Riverside

George and his family await the arrival of his sister . . .

WHAT time’s she coming?” Susan asked her mum. “Two. Is that right, George?” Mary called through to the living-room above the noise of the crying baby.

George had his back to them, his gaze on the riverside from Susan and Dave’s apartment.

Seeing him lost in his thoughts, Mary walked towards him and gently stroked his arm.

“She’ll only be here for a few hours,” she told him. “Don’t let her get to you.” George turned and smiled. “I’m not worried about seeing our Doreen. I can handle my sister. I was thinking about her poor long-suffering husband, Jack. I’m looking forward to seeing him again.” Mary nodded.

“It’s been too long since we saw him last.”

George pointed to a bend in the river.

“See there?” he said. “That’s where I met Jack. Both of us started work on the same day at the shipyards. I remember the first day we worked there. The older fellas used to wind us up something rotten. They sent us both out on many a fool’s errand before we wised up to their ways.

“We were wet behind the ears, didn’t have a clue what they were asking us to do.”

“You mean things like asking the foreman for a tin of tartan paint?” Mary smiled.

“You name it, they asked us to get it. We fell for it every time. Then, when the years passed and people like me and Jack became the older lads, we did the same thing to the young ones coming in to work with us.”

Mary checked her watch. “It’s almost two,” she said. “I hope they know where to find the flats. They haven’t been here before.”

Susan walked towards her mum and dad with the crying baby in her arms.

“I hope this one quietens down. She’s been crying all morning. If she doesn’t stop before Doreen arrives . . .

“Well, I don’t want to give her any excuse to complain about anything.”

“She’ll find something,” George said. “She’ll not be happy unless she does.”

Dave walked into the living-room.

“They’re here,” he announced. “I’ve just seen their car pull up outside the Old Engine Room.”

He glanced from Mary to George.

“I’ve heard about Doreen, and whatever happens, I just want you to know that you’ve got my full support.”

Outside the apartment door the sounds of a scuffle could be heard.

“Jack!” a shrill voice yelled. “Would you stop whistling through your teeth? It puts my nerves right on edge!”

“Brace yourself, everyone,” George warned. “Doreen has arrived.”

Mary opened the door to her sister-in-law, who swept straight into the apartment. Mary flung her arms around Jack and gave him a firm hug.

“Jack,” George said, extending his hand.

Jack took George’s hand, giving him a firm handshake before pulling his brotherin-law to him for a hug.

“Is that baby wrapped up properly?” Doreen nodded at Susan. “And does she have to cry so loudly?”

Susan glanced at her mum.

“She is wrapped up properly, Aunt Doreen. Would you like to hold her?” Doreen sniffed.

“I’ll wait until I’ve been offered a cup of tea first. We’ve had a long drive and it’s fair knocked the wind out of my sails.”

Jack leaned in towards George.

“She’s not stopped moaning for the last ninety miles,” he whispered. “If I wasn’t going too fast, I was on the wrong road. I couldn’t do anything right.”

“I can well believe it,” George whispered back.

“Come and sit down, Aunt Doreen,” Susan suggested. “Come and see the baby.”

“I’ve got one of Dad’s cakes,” Dave announced to Doreen and Jack. “He made it for us when I told him you were coming.”

“Well, I just hope it’s not a fruitcake,” Doreen said. “I don’t eat fruitcake, do I, Jack?”

“No, dear.” Jack sighed. “Well, it’s not fruitcake,” Dave replied, quickly putting away the fruitcake that Mike had prepared earlier, and taking a cheesecake from the fridge instead.

“Cheesecake all right for you, Doreen?” Dave asked.

“Is it a baked cheesecake?” she demanded. “Because unbaked plays havoc with my system, as Jack knows only too well, don’t you?”

“Yes, dear.” Jack sighed again.

“Doreen, what do you think of the apartment?” Mary asked, changing the subject. “Susan and Dave have done all right, don’t you think?”

Doreen sniffed again. “Bit high up for my liking.” Then she turned and took a good look at little Sarah. The baby continued to bawl away out of the blanket she was wrapped in.

“You sure she’s warm enough?” she demanded.

Susan and Mary exchanged a look.

“I’m sure,” Susan replied. “Would you like to hold her?” Mary asked, then without waiting for an answer, Susan cradled the crying baby in her arms and positioned Sarah so that it was impossible for Doreen to refuse to hold her great-niece.

As soon as Sarah was in Doreen’s arms, her crying stopped and a smile appeared on her face.