Tale of Two Brothers

By P Kutowaroo

This is a true story about two non-identical twin brothers who were adopted soon as they were born due to unfortunate circumstances. They were taken up by two different families who happened to be in the vicinity of about ten miles from each other - none of the two families knew each other.

Everything was running smoothly until circumstances led one of the boys to search for his biological parents and his other brother.

How successful was he?

Was it like looking for a pin in a haystack in the wide world?

It was many years, according to the foster parents, since he had been adopted - there had been a lot of tear jerking moments.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Troubador Publishing Ltd
• Release date: Apr 28, 2023
• ISBN: 9781805145622

Book preview

Contents

Preface

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Five

Chapter Twenty-Six

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Chapter Thirty

Chapter Thirty-One

Chapter Thirty-Two

Chapter Thirty-Three

Chapter Thirty-Four

Chapter Thirty-Five

Chapter Thirty-Six

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Chapter Forty

Chapter Forty-One

Chapter Forty-Two

Chapter Forty-Three

Chapter Forty-Four

Chapter Forty-Five

Chapter Forty-Six

Chapter Forty-Seven

Epilogue

Also by the Author

Preface

It is known for fact that there are some people who have children and others who wish that they did not have any because of their mischievous behaviour when they grow older. Others, who cannot have children, wish that they had at least one child who they can call their own and who can look after them when they get older. When they can’t have children, due to circumstances, like husbands having problems such as low count of sperm, they try to have artificial insemination. Failing to do this they even go for adoption so that they can have someone they can call their own and to look after them when they grow older.

This is a true story about non-identical twin brothers who were adopted as soon as they were born, due to unfortunate circumstances. They were taken up by two different families who happened to be in the vicinity, about ten miles from each other. Everything was running smoothly until circumstances led one of the boys to search for his biological parents and his other brother. How successful was he? Was it like looking for a needle in a haystack in the wide world? It had been many years according to the adoptive parents since he had been adopted.

It may not be relevant here, but I might add that there are two types of people: those who enjoy the company of children and those who don’t.

Chapter One

How come you are home early today? You are usually home at six o’clock. Are you alright?

I had to come home, Eileen. I don’t know, but I have not been feeling well since after I had my lunch. My manager told me to take it easy and go home as soon as I could. Knowing that you don’t finish work until about four o’clock, I’m coming in now.

Perhaps it was food poisoning. Eileen suggested.

No… I wasn’t sick as such, but I was just feeling a bit lethargic.

Ah well, so long as you are here safe and sound, that’s what matters.

I know… where are the children?

They are in the back garden. I was just thinking that probably because it’s hot and stuffy it made you feel unwell. Jack, if you were not feeling well why didn’t you phone me and come home when they told you to? What would you have done if you had collapsed or something?

As you said, it could have been the heat. If I had collapsed, they would have called for an ambulance. I’ll go upstairs and have a rest for an hour or so.

Do you want me to put the fan on so that you can relax better?

No, it’s okay, darling. I’ll come down in an hour.

Alright then, I won’t let the children come upstairs to disturb you.

You go and have your tea with the children. I’ll have something to eat when I come down.

Jack had always been well, healthy and active. But it so happened that only recently something seemed to have been going wrong with him. Eventually, he started to complain that he was feeling dizzy at times and was hot and sweaty, but he still didn’t seem to take much notice of it. His wife was always telling him to go and see a doctor so that he could be treated for anything before his health became worse. He probably thought he was fit and had some pride and never got round to seeing a doctor.

Eileen, Jack’s wife, had her tea with the children and then waited for an hour or so but Jack hadn’t come down for his tea. Thinking that he might have fallen asleep, she waited for another half an hour and went upstairs to see if he was alright. There she saw him sprawled on the bed and he wouldn’t respond to her calls. He appeared dead, because his eyes were slightly open and so was his mouth, as if he was gasping for breath. She called out if he was alright, but she didn’t get a response. She told her son Robert to go downstairs and phone for an ambulance because his dad was not looking well. Eileen could not stop crying and nor could Miranda, her daughter, who was clinging to her mum. Robert did as he was asked, an ambulance arrived within thirty minutes and they took Jack away. Eileen and Miranda went along, leaving Robert behind. Upon arrival at King’s College Hospital, Jack was dead. She told the doctor what had happened, and the doctor certified the death as a heart attack. In fact, the doctor wanted to do a post-mortem to see what had led Jack to this sudden death, but Eileen didn’t consent, stating that she would like him to remain as he was instead of being cut open – she would like to remember him as she had known him. Eventually, Jack was cremated at the end of the third week. The neighbours, as well as his work colleagues, were informed, and quite a few people came to the funeral.

The house where Jack lived had been bought by his father, Joseph, or Joe, who had come from a poor family. He had moved and bought this house after he was made redundant from his coal-mining job in the north. By moving down to London, he had left his friends and relatives behind and didn’t have much chance to go and visit them or to contact them because of the distance and non-availability of a phone, although he had one installed eventually. Joe had worked as a road sweeper in London and hadn’t had the chance to do much in terms of the renovation of the house. He got married to a lady named Sylvia, who was working at a cafe when they met. Jack was the only child born to them.

The house where Jack and Eileen lived was a four bed-roomed terraced house which also had a toilet and en-suite bathroom together with a shower on the first floor. The kitchen, a lounge and a utility room were downstairs. There was a small garden in the front which was boarded off with bricks. There was no space to park a car. So, if Joe was to have a car, he would have had to park it on the road in front of his house. At the back there was a garden which was also boarded with a wooden fence. There was a shed in the left-hand corner. At the bottom of the garden, he planted vegetables and gardening became a great hobby for the whole family.

Despite his poverty Joe managed to send Jack to school. Jack was good and was able to study hard and pass GCE ‘A’ levels. He then secured himself a job with a travel agency (Spacers) based at City Road, not too far from where he lived, and not too far from the tube station. It was a nine-to-five job working from Monday to Friday and he was employed as an accounts clerk. He used to go to work by bus. Whenever he was off work, he stayed at home, because he was too tired to go anywhere else apart from spending a bit of times in the garden. On occasion, he used to meet a couple of friends at the pub found at the top corner of the Crescent and Ridley Road and which was visited mostly by West Indian people.

Robert’s dad, Jack, was about six feet tall, of medium build with dark hair, a round face and blue eyes. He was born and lived in the house all his life. He did not have any contact with anyone outside his immediate circle. His mum, Eileen, was about five foot seven inches tall and about six years younger than Jack. She had corn-coloured hair, thick, with a light curl to it and a slim face with blue eyes. Eileen met Jack while he was shopping, when they were still in their late teens, and she was an apprentice. Eileen later worked in the superstore just by the main Kingsland Road, doing an eight-to-four job. Joe married them off and Jack ended up with having a son who he named Robert and a daughter who he named Miranda. Joe and his wife died when Robert’s dad, Jack, was in his late thirties.

Byron was a Londoner and was born and bred in the suburb of Dalston, which is in the London borough of Hackney. He was of medium build, just over six feet five tall, had a round face and blue eyes like his dad. He had attended the Colvestone Crescent Primary School, which was only about fifteen minutes’ walking distance from where he lived.

Sometimes Robert used to go to see his mum and she used to take a moment to show Robert this restaurant-cum-pub where they used to make jellied eels. The eels were live in a tank and the diners used to choose which eel they would like for their meals. The eel was caught in front of them, cooked and jellied there and then.

Robert had a sister, Miranda, who was four years younger than him, and had features like her mum, but she was still short for her age and hoped that she would be as tall as their mum later. She had just started going to school when Robert was in his fourth year. They used to get on well and helped in the garden when they had the chance and at other times went for a stroll in a nearby park which was about a mile to the north from where they lived.

Eileen was very domesticated and made sure that everyone had a proper breakfast before the children went to school and Jack and she went to work. In fact, Jack and Eileen set out to work together after ensuring that their children had gone to school on time. When she came back from work, she prepared tea and later dinner. When Jack was home, he was quite helpful. He used to help her with the cooking as well as washing and drying up the dishes and also doing some DIY jobs after checking that everything in the garden was alright. Everything ran smoothly. Jack was working and so was Eileen. Robert was doing well in Year 3 at the secondary school and Miranda was alright in Year 5 still at the primary school.

The death of Jack jeopardised the life of the Byron family. Unfortunately, Eileen had to continue with her work after having taken compassionate leave for a couple of weeks. She was reluctant to go back to work, but she decided to go because she felt that she would be very depressed and that she would cheer herself up when she was amongst her colleagues. She was feeling weak and was not taking proper meals. When one of her colleagues saw her in that state, she had a word with Eileen.

I know that you are feeling awful after losing your husband, Eileen. Look around and see how many women have lost their husbands. Take courage and learn to live because we have only this life and we don’t want to make ourselves sick. These are pangs of life, Eileen. So, please try to bear it with a smile. You have a son and a daughter to look after. Please, Eileen, bear life with a smile.

Eileen took some notice of this advice, although she was not a hundred per cent fit inwardly. She continued to live for the sake of her children.

Robert, on the other hand, could not continue with his studies and, therefore, upon the request of his mum and his own understanding, had to find a job at a local fruit and vegetable market. He was able to find a job which entailed helping a merchant, David, at a stall by the top corner of the Crescent and Ridley Road. Daniel had taken Robert because he wanted a youngster to work with him. He found Robert to be reliable. David was a medium-built guy in his early thirties. He was also a bit on the muscular side. He was married and had a wife and two children. He found Robert to be very helpful, and through him, Robert got on well with his job.

Robert was now concerned about his sister. One day he said to his mum, I think it will be daft for my sister to be doing a lowly job like me. I swear to God that I’ll work hard and see that my sister does something better in her life.

Robert, his mum replied, I think with my help, you’ll be able to look after us. I hope God will help us as well.

The neighbours were quite good to the family. They wouldn’t meddle in Robert and his relatives’ lives although they were sympathetic towards them. They were quite helpful whenever it was necessary. For example, when no one was at home during the week – everyone was at home during the weekend – they would keep an eye on the house and help out if there were any visitors. At other times, they would pop in for a chat and to cheer the family up.

Perhaps because of his upbringing, Robert tried to be cheerful and friendly and always talked to people. He wouldn’t let the death of his father get him down. People used to advise him to think positively and look on the bright side. For this reason, he was rather successful with his work and attracted the most clients. He was a guy who wouldn’t take alcoholic drinks because he said that, if need be, he could socialise with a soft drink and also because he had seen people drinking up to their eyeballs and making fools of themselves.

When Robert was at work, he used to see this girl who always appeared to be willing to talk to him when she came to buy vegetables at the market, with this lady whom he presumed was her mother. There was something about the girl that Robert liked. She wore a long flowery dress and flat shoes. She had a beautiful dark fringe with shoulder-length hair which Robert admired. She was slim, had blue eyes and was tall and yet she might have been a few inches shorter than Robert. She was about eighteen – about the same age as Robert. The lady accompanying her was shorter and must have been in her early forties, she also had blue eyes and didn’t have a fringe but had a shoulder-length hair style. When they walked together, people would think they were sisters. There was also something about this girl which Robert couldn’t place. It nagged at him. One day, he plucked up courage and talked to her.

Hey lady, may I speak to you, please?

Sure, you can. What do you want to know?

It seems that I know you from somewhere. Can you help, and tell me where I have seen you before?

You know something? I have the same feeling, the girl replied. That’s why I looked at you and wanted to talk to you… Come to think of it, I’m sure we used to be at school where you always wanted to talk to me and tried to grab my hands. I used to be jealous when you used to talk to other girls. Anyway, I am Tina–

Robert’s heart gave a thump when he interrupted to say, Oh, yeah, it is Tina, short for Christine Redwood. Now I remember. He clicked his right thumb with his middle finger. Yes, yes, I am Robert Byron. It’s amazing how people change when they grow older! Well, it has been some years now. It’s surprising that some of your features have remained the same from before. I missed you when you left. What has happened to you?

There you are. You remember me well. Well, I can now see some of your features as I knew you before. Would you excuse me? I’ll talk to you next time because Mum wants to go and prepare dinner for a few guests who are dropping in this evening.

Robert nearly said that she didn’t need a bodyguard, but he managed to say, No problem. When she was going, he kept on looking towards her and he was almost forgetful when a customer came to talk to him.

*

Who was that gentleman you were talking to? Tina’s mum, Julie, asked.

Oh, Robert, well he’s a guy I knew from the primary school before I moved to Gloucester to stay with Nanny, Tina replied.

Is that his name, Robert? It seems that he has a liking for you. Did he like you then? He appears to be a polite guy and is good looking too.

Yes, Mum, it’s Robert. We liked each other then and I think I still like him. I would like to talk to him and see how he’s getting on and how come he is working in a market. What a funny place to meet though! But never mind! I can always find some time to talk to him another day, perhaps next Saturday.

I’m sure there is always next Saturday, Tina’s mum replied. If you are interested, you can invite him for tea one day.

I know it’s a bit soon but you don’t mind, do you, Mum? Do you think Dad will mind?

Why should I mind and why should he? You are an adult and so is he.

Thanks Mum. I don’t think we should rush things at the moment. I may go and talk to him again and again and get to know him better before we invite him home for tea, because I don’t know what he has been up to since we last knew each other and since we have grown up. He might be married now.

I think you have a good point there.

I know. You have to know these things, Mum.

Although they were a close family, Tina and her mum were debating on the way back home how they were going to break the news about Robert to Tina’s dad.

Ah, well, Julie decided, we’ll have to tell him one way or another so long as you like Robert and that he is not married yet.

Tina and her mum eventually mentioned their encounter with Robert to her dad. At first, he had mixed feelings because, firstly, Robert was working in a market and, secondly, he would have liked Tina to get a man who had a good job and who was not married. Then he said, I don’t mind, Tina, so long as you think you’re making the right choice.

Thank you, Dad, Tina said and she hugged him.

*

When Robert came back from work, his mum had already come back from work and his sister was pottering around the house. As of habit, they had their supper together and after that, they started to talk about their day’s events.

How was your day, Miranda?

It was alright, Mum. Auntie Diana went to fetch me from school, and I stayed at her place until it was time for you to come back from work.

Diana was one of the neighbours who had volunteered to take Miranda after school, whilst Miranda walked to school sometimes with Diana and other times with Robert.

That’s good, Miranda. And how was your day, Robert?

My day was as fine as could be expected. I was getting on well until I met this girl who I had known at the primary school. He continued, She looks attractive and I think I like her.

Oh, childhood sweetheart, eh? his mum replied and asked, do you like her, or have you fallen in love with her?

I think it’s a bit of both, Mum.

I think when you come to your age, it is usually more falling in love than liking a person, his mum said.

It is not necessarily so, Mum. Since I’ve met her after a long time, I would like to say I like her until I see her again and get to know her more. It depends upon my feelings. Perhaps she is married. You don’t know, do you?

It may be. You’ll find out next time. Anyway. Eileen added, We would like to see her as well sometimes. Is she nice?

Thank you. I would like to think that she is nice. Anyway, I would like to see Miranda attain something before I could think of myself.

Yes, Robert, but I’ll try to help you as well. I know I have not been able to send you to school after your dad passed away… She became emotional yet added, but I’ll do something for her with your help.

So, Miranda is due to start her Year 3. We hope that she will continue with her studies, his mum added.

I’m sure she will, Mum.

Chapter Two

Both Tina and her mum went to the market the next Saturday. They stayed away from Robert at first because Tina wanted to be in the right frame of mind or brave enough to talk to him again. They saw that he was working and was occasionally looking around, presumably he was expecting to see Tina. Robert was in the middle of serving a customer when Tina changed her mind and just appeared in front of him.

Oh, hello! he exclaimed. Where did you come from? I didn’t see you coming, and I kept on looking out for you.

Ah, it’s magic, Tina replied.

He then continued serving his customer as Tina stood there watching him and giving ‘come and get me’ looks. When he had finished, he felt like holding and kissing her, but he managed to say, How are you? Are you on your own? Sorry I couldn’t talk to you soon as I saw you.

I am okay. Don’t worry, Robert. Work is work. Mum is over there talking with some people she knows. How are you and how has your week been?

I’m fine. Thanks for asking. I’ve been busy thinking of you most of the time because we didn’t have the chance to finish off our conversation last week. By the way, this is my boss, David.

Hello, David, I’m pleased to meet you. My name is Tina. I have known Robert from the time we were at primary school. I hope he is behaving himself.

I am pleased to meet you as well, Tina. I am glad you have known him from before. He is a nice guy and does his work very well and, of course he is behaving himself.

It’s nice to know, David. Turning to Robert, she said, I won’t keep you long since, I know you are busy at the moment. Mum and I have decided to invite you to our place for a short period after work, just for a cup of tea. Would you like that? It’s most likely you would like to have a wash or a shower after a long day’s work, but at least you can see where I live…

I think he would like that, David interrupted.

That’s a bit soon to ask me to come to your place. I don’t mind popping to see you just for a cuppa because, as you said, I’ll need to go home for a shower and rest. But I would like you to come to my place as well, some other time.

I’ll do that. We’ll probably arrange something else later.

Before Tina left, she gave Robert her address and phone number in case he could not find her place. She also gave him directions and, by the look of it, it was not difficult to get there. She added that he should go north of Kingsland Road, turn left by the cinema, and then take the immediate left. Her house was only a few yards away. She then said goodbye to both Robert and David and left.

There you are, David pronounced. You are in luck, mate. She’s a corker. You should go for it.

You reckon so, David? Robert replied. Thank you for the compliment. I’ll try my best… I thought that she was married, but she is definitely not.

They were able to pack their stuff and lock it in a cabin which David, just like the other merchants, kept on the side of the road, and would be back on Monday at about nine o’clock in the morning to start all over again. Robert took heed of David’s compliment and went to look for Tina’s home, which was not difficult to find. Before he went there, he phoned his mum to tell her where he was going, in case he was late and she would get worried. He knocked at Tina’s door, and it was answered by this bloke who was walking with crutches, which Robert thought that he was going to hit him with. That person was of medium build with dark hair and brown eyes. He must have been in his early sixties. Robert was expecting Tina or her mother to answer the door. At the same time, Robert was surprised that Tina had not told him that her dad was using crutches – perhaps it hadn’t occurred to her.

Sorry, sir, I must have knocked at the wrong door.

Oh, hello, you have not knocked at the wrong door. You must be Robert, I am Ron, Tina’s dad. Come on in. We thought you might drop in. He led Robert to the lounge of, as Tina had told Robert, a three-bedroom, terraced house. The front garden was only about two or three yards wide and was also surrounded by a brick wall and, as there was not enough space to plant anything, was paved off and had some pot plants around it. Come and take a seat. Tina will be here in a minute. He had hardly said that, when Tina walked in with a tray, with a cup of tea and some biscuits, and was followed by her mum.

You made it to the right house then, Robert. I had already prepared tea for you and hoped that you would come. You must be thirsty.

Yes, I followed your directions and here I am. Yes, I am a bit thirsty and I could do with a nice cuppa and some of your biscuits.

He couldn’t tell her that he wasn’t keen on drinking tea, but he would tell her later – he only drank coffee at home.

Yes, he came and knocked at the door. I answered it and he thought that it was the wrong door…

I think that he thought that I would answer the door, Tina interrupted.

Perhaps you are right. As I said, I won’t stay long because it has been a long day for me and I’m a bit tired.

I understand that. I can see you’ve already met my dad.

Yes, I have. He is a nice person.

Oh, thank you. Sorry he is in this state, Robert, Tina’s mum said and added, you know he was working away merrily in a warehouse in the city. He had hurt his foot and did not take much notice of it. That injury became septic, so he went to hospital where he was diagnosed as having diabetes. Diabetes, they say, may be due to deficiency of insulin and that’s the reason why he is on insulin injection now. At first, we were worried because he was complaining of tiredness and loss of weight. They tried to tend to the injury, but it had gone a bit far and he had already got gangrene. They said that if he had been tended to sooner, they would have removed the big toe only. And now they didn’t have any choice other than to remove the foot from the ankle. For this reason, he has to use crutches. He gets on alright. It seems that the gangrene has healed, but they say that there is a chance that it may come back. He is alright at present. As a result, he cannot work now and he has been pensioned off.

I’m sorry to hear that, Robert replied. I hope he will be okay now.

We are sad, though, but what can we do? We sincerely hope that he won’t get any worse, Tina’s mum added. It has been controlled by medicine. He has to have an injection and one tablet regularly for the rest of his life.

It was at this moment that Robert noticed that Tina’s dad did not have his left foot because, although he was using the crutches when he had opened the front door for him, he was wearing long trousers. Robert had his tea and biscuit and was joined by Tina and her mum. Her dad had only a cup of sugar-free tea because he had to watch what he ate and drank because of his condition. While Robert was eating, he asked, Have you any brothers or sisters, Tina?

Unfortunately, Tina is our only child, her dad replied instead. How about you, Robert, have you any brothers or sisters?

I only have a sister, Miranda, who is fourteen years of age and is in Year 2 now at the secondary school, and I am the only boy in the family and I am eighteen years of age.

How about your parents, what do they do? Tina’s mum asked.

Well, my dad died a couple of years ago. As I didn’t know much about heart problems, Mum told me that he died of a heart attack. Mum also told us that Dad was fit and well and was working at a travel agency in City Road. One afternoon when he came back from work, he just collapsed. The ambulance took him to hospital, and he was pronounced dead upon arrival. He was then certified dead by a doctor there.

We are sorry to hear that, Robert. I am sure you are missing him, Julie said.

Of course, we are missing him a lot, Robert continued. I suppose we have to get on with life. Anyway, Mum works at the superstore by the main road. After the death of my father, I had to leave my school and look for a job. I managed to find what I am doing now. I wanted to help Mum because she is not herself nowadays, yet she goes to work as of necessity.

You’re very good, Robert, Tina’s dad answered. You must be an angel for doing this for the sake of your mum and sister.

We’ll perhaps meet your mum at the superstore one day, Tina’s mum replied.

You won’t miss her. You can just ask for her and they will introduce her to you.

After this conversation, Robert left, with the promise that he would meet the family again or vice versa.

Robert appears to be a very good guy, Ron said to Tina and her mum when Robert had gone. It’s a pity that he couldn’t continue with his studies after his father had passed away.

It’s sad that things like this happened to a nice guy like him, Julie added. I don’t think you will go wrong if one day you get married to him, Tina.

Again, you’re running before you can walk, Mum, Tina replied. We have to see how things develop first. As it is, it seems that Robert may only like someone to cheer him up. We do not know if he would like to get married or not, do we? Besides, I may not be ready yet.

You win again, Tina.

Of course, I did, Mum. As I said, we’ll have to wait and see how things develop first.

It seemed that Tina had fallen in love with Robert, but she had to stick to her guns to see ‘how things develop’. Robert was on her mind all the time. She felt that she would like to go and see him the very next day but wanted to go to see him briefly on Monday at the market before she went to work. The problem was that the market did not start before nine o’clock in the morning and she had to be at work at nine o’clock. So she had to wait until next Saturday. In fact, she was working in an office in the city as a personal secretary for a shipping company. She used to finish her work at five o’clock and Robert would have gone home by that time. She didn’t want to phone him in case he was busy. Her mum was also working in the city, as a sale’s person in a different company and her father had to stay at home after his accident, although he went out to a pub not far from his house quite often and met his friends there, not to drink but to socialise and avoid being bored at home.

*

Robert came home with a big smile on his face like a Cheshire cat.

So you are back, his mum said. How did you get on? By your smile, I can say that you had a good time at Tina’s place, Robert. I thought you would be later than eight o’clock.

I had to come back so that I could rest, as I am working tomorrow. Anyway, it was not a good time, but I was able to meet the family. Tina is a lovely girl and I think we have fallen for each other. I met her father, and he stays at home because he walks with crutches. Tina’s mum was telling me that he is suffering from diabetes and, as the result of some injury, he ended up having a gangrenous left foot which was eventually amputated.

I’m sorry to hear that. It’s sad, though. Did she tell you all this on your first visit to them?

Yes, she did, Mum. It is better they tell me now than never. He’s alright at present, but he is living from one day to the next. Her mother, by the way, works in the city as well. They asked about you and I told them where you work. Don’t be surprised if they pop in at your workplace just to say hello to you.

I would love to meet them. It’s sad about the dad though. It shows how life can be cruel.

I know it is, Mum. At first, it was Dad and now it is him. By the way, how was your day? And how was yours, Miranda?

My day was as good as could be expected, his mum replied, but, as you know, things are not the same as before.

My day was okay, Miranda replied. We played a bit of volley ball just after our classes and it was fun. Our team drew with the team from Year 4. We are hoping to play another game next month and hope that we’ll win this time.

That’s good to know, Miranda, Robert replied. Keep it up. At least you are good at some games which I did not have the chance to even train for. I’ll keep my fingers crossed that you’ll win next time.

Hope we do as well. The whole class is looking forward to it.

After the evening meal, Robert said, Mum, do not worry too much about Dad…

Robert, he was my husband…

He was our father as well, Mum. We dearly loved him, and we shall always pray that he has gone to a better place and that he will rest in peace.

I know it is easier said than done, Robert. I am glad that you are here to morally support us. Our colleague also told me not to worry too much and bear the problem with a smile.

At least she meant it well. Besides, Mum, a son’s duty is to help his mum, I suppose. It is all with your support and advice, Mum. I’m glad that Miranda is here to help me as well.

I’m always here for you, bruv.

Thank you all, Eileen replied.

*

Robert’s mum, Eileen, was hoping that Tina might turn up in the next day or so, but she felt disappointed when she didn’t turn up. When she mentioned it to Robert, Robert said that Tina was doing a nine-to-five job and so was her mum unless she decided to come in especially to see her, and that Eileen finished at four o’clock. However, one Thursday when she was busy checking the aisles, she saw these two women entering the store. She didn’t take much notice of it because customers kept on coming in and out like that. When she saw Tina, she said to herself that the girl was pretty and the other woman accompanying her was older and looked nice as well. When they talked to one of her colleagues, who pointed them towards her, she realised that they must be Tina and her mum. They approached Eileen and the other lady spoke.

Excuse me, please, are you Robert’s mum by any chance?

Yes, I am. So, looking at Tina, she said, you must be Tina and this lady must be your mum?

Yes we are, Tina’s mum replied. This is Tina, and I am Julie.

And I am Eileen. Tina, you are beautiful, just like Robert told me, Eileen said. It’s nice to see you both. I was hoping to see you one day or another. When I didn’t see you in the last few days, I told Robert about it and he said that you would be at work and that you would pop in whenever you had the opportunity.

Well, we didn’t have much time, but we decided to take some time off just to come to see you.

That’s nice of you. You shouldn’t have rushed because we have plenty of time. Robert was telling me about your dad, Tina.

Yes, Julie replied, Ron has this horrible disease which is diabetes. He is…

I know you’ve come especially to see me, but I’m sorry, we’ll have to talk another day because, being Thursday, we are becoming a bit busy, Eileen interrupted.

It’s okay, Tina replied. At least, we’ve been able to meet each other even if it was just for a few moments. We would like to arrange a family meeting, perhaps on a Sunday when we are not working.

I don’t know what we are doing this Sunday, Eileen replied, but I’ll talk to Robert and ask him to give you a ring. Sorry we won’t be able to talk at ease today. We’ll catch up when we meet later.

That’s okay. We understand. You are at work. At least we have met, Tina’s mum replied, and added, we’ll be hearing from Robert… He is a nice boy. Then they left.

Thank you, Eileen said after them.

Chapter Three

Tina and her mum came to see me at my workplace this afternoon, Eileen was telling Robert later when they were sitting down for tea along with Miranda. Robert sounded surprised yet he stated, Oh, that’s great. How did you get on?

It was okay, but, unfortunately, we only managed to have a brief conversation because they had come at the time when the store started to get a bit busy. At least I was able to see Tina. Oh, she is rather pretty. Her mum was nice as well. I like them.

That’s nice to know, Mum. I am glad that they managed to come to see you. I’m also pleased that you liked them.

I would like to meet them as well, Mum, Miranda added.

Don’t worry, Miranda, I’m sure you will meet them as well in due course, Eileen replied, and added, I mentioned to them that we can see them one Sunday when we shall have more time to communicate with each other. You can phone them and, since we are not doing anything, we can arrange to see them this Sunday, Robert. We could invite them to our place but they are rather inconvenienced because her dad can hardly walk and I don’t want them to hire a taxi either.

So, I’ll ring them and see if they are free this Sunday, Robert mentioned, or we’ll be able to visit them instead. Then Robert said to himself, ‘if he can hobble up to the pub, he can hobble to our home instead of coming by taxi.’

Robert, they have to come here sometime, Eileen interrupted, so that they can see our place as well.

I know that, Mum. That will happen in due course.

Robert phoned Tina the next evening and apologised that Eileen had been unable to talk to them for too long when they had visited her at the store.

That’s alright, Robert, Tina replied. We understand. Hope she was pleased to see us, though.

Of course, she was pleased. Hey, by the way, what are you doing this Sunday?

We are not doing much. Yes, I remember your mum saying that you are free mostly every Sunday, Tina said.

Yes, it’s just that we would like to come to your place this Sunday at about two o’clock in the afternoon, Robert answered.

Tina sounded excited and replied, That sounds great! Hang on a minute, please, I’ll ask Mum and Dad to see if they have got anything planned. They don’t usually have much to do anyway. Can I phone you back in a moment? She hung up and