Little Miss Rockcakes

Pat is a mean, manipulative old bird. Pat is a fascinating woman.
Both of these statements are true. It just depends on how you approach her.
The woman I know is feisty, articulate and has a great need to be heard.
She has stories to tell.

This was today's story.
============

Bob was born one day later and one mile away from Pat. They were both conscripted into the Army during the war. Bob went off to secret missions here there and Africa, while Pat worked in an office with mostly civillians. Somehow, even in that place and time she was in charge and having "None of that thank you VERY much" although she was Private Pat working alongside Majors and Colonels.

Bob and Pat had been engaged for 4 years. The war was winding down and both were still loyal and true although miles, even continents apart. Then the weekly letters from Bob stopped coming. Pat took it stoically even deciding to drop around to see his parents. Her motive was to show people that she wasn't afraid nor ashamed. The Village Postmistress had also noted the lack of incoming letters and doubled as the radio network.

Pat took the Bus round to where her once-to-be inlaws where. As she went to step off the bus, Bob's father was stepping on.
"Oi Pat what lovely timing you have!"
"Oh?"
"Our Bob is just home now."

Pat stood just a moment deciding what to do.
She went on down the road to Bob's home and knocked loudly.
Bob himself came to the door and swooped her up in his arms.

"Oh Pat I am THAT glad to see you! What a wonderful surprise!"
Stiffening in his hold, she looked him in the eye.
"Is it?"
'Ah my love. It's the mail I expect. We were on (D-day mission) and none of us lads were allowed to send even a postcard off. It was awful not to be able to let you know."

Private Pat melted. A resumed courtship went from all stop to fullspeed ahead.
When Bob saw her to the door that evening, a Wednesday as she recalls, he said:
"Don't be surprised love if there is a wedding invitation in the post by Friday."
Friday? She knew wartime mail and snails were fairly matched for speed.

Friday came and nothing arrived by post.
A lunchtime caller rang.
"Come on Pat. We're getting married."
"Oh? When is this Bob?"
"Tomorrow"

He came and collected her and off again by bus they went to see the Vicar.
They were both in Uniform which prompted a narrowing of eyes.
"You aren't making a rush decision are you?" the Vicar asked suspiciously.
"I have been trying to get this girl to marry me for 4 years! We practically grew up together!"
The Vicar looked over his glassed better to see Pat.

"I can't marry you!"
"Why not?"
"You are Little Miss Rockcakes! Can it have been so long?"

Pat had played the part of the cook's maid in a Church Pageant. The little maid who pulled the rockcakes from the oven. She thought she had been about 3 or 4 years old at the time.
-------

will finish this story later.... the bit about the dog or radio license. et al