A Gift from Woolworths by Elaine Everest

Author:Elaine Everest
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pan Macmillan

11

George banged on the top of Maureen’s kitchen table with a glass pint pot. ‘If I may have your attention, please,’ he called above the hubbub of neighbours, family and friends chatting nineteen to the dozen. ‘I’d like you all to raise your glasses and toast Alan as he returns to the bosom of his family. Without lads like my son-in-law, Adolf Hitler would be marching through London right now and our grandchildren would be speaking German. The war’s not over yet, but God knows the tide well and truly turned. Let’s look to the future and raise our glasses to peace and happy times.’

‘To Alan, and peace,’ they all cheered.

‘Thank you,’ Alan said, raising his glass. ‘I never expected such a homecoming. I thought I’d come home and simply get on with life with my wife and children, work towards having our own home and face whatever the future threw at us. All the same, I thank you all. Cheers,’ he added.

‘I can’t believe you are home for good. I swear I’m going to pinch myself and wake up and it will all have been a dream and you will be off somewhere putting yourself in danger,’ Sarah said as they strolled hand in hand into the small back garden of Maureen’s house.

Alan pulled his wife into the small shed where his beloved motorbike was stored and closed the door behind them. ‘I thought we’d never be alone,’ he whispered before they clung together in a heated embrace.

‘Alan, Alan,’ Maureen called from the garden. ‘Where are the pair of you? We have a surprise.’

Alan pushed open the door of the shed as Sarah straightened her hair and her clothes. ‘Hello, Mum, I was checking out Bessie. It won’t be long before I can take her out for a spin now I’m home.’

Maureen raised her eyebrows. ‘That’s as may be, but there are people here wanting to speak to you and wish you well. You can look at motorbikes another time,’ she said pointedly. ‘But before you go inside, George has got something for you both.’

‘Dad?’ Sarah said as she spotted her father nearby trying to light his pipe. ‘What’s going on?’

George reached into his pocket and pulled out an envelope, passing it to Sarah. ‘We both thought you’d like to have a few days away before you go back to work and get on with your life together. It’s not much, but . . .’

‘Dad, this is wonderful. Look, Alan, it’s Whitstable, where we spent our honeymoon. This is so generous of you, thank you,’ she said, flinging her arms round her dad.

‘It’s only a couple of days, what with your nan’s wedding coming up fast. Maureen chipped in as well. She’s going to look after the children so you can have a bit of time alone.’

‘This is very good of you, sir,’ Alan said, shaking George’s hand and kissing Maureen. ‘I don’t suppose . . .’ He started looking towards the shed where his motorbike stood covered by a tarpaulin.

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