Angie and Ruth

"That was lovely Abby, just wonderful. You'll make some lad very happy one day" Angie walked through to the kitchen with the dirty plates and cutlery from the roast beef and Yorkshire pudding dinner I had prepared, Ruthie following closely behind with Jim's china cup. "Now Abby, I'll be gone for quite a while, you will keep an eye on the old bugger won't you..... What am I saying of course you will!"

Angie is Jim's lady friend although I have a feeling they will get married sooner than later but presently she visits from Liverpool. Jim's first wife passed away a good few years back so it was nice he had someone in his life.

"I live just a few feet from the back door, I have breakfast with him daily, I will keep an eye on him, of course!" Angie patted my arm, she was pre-occupied with her impending travels, her cab would take her to the airport at five.a.m. in the morning.

Abigail!!!" Jim called me through, I rinsed my hands off, and dried them on the tea towel flung over my shoulder and went to see Jim "There you are. Now Angie is off on her holiday and both the lads are away so that leaves you and me. Up to it!?"

"Of course, plenty to do. Cards, piano, you can help me with my school work!" I laughed and he motioned me over, closer to him.

I hadn't noticed before but Jim was more sallow and pale and he definitely looked more gaunt than usual. I shook my head, time to listen not pry into his health, I can do that tomorrow at our breakfast chat!

"Look here luv, see this" Jim motioned his hand over a piece of paper, written messily in red biro but legible enough. "Right. Now.... all the phone numbers listed here are for that son of mine, he's a knife salesman and is going to the United States of America for the first time." Jim wiped his face with his handkerchief, it was getting late, he was feeling tired but he radiated proudness for his son.

"He has left every hotel and room number for me, in case something happens, alright. Now then, Angie and Ruth are uncontactable, they are staying in an old farmhouse with no phone. Ange will call here every Sunday, right Angie!" Angie nodded in agreement as she repacked her luggage for the second time that evening, she was nervous.

"Excuse me Abby" Ruth wandered over with her favourite doll, Jemima. I sank to my knees Ruth was six and cute as a shiny button, I liked to be on her level to speak. She was lovely, dark curly hair with bright emerald eyes "Could you sew Jemima's dress up please"

I looked at Jim and he nodded, now finished with our conversation, he sat watching Ang fussing over the luggage.

"Of course, sweetie lets go in the kitchen it's much better lighting for dress repairs in there" I took the little girls hand and that was my evening; sewing the tiny dress for Ruth's doll and promising to sew a new dress, as she had only the one.

Finishing the stack of dishes, plates, pots, pans and cups, I fell into bed to sleep and hopefully dream of bluebells and spring days.