Shattered Dreams by Vivienne Dockerty Read Free Book Online

puzzled at her niece’s suggestion.“There won’t be any room for your fiancé with the little ones as well.”
    “Ah, but they won’t be there much longer. Mother came into the shop and told me that they’d found a place to rent in Southport, that’s where Isabel’s new husband comes from and they want to make a fresh start there.”
    “I couldn’t possibly, Irene. I haven’t even met your parents, what will they think when I turn up on the doorstep?”
    “You didn’t know Aunty Miriam either until you turned up here today. I’m sure Aunty will let you stay one night on the sofa and then we can go tomorrow and I’ll introduce you.”
    Irene and Eddie caught the bus from Woodside terminus to Wallasey. They got off on the corner of the dock road and walked up Poulton Bridge Road to Peartree Cottage. It was a four square building made of sandstone and in the small front garden stood the tree that gave the house its name.
    Irene’s sister answered the door. She looked as if the baby she was expecting was due for arrival at any moment, with her bump in front looking incongruous on her tiny frame. She’d had to wear a big coat for her recent registry office wedding.
    “Irene,” she said smiling, as she looked beyond her sister and saw she had a young man with her.
    “Is this Eddie you’ve got with you? I wondered when we were going to meet your fiancé, you naughty girl.”
    “Yes, this is Eddie. Eddie, this is Isabel, my sister. I only told Mother yesterday that I was engaged to be married and she said I was to bring you over straight away. I bet they didn’t think I’d be bringing you over so soon, though.”
    “Who is it, Isabel?” asked a feeble voice from within.
    “It’s Irene, Dad. She’s brought her fiance over to meet us. I’ll just go and put the kettle on the hob and I’ll make us a cup of tea.”
    “Hello Papa,” said Irene, walking into the rather sparsely furnished room, where her father lay on a sagging blue moquette-covered sofa.
    “I’ve brought Eddie, my intended, to meet you. This is Eddie. Meet my father, Charlie Wilson.”
    Eddie nodded politely, putting out his hand to grasp the man’s in his, whilst feeling sorry for the poor old bugger.
    “Is Mother about? I suppose she’ll be in the garden, that’s where I’d expect her anyway.”
    “She’s out there with Isabel’s husband bringing in the new potatoes. This is the first time they’ve had the opportunity, I could hear the rain lashing on the windows yesterday.”
    “Poor Papa, is your eyesight no better? Is there nothing more they can do for you? What did the hospital say?”
    “Stop worrying over it Irene, what will be will be. Eddie, come over and sit by me. I’ve still a little sight left enough to take a good look at my future son-to-be.”
    “Pleased to meet you, Sir,” said Eddie, sitting down beside the man and staring into the pale, lined face.“I believe you used to be a sparky, working on those underwater machines.”
    “Submarines, Eddie. I think that’s how I began to lose my eyesight. Being under water for long periods makes a body think they’re a mole.”
    There was a titter of polite laughter from Charlie’s daughters and Eddie, but all of them felt compassion for the man.
    “And are you going to be old-fashioned, Eddie, and ask me for permission to wed my daughter?”
    “Of course, Sir, that’s why I’m here today to ask for your daughter’s hand.”
    “I’m sure whoever our Irene falls in love with will make her happy. She’s a practical girl with a good head on her shoulders and won’t have chosen the first man who came along. Come here both of you and let me give you my blessing.”
    He took both their hands in his and gave them a wry smile.
    The couple looked upon him sadly. Though Eddie had never seen him before, the man seemed to be wasting away. He’d heard from Irene that Charlie had never been robust after having spent a long time underwater marooned in a submarine,