‘Don’t look so nervous,’ Eddie said as he drove Lucy to meet his parents on Sunday.
‘You’ve hardly mentioned them. What are they like?’ Lucy asked.
‘My dad’s a bit of a joker and my mum sometimes pretends to be posh, but she can’t keep it up.’
‘Have you told them about me – about Clive?’
‘Yeah, and they’re looking forward to meeting you both.’
‘I’m still nervous,’ Lucy said worriedly.
‘Don’t be, they’ll love you,’ Eddie assured. He’d rung to say they were coming, but they didn’t yet know that he and Lucy were now engaged. The summer season was well over and Brighton was a bit bleak on this cold October day. His parents lived near Black Rock and he took a left turn into their street. ‘Right, here we are. Come on, Clive, hop out.’
It was his dad who opened the door, smiling a welcome. ‘Hello, sonny boy.’
‘Dad, this is Lucy and her son, Clive.’
‘Hello there, come on in,’ he welcomed.
‘It’s nice to meet you, Mr White,’ Lucy said shyly.
‘George, call me George.’
When they walked into the living room, Eddie saw that his mother was dressed up to the nines, her dyed blonde hair pinned up on top of her head.
‘Mum, this is Lucy, and her son, Clive.’
‘How nice to meet you,’ she said formally.
Eddie had to smile at his mum putting on the airs and graces. She was always the same, but now he knocked the wind from her sails.
‘Mum, Dad, Lucy and me, we’re getting married.’
‘Well, stone the crows,’ his mother blurted out, all traces of her posh accent instantly gone.
‘Now, fancy dropping a bombshell like that without warning,’ George said. ‘Still, congratulations to the pair of you. I reckon this calls for a toast, Peggy.’
‘Yeah, it does, and what about you, love?’ she asked Clive. ‘Do you fancy a glass of lemonade?’
‘Yes, please,’ he said.
Eddie followed his mother into the kitchen where she said, ‘Are you sure about this, Eddie? You’re taking on another man’s kid.’
‘I’m sure, Mum. I love Lucy and Clive is part of the package. Not that I mind. He’s a smashing lad.’
‘When are you getting married?’
‘Early next year,’ he told her as they returned to the living room.
‘Now then,’ George said as he handed out small glasses. ‘There’s only a bottle of your mum’s sherry but as you sprung this on us without warning, it’ll have to do. Here’s to the pair of you.’
Lucy began to relax when Peggy started to chat to her about the wedding, and finding a pack of cards, George played snap with Clive. It was a nice visit, and at four o’clock they left to drive back to London.
‘Your mum’s nice,’ Lucy said. ‘Your dad too.’
‘They took to you and you’re part of the family now.’
Lucy smiled happily and Eddie was content.
They had been to see Pearl earlier, and now Emily was going to drive back to Winchester. She came into the room, suitcase in hand, and he said, ‘You’re off then.’
‘Yes,’ she said, ‘but I’ll drive down again on Friday evening and stay for the weekend.’
‘Did you hear that, John? We may have to put up with your gran again, but at least we’ll still get our Sunday roast.’
‘Very funny,’ Emily said, ‘but seriously, will you be able to cope with Nora?’
‘Lucy’s here for most of the day during the week, and that only leaves weekends when you’ll be here again. We’ll be fine, won’t we, John?’
‘Yes, I suppose so.’
‘Right, then,’ Emily said. ‘I’ll go and find Nora to say goodbye.’
‘No doubt she’ll be cleaning something somewhere.’
‘I know, Derek. She’s really is a treasure, isn’t she?’
‘I must admit I wasn’t keen on taking her on, but I don’t feel like that now. She’s always going to be like a child, if a rather large one, but I’ve grown fond of her.’
‘It’s hard not to,’ Emily said, then went to find Nora.
Derek sighed. ‘Well, John, it’s back to school for you in the morning.’
‘I know.’
‘Don’t look so downhearted. I know your gran’s leaving, but things are on the up now. Your mum’s going to be fine and with any luck she’ll be home soon.’
It wasn’t long before Emily returned. ‘I’ve said goodbye to Nora so would one of you carry that case to my car?’
‘I’ll do it,’ John offered.
Derek walked across to enfold Emily in his arms. ‘Bye, Emily, and all joking aside, I’m going to miss you.’
As he let her go, Emily patted his cheek. ‘It’ll be Friday before you know it. Now come on, John,’ she said brusquely, ‘pick up that case and let’s go.’
Derek wasn’t fooled. He could tell that Emily was feeling a little emotional, so for her benefit he planted a smile on his face. ‘See you soon,’ he called and she managed a smile in return before leaving the room.
When John came back he too looked a bit upset, but Derek decided to snap him out of it by suggesting they go for a drive.
‘I’ll get my camera,’ he said, perking up at the thought.
‘While you do that, I’ll chivy Nora into getting her coat on.’
They were soon on their way, and Derek decided to head for Epsom Downs. It wasn’t too far to drive, and the area might interest John.
When they arrived on the Downs it was windy and cold, but it didn’t seem to bother John as he snapped away. Nora romped around like a big kid, doing the occasional front tumble, and Derek had to smile at her antics.
He was glad he’d suggested this drive. It had lifted all their moods, and when they went to see Pearl again later, it would be with smiling faces. She was right – after all they’d been through, what his gran had done, though rotten, wouldn’t ruin their lives. The gossip would soon die down and they would be able to get on with their lives.
Derek looked up at the sky, hoping that nothing else would go wrong – that nothing else would stand in the way of a brighter future.