It was about 12.15 p.m. when they returned to the house, much to Margaret Hill’s surprise. “We thought you might want these things before lunch, Mum,” said Andy.
Margaret smiled her appreciation. “That’s thoughtful of you, son,” she said.
“Can I help you with lunch preparations?” Alice asked.
“Yes, that would be nice,” replied Margaret and both thinking it would be a good way to get to know each other better. “Andy, would you slip down to the grocer’s and get me half-a-pound of sliced ham? I don’t think I’ll have enough for lunch,” Margaret asked. Andy agreed and headed out of the house. “That’s good,” thought Margaret, “now Alice and I can chat freely.” After getting the ham and delivering it to the house, Andy went down to pick his father up from the office. He went in to the reception area and saw his father’s office door open. No other staff were in. “Come in, Andy, and have a seat while I finish up,” his father called out. Andy went in and sat down. “Nice girl you’ve got there,” his father said. “Do you think it’ll get serious?”
Andy replied, “I haven’t known her long, Dad, but I think it could do. She’s different to others I’ve been out with.”
“H’mm. Is she, now? Well, don’t try anything with her, is my advice. She’ll respect you all the more for that. Besides, I‘d like to keep our friendship with the Waltons,” Tony Hill commented.
“I hear you, Dad. I got much the same thing from Mr Walton,” Andy replied.
“Good thing. You take note,” was his father’s response. They chatted on and Andy was pleased at how relaxed his father was. They hadn’t always found it easy to communicate. Perhaps his father was mellowing, he thought.
After lunch, Margaret Hill asked Andy what time he had to leave in the morning.
“About 10.30 a m., Mum. I’ll have to change at Alnmouth but that connects with a slow train to Newcastle and I can then catch a train that stops at Doncaster. You know what it’s like on a Sunday,” Andy replied.
“Could Alice travel with you in the morning instead of going home tonight?” his mother asked.
Andy looked surprised and hesitantly said, “Yes, I suppose so.” He looked askance at Alice. She smiled and said she would like that.
“Good,” said Margaret, “we can ‘phone your parents and see if they agree.”
Andy thought, “The two mothers appear to have already decided our fate. I hope it works out if they have,” but he just smiled. Margaret telephoned the Waltons and Judith Walton answered. A discussion between the two women followed and then Margaret held the telephone out to Alice. Her mother asked how she was enjoying the weekend and then asked about changes of clothing. She would let Alice know the train time to Corbridge when they met this evening.
Alice hung up the telephone and turned to face the others with a big smile on her face. “Thank you, Mrs Hill,” she exclaimed. “That’s so good of you.”
Margaret smiled back, “My pleasure,” she said.
“Could I hand wash some clothes, please?” asked Alice.
Tony Hill spoke up, “Come on, Andy, let’s leave the girls to it,” and he got up and headed for the door. Andy followed his father out. As they got outside the house, Tony Hill said, “Don’t worry, son, you are now learning how things tend to be arranged. It’s not worth fighting and it’s better to just go along with it. I’m a great believer in things working out.”
Andy was surprised to hear his father talking like that; it was a new experience for him. “What brought this on, Dad?” he asked.
“This is the first time that your mother has taken to a lady-friend of yours,” his father replied with a smile. “Let’s take a walk,” he said as he headed for the garden gate.
In Corbridge, John and Judith Walton were getting ready to drive up to Morpeth. John planned to drive up through Stamfordham to Belsay and then across to Morpeth. It would be a more pleasant drive than going through Newcastle and up the A1. “What time do you think Anne will be back, John?” his wife asked.
“Well, they’ve gone to the Coast and I think they plan to go dancing at the Spanish City so it could be midnight. We’ll be home by then, if that’s what you are worrying about,” replied her husband.
“That’s okay then,” said Judith. “Margaret Hill certainly seems to have taken a shine to Alice. I’m so pleased.”
John gave her a warning look and said, “Don’t push this romance along too fast. Alice and Andy haven’t known each other that long. Let them take their time.”
Judith coyly replied, “I don’t recall you taking your time.”
“I’d better just go and check the car before we leave,” was the reply. Judith smiled to herself, knowing he had already checked the car earlier. They departed about 4.30 p.m., allowing them to have a relaxed drive. John was in a dark business suit and Judith wore a cocktail dress with a wrap. They felt that they should dress for the occasion.
Back in Alnwick, the Hills and Alice were still getting ready. They too were dressing up. Andy thought it fortunate that he had left suits and other clothes at home when he went overseas. They were available now when he needed them. They left about half an hour after the Waltons,
