“Let’s keep a good impression,” Andy replied.
Going into the house, Alice stuck her head round the lounge door and said, “We’re going to use the ‘phone. Andy needs to telephone his parents about this weekend.”
She led Andy to the telephone stand in the hall. Andy dialled the operator, gave the number in Alnwick and was quickly connected to his parents’ home. His father answered, “Hill here!”
“Hi, Dad, it’s Andy. I’ve got a weekend up here unexpectedly. Okay if I come up on Saturday to see you both?”
Andy’s father said, “Yes, but we expect to be out for dinner in the evening with the Waltons, the parents of that young lady you met.” Andy suggested he come up in the morning and then asked if he could bring Alice Walton with him. His father hurrumphed and said, “Better talk to your mother,” and called for his wife. “It’s Andy on the ‘phone and wants to come up on Saturday and bring a girl with him.”
Andy’s mother raised her eyebrows at his father and took the telephone. “This is a surprise, dear. We didn’t expect to see you until you could get leave. Who is this young lady you want to bring? She must be important.”
“It’s Alice Walton, John Walton’s daughter.”
His mother gave a long, drawn out, “O-o-h!” and said, “That’s all right, then. When will you come up?”
Andy said, “We’d like to come up in the morning, if that’s okay. We can leave before you go out to dinner.” Alice gave an exclamation of delight.
Intuitively, Andy’s mother asked, “Where are you telephoning from, dear?”
“I’m at the Waltons’, with Alice beside me,” he replied.
Back came the question, “Is Mrs Walton in? If so, can I speak to her?” Andy replied that he would get her. While he went to the sitting room, Alice took the ‘phone and introduced herself to his mother. Andy knocked on the sitting room door and entered the room, explaining that his mother wanted to speak to Alice’s mother.
Judith Walton replied, “I’ll take it on the lounge extension. You can hang up when you hear me speak.” Judith walked over and picked up the telephone and spoke. “Judith Walton here, Margaret. How are you?” Andy went out of the room and signalled for Alice to hang up and she put the receiver down. They went into the kitchen as it seemed the mothers wanted to talk privately. Alice was excited and wanted to know how early they could go up.
“I was thinking of hiring a car,” said Andy. “That would give us freedom of travel and flexibility of time.” Alice thought it a good idea. She wanted to know where his home was in Alnwick, having been to the town before.
A call from the sitting room door stopped the conversation. “Alice, Andy! Can you come down to the lounge?” They hurried into the lounge.
When they went into the sitting room, John Walton motioned to them to sit down. “On Saturday we’ll be having dinner with your parents, Andy. That will be in Morpeth. Would you two like to join us?” Andy and Alice looked at each other. They had thought they would be having a meal on their own.
Andy thought it better to be honest and said, “We had planned to have the evening together before I brought Alice home.”
Judith Walton responded, “Your mother would have liked you to spend the weekend with them, if you could, and suggested that Alice could stay the weekend if we agreed. However, it would be nice if both parents had the chance to share time with you both as well.” Alice had mixed feelings. She wanted to meet Andy’s parents but she also wanted time alone with Andy. Alice guessed that the mothers were being protective of her. Judith picked up on her daughter’s thoughts and said, “Come to dinner with us on Saturday evening. You could go off by yourselves for a while after we’ve eaten because we’ll want to sit and reminisce over drinks.”
Alice responded with, “That sounds a good idea, Mummy. We’ll come to the dinner.” John and Andy glanced at each other as if to say, “They’ve made all the decisions without us.” Alice continued, “Andy is thinking of hiring a car for the weekend. Who would you recommend, Dad?” John replied that he would think about it and let Andy know.
“Thanks, Mr Walton. That would be great,” said Andy. He continued, “Would you mind if Alice and I go down to the ‘local’ for a drink? It will be another hour before the others are back.”
John nodded his approval. “Sure, Andy.” The young couple got up and Andy thanked them very much as he and Alice left the room. When they had gone, John said to his wife, “I don’t think you will need to worry about that young man and our daughter. He’s pretty level-headed and also he’ll respect her.”
Judith sighed and said, “I guess you are right. They’ve grown up too quickly.” Out in the hall, Alice put a coat on against the cool night air and she and Andy left the house.
Walking down the drive, Alice was excited at the thought of having a weekend away with Andy, even if it was to visit his parents. He wasn’t so sure. He felt that he had been swept along by the turn of events and not really in control of what was happening. He was beginning to feel sure of his feelings for Alice. In some ways the speed of it happening made him feel a little alarmed but in other
