WEEKLY SOAP Riverside by Glenda Young

Will Carol end her relationship with Joe?

IT was a calm, warm morning when George made his way to the allotment. He walked along the riverside path with a song in his heart and a spring in his step.

His campaign had put a stop to riverside land being turned into a betting shop by Harry Mason, the local property developer, and George couldn’t have been happier.

Harry had told George in no uncertain terms how furious he was at losing his project.

In fact, Harry’s fury after the council meeting had threatened to explode into violence until Harry’s wife stepped in.

George pushed Harry to the back of his mind. As far as he was concerned the whole thing was over with and he intended to enjoy his day.

As he walked, he whistled a tune that he and Mary used to dance to years ago in the community centre on a Saturday night, and he allowed himself a smile.

The weather was perfect for spending the day at the allotment.

There was a cloudless blue sky and the warmth in the air at such an early hour promised a beautiful day ahead.

George ran through in his mind all he had to do when he reached the allotments.

First he would unlock the gates, as he’d be the first gardener in. Then he’d settle down with his newspaper and coffee.

He might even stop to buy a bacon sandwich as a special treat that day. Yes, George thought, the day was his to celebrate. Then he stopped dead. George stared ahead, trying to make sense of what he could see.

He forced himself to walk, but his legs felt as if they’d turned to stone.

Ahead of him was Ryemouth Heritage Society, where George volunteered one day a week.

It was just an old container that the council had donated, but it acted as a base for talks and guided tours of the riverside site.

George stood openmouthed in shock. The lock on the container had been smashed open and the door stood ajar.

Slowly, George reached his hand to the door and pulled it towards him.

Papers were scattered on the floor; old photographs of the shipyards had been torn from the noticeboard; a chair was upturned.

George took a deep breath, squared his shoulders and pulled his phone from his pocket.

He called Mary to tell her what had happened, then he called the police.

“Do you have any idea who might have done this?” the policeman asked. “Do you have any enemies?”

Harry’s anger after the council meeting flashed through George’s mind. Would he stoop so low?

That afternoon at the Ship, Sam and Claire were enjoying a quiet spell behind the bar.

“Must be the warm weather putting people off the pub.” Sam sighed.

He slid his arm around Claire’s waist.

“We could always lock up early today and have an early night.” There was a twinkle in his eye.

Claire put her head on Sam’s shoulder.

“We’ve been trying for weeks, but nothing’s happened yet, Sam.”

“Did you . . .” Sam began. He cleared his throat before he continued. “Did you have problems getting pregnant with Brady?” Claire shook her head. “I fell pregnant straight away,” she said.

“We’ll keep trying,” he said. “It’s early days.”

That evening at the Old Engine Room deli café, Carol was sitting at her favourite table.

She was in a booth by the window, watching the river flowing by and the birds swooping down to the riverbank.

She was waiting for her boyfriend, Joe, to arrive. It was a meeting she wasn’t looking forward to as she’d decided it was time to call it a day with him.

When she’d tried to break things off over the phone, he had insisted on meeting to talk it through.

When their phone conversation had ended with Joe offering to pay for a plush dinner, Carol couldn’t resist.

“Don’t break his heart,” Carol’s sister, Anna, warned.

“Let him down gently. He’s a nice man who’s done nothing but idolise you.”

With Anna’s words ringing in her ears, Carol braced herself when she saw Joe enter the café.

She smiled sweetly and waved as Joe walked towards her. He slid into the booth and immediately took her hand.

She tried to pull it away gently.

“Listen, Joe,” Carol began. “There’s something I need to tell you.”

“And I’ve got something to tell you,” Joe replied.

He took a deep breath and dipped his hand into his pocket. He brought out a small black velvet box.

He flipped open the lid and inside was the biggest diamond ring Carol had seen in her life.

How could Joe, who worked in a charity shop, afford such a luxurious item?

Did he have hidden depths she didn’t know?

“Carol?” Joe whispered. “Would you marry me?”

Carol stared at the ring for a very long time. Then she lifted her gaze to Joe’s face and opened her mouth to reply . . .

More next week.