Valentine George by Pat Backley

Author:Pat Backley
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pat Backley
Published: 2022-03-15T17:04:12+00:00

BATTERSEA LONDON

1931

Martha had been wrong when she thought it would all come to nothing.

It happened just a few months after that Saturday, the day they had all met Elizabeth and her boys.

Valentine had waited until they were all sitting at the table, eating the Sunday roast she had so lovingly prepared. It was a very special day, because for once she had all her children and grandchildren in one place. Usually someone was missing, they were working overtime, or out visiting their sweethearts, but today was Rose’s birthday and she and Cyril had just announced that they were expecting a baby. They had been trying for a whole year with no success, so this was absolutely wonderful news. Martha managed to scrape together enough money to buy a decent-sized chicken and roasted it with a huge pile of potatoes for their lunch. It was a real treat; usually they could only afford a chicken for Christmas or Easter.

“Actually Mum, I have some news too.”

Everyone stopped talking and looked expectantly at Valentine.

“I’ve asked Elizabeth to marry me.” He waited for some response, but there was just silence.

“Dot and John will have a new mother figure and two stepbrothers- won’t that be grand?”

The room was still silent. Everyone just sat, looking down at the table, avoiding his eyes.

“Isn’t anybody going to congratulate me? I thought you’d all be pleased.”

“If you get married, does that mean I can call Mrs. Silver ‘mum’?”

“Yes it does, Dot. If you’d like.” He was so relieved that at least his precious daughter seemed happy at the news, even if the rest of the family didn’t.

“If you kids have finished eating, why don’t you pop downstairs and see Granny Sarah? I bet she’ll let you play with that train set.” Martha sounded like she was close to tears.

“We’ll call you back up in half an hour or so when the pudding is ready. I’ve made spotted dick and custard.”

Little John leapt out of his seat, delighted to be excused from the boring adult conversation, but Dot was more reluctant to go. This seemed like a very important chat, one she really didn’t want to miss even though she knew she wouldn’t be allowed any input. As children, even smart girls like her were supposed to be seen and not heard. Normally when her Aunty Rose was visiting, she encouraged Dot to speak out, to say what was on her mind, but today was different. Even she could sense that. It sounded like she was going to be getting a new mum, which would be wonderful. Of course, she didn’t really know Mrs. Silver very well, but she seemed like a nice lady. It would be great to be the same as all her friends and have a mum of her very own.

She left the room as instructed, but instead of going down to the basement with her brother, she sat quietly on the staircase, listening to every word.

“Oh son, what are you thinking? You haven’t known the woman for five minutes.

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