She had returned very late from another visit to the flat. She had waited for Patrick to return from a late call which came right on the heels of his visiting Shelagh.
She had been considering staying for the night when Patrick arrived back, "Sorry I am so late. You should have gone to sleep in my bed."
"Where would you have slept?"
"On the sofa, I suppose or I could have put Angela in with you and taken her bed. Let me drive you unless you want to stay."
"I do not want to take your bed. If you do not mind taking me this late."
"Not at all."
"Should I come back over the weekend when you do not have Mrs. Penny?"
"If it is not too much bother."
"It is never a bother."
Because of the late hour she came in the night before she slept much later than ever the next morning. She awoke to her doorbell ringing.
After becoming aware of her senses she found her sister, Betty on her doorstep looking quite unhappy.
"I was about ready to call the police. I was ringing you all day yesterday and half the night. Why ever are you not dressed? You sick or something?"
"Not sick. Just tired I was up past midnight."
"Past midnight! Whatever for?"
"I was in Poplar. I had to wait for Patrick to come home from a housecall so he could give you a ride."
She let her in and Betty followed her to the kitchen as she started the tea.
"I thought you had been just last week. Why do you keep going back?"
"To help out."
"To help. He has a wife for that."
"She's in the hospital."
"The hospital? Is she sick?"
"Not exactly...she is expecting and there are some problems...You remember what I went through don't you."
"Yes, but aren't they a bit old to be having a baby."
"She is quite a bit younger than Patrick."
"Ohhh that explains it."
"Explains what?"
"Why he was so keen to marry...he wanted a nice young..."
"Stop! It is not like that. If you saw them you would know that they were meant for each other. I can honestly say that she understands him and his work better than my Marianne ever did."
"Humph."
"Why do I feel like I have to chose between them and you? If you make me choose you will not like my choice."
"You really like her don't you."
"Yes, I really do."
Betty stayed awhile longer, she told her that she would be going back for the weekend.
Then she said, "I really must be getting dressed and on with my day."
She was glad to see her sister go. It was exhausting trying to convince her that she was happy with her new family.
Betty called on Friday and announced, " David will drive you in the morning so you don't take the bus."
"Are you sure? Patrick was going to come fetch me if he could."
"Yes, it is my way to show you that I have accepted what you are doing."
"Alright then. I'll see David in the morning."
She always like David. He was a good man. Judy had chosen well.
David picked her up and drove her. On the way he said, " It's been a long time"
"Long time?"
"Since I been to the East End. Looks like a lot has changed. Grew up here you know."
"I quite forgot."
"Well here we are. Let me help you with your things."
The door was answered by Timothy.
"Oh hello," he said surprised to see David. "Come in. Granny can I help you."
"I am fine Timothy dear."
"Is your old Dad at home?" David asked.
Before Timothy could answer, Patrick poked his head out the kitchen door and said,"Who's old?"
"Look at you Pat! You haven't changed a bit. What's this?" he asked pointing to the dish towel on his shoulder.
"Just cleaning up breakfast."
Angela jumped down from the table and ran to Granny the minute she saw her.
"Slow down young lady," Patrick laughed.
"Hard to believe you have a little one."
"With hope, I'll be having another one soon." Patrick added, "I want to stay and visit I really do, but my rounds."
Leaning down he kissed Angela's forehead and said, "You mind Granny."
"She always does," Granny responded and Patrick thanked her.
"Tim, I'll stop back later. I'll take you to visit this afternoon if I can. Just look sixteen," he winked and said to David, "It was great seeing you old chum."
"Bye Pat. Take care." and he was gone.
David looked around the sitting room and his eye did catch the new family picture.
Granny noticed and said, "They are a lovely family."
"I see that. Looks like he did quite well for himself"
Timothy responded, "Mums beautiful, but she is smart and caring and…"
"She looks all of those things. I am glad. Now I remember you mentioning that Sister Evangelina had passed on. What about Sister Monica Joan?"
"She a bit wacky, but she is still here."
"She brought me into this world. Mum told stories of how young and scared she was, but Sister was so calm and reassuring."
"You're from Poplar?" Tim asked.
"Bow...East End born and raise. I managed to get out though...after the war."
"I don't want to live any place else," Tim said.
"Well I best be off. Judy will be wondering what kept me. Auntie just call anytime you need a lift. Bye all."
"Well that was nice. I always liked David," Granny said after he left.
"I'd say he is the best one of the lot," Tim responded, "Must be the East End in him."
"You may be right. Now what are we going to do with ourselves today?"