and forge an unconventional path for herself. If only she had half of Millie’s boldness, she wouldn’t be in this fix in the first place.
“Do you want to talk about it, or do you want to talk about something else entirely to take your mind off things?”
It was kind of Millie to check. Constance was tired of everyone assuming they knew what she wanted. “Thank you for asking. I actually would like to talk about it, if you’re willing to listen. I could use an impartial perspective. But I have to ask…and I know this won’t be easy…can you keep what I say secret, even from Ernie?”
Millie laughed. “I’m an expert secret keeper. Have no fear. I won’t breathe a word of what you tell me to Ernie.”
