WEEKLY SOAP Riverside by Glenda Young
Will George’s campaign save the riverside?
IN Anna and Carol’s hair and beauty salon, Anna eyed her sister suspiciously. “What are you up to this time?” she asked. Carol stayed silent so Anna ploughed on.
“Come on, Carol. I know you’re up to something.”
“It’s Mike, if you must know,” Carol replied. “I’m thinking of inviting him out on a date.”
Anna sank into the chair next to Carol.
“Mike? When you went out with him last time you said he was too old for you and too stuck in his ways.” Carol shrugged. “Well, a girl can change her mind, can’t she?” Anna glared at her sister. “You mean you changed your mind the minute you found out Mike was worth a bob or two.
“You should be ashamed of yourself.”
“What am I supposed to do?” Carol retorted. “Stay in every night and wait for Mr Right to find me?”
“What about Joe?” Anna asked. “Aren’t you dating?” Carol shook her head. “Joe’s too safe. I need excitement in my life. I need passion and romance, wild nights and –”
“And Mike Brennan’s going to give you all of that? You’re playing with fire, Carol,” Anna warned. “You shouldn’t be stringing Joe along.”
Carol was about to reply when the telephone rang. “I’ll get it,” Anna said. She walked across to the reception desk.
“Good morning, Anna and Carol’s salon. Hello, Joe. You after Carol?”
Carol swung around to face Anna. She shook her head furiously but Anna wouldn’t be put off.
“Yes, she’s here, Joe. Just a moment.”
Anna held out the phone. “It’s Joe. He says it’s important.”
George and Mary were preparing to head into town to attend an important meeting.
“Mary, this tie doesn’t feel right,” George complained.
“Let’s have a look.” “I’m feeling a bit jittery about this planning meeting,” George admitted.
“It’s understandable,” Mary replied. “You’ve spent weeks protesting to save the riverside.
“And today land-grabbing Harry Mason’s planning proposal will be discussed by Ryemouth council.”
Mary ran her hand down George’s blue blazer.
“You look smart in this,” she said.
“I wanted to give the best impression. I thought my good jacket might help.” Mary pecked his cheek. “You’ll knock their socks off with the petition and all the signatures you collected,” she said.
“You know Harry will be at the meeting, too?” George said.
“I’d be surprised if he wasn’t,” Mary said. “If the council approve his development he’s set to make a pretty penny.”
“And if they don’t approve it, he’s going to want someone to blame,” George reminded her.
“You’re not frightened of Hary Mason, surely?” George gulped.
The meeting at the council stretched on for an hour before the riverside planning application arose.
George nudged Mary and sat up straight in his chair. “We’re on next!” “Save the riverside!” a woman yelled.
George swung around to see who it was.
“It’s Harry’s wife, Angela,” he whispered to Mary.
“I don’t know how those two have stayed married,” Mary whispered. “She’s always opposing his plans.”
George reached for Mary’s hand as the councillors read through the details of Harry Mason’s application.
When opposition to the plans was mentioned, Mary squeezed George’s hand.
A hush fell over the chamber as the leader of the council requested a show of hands.
“All those in favour of the riverside development, please raise your hands.”
Twelve hands went up in the air.
“And all those against?” Thirteen hands shot up. George gasped. “We’ve won!” he cried. “You did it, love!” Mary exclaimed. “You did it!”
George threw his arms around Mary.
“We saved the riverside!” Angela Mason put in, then she walked towards George with a smile on her face.
The leader of the council thanked his colleagues for attending, then everyone started to pack up.
“Well done, George,” Angela said.
George felt a pat on his back as more people congratulated him.
“You’ve saved our heritage, George,” they said. “We couldn’t have done it without you.”
George felt tears prick his eyes and thought his heart would burst with pride.
But just then he saw a figure walking towards him.
George stuck out his hand in polite greeting.
“Harry,” he said. “No hard feelings, eh?”
Harry glanced at George’s hand.
“Do you really think I’d shake hands with you after what’s just happened?” Harry growled.
“You have cost me a small fortune.”
George dropped his hand to his side and took a step towards Harry. “George,” Mary warned. “Harry,” Angela warned. Both men glared at each other, neither wanting to show weakness.
More next week.