"We'll miss you over Christmas dear," Shelagh said.
Tim and Julie had made the mince pies. Julie enjoyed it even though she would be making more when she arrived home for the holidays the following morning. She was leaving just when Tim was back in London, but she'd be back to see nineteen-seventy-four in with him.
She and Tim set out for the bus back to her flat for the evening. It was cold, but she was wrapped up in her Christmas gift from Mrs. Turner, a new scarf.
Kate was out with Arthur, even though they'd be able to see each other over the holiday. Arthur's family lived close enough that he could borrow his father's car to visit Kate. Tim and Julie weren't as lucky.
The empty flat was warm when they entered from the December cold. Tim helped her with her coat and turned her into his arms.
"I wish you could stay. I'm not used to being home without you visiting."
Julie wished the same and when Tim kissed her, she wished they never had to be apart.
"I have your present," Tim said.
Excited, she replied, "I have yours too."
She gave him his gift. She had struggled, but decided on a nice pen and pencil set.
He beamed, "Whenever I write I can think of you."
"I didn't know what to get you," she confessed.
"I love it. I knew what to get for you."
She took the small wrapped gift and inside found a gold heart pendant on a delicate chain.
"I'm giving you my heart so you can keep it with you when we're apart."
"Your heart?" Her heart was beating rapidly.
"My heart belongs to you, Julie Miller. I love you."
"You do?" He nodded. She smiled, "I love you too." She felt a sadness and said, "Being in love doesn't change anything. We'll still never be together."
"Not never, just not as often as we like. Eventually I'll finish."
"I know."
"Let's not ruin the time we have together worrying about tomorrow," Tim said with confidence, as he wrapped her in his arms.
##
When he arrived home, his Mum and Dad were still awake. He sat down with them.
Shelagh asked, "Did you have a nice evening?"
"Why does it have to be so difficult?"
"What, dear?"
"Always being apart, Teddy sees Julie more than me," Tim said frustrated.
"It won't always be this way, Tim. Someday these years will be a distant memory. You've worked hard toward a goal you've had since you were young," Patrick said.
"I don't want Julie to be a memory," he said exasperated.
Patrick and Shelagh looked at each other and laughed.
Annoyed, Tim said, "It's not funny!"
"Tim dear, we're sorry, but it seems your father and I have been making assumptions."
"What kind of assumptions?"
"I told your father that I'd gladly let Julie make our Christmas mince pies after…"
"After what?"
"Son, Mum and I assume that when your done training that you would get married. Isn't that…"
"I've been so short sighted, I haven't thought that far ahead," Tim mumbled.
He let his mind wander. With Julie as his wife, he would always laugh and she'd be the mother of his sons. These thoughts were doing him no good. They would only make the three and a half years go slower.
"Tim just don't rush certain things. Three years is a long time," Patrick said.
"Patrick!"
"Dad!"
They each exclaimed at the same time.
"What he's training in obstetrics, he's not naive."
"Don't worry, you raised me. I respect Julie too much," Tim assured them.
Tim has been very careful to not get too heated with Julie, but his father was right, it was a long time. Somehow his parents only made him feel worse.
##
"Look who decided to come home," Henry Miller said.
"Happy Christmas, Dad," Julie greeted him with a kiss on the cheek. The scent of stale smoke and whiskey filled her nose just as she expected.
She'd been home for six hours and her mother put her right to work. First it was the mince and then the Christmas pudding. Her sister, Carole, seemed relieved for the help. She was sixteen and Julie knew when she left home the burden of chores went to her sister.
"Look it's Julie. Where's dinner?" her brother, George asked as he looked at the table which hadn't been laid out yet.
Three of her brothers had finished their schooling and worked at the machine tool factory with her father. They had come home after a stop at the pub and were demanding dinner.
Like father, like sons.
Julie thought of Tim who helped make mince pies the day before. He had also served her the first time she went to Poplar and did the washing up numerous times.
The oldest of the boys, Henry Junior, sat at the table and demanded, "Julie get me a drink."
"Junior, get your own drink. You've got legs," she said without thinking.
"Girl, whatever high and mighty that's gotten into you in London, you best leave it there. I won't have my daughter talking to any man that way," her father scowled.
Julie asked in the sweetest voice, "What would you like Junior?"
"An ale."
"Dad?"
"Same."
She pulled out four bottles, opened each and put them on the table.
Her youngest brother was only sixteen. "Charlie what about you?"
"Carole get some milk for you and Charlie," Muriel Miller said.
Murial lumbered from the cooktop to the table and sat. Her breathing was heavy. Poor Carole, if today was an indication their mother required a lot of help.
Mealtime was not fun, everyone ate and no one talked. The boys raced to finish so they could have another helping when there was one. The girls were always served last. Many nights Julie was left with very little. She didn't mind because she refused to let her figure go like her mum.
While she and Carole did the washing up, Mum asked, "Do you eat? You're awful skinny."
"I eat plenty."
"Well you best go clean up. Walter will be here any minute," Muriel said.
"Why it is Walter coming?"
"He's taking you to the nativity play at church. Carole will go along."
"Mum, I'm not going out with Walter."
"Of course you are. When you've finished your adventure in London, you and Walter will settle down. I was thinking you should come back by summer."
"Mum, I'm not ever coming back and I'm not marrying Walter from next door. I have a boyfriend. We're in love. See…"
She held up the heart that Tim gave her.
"You never mentioned a boyfriend when you called home."
"I know I wanted to tell you in person. I'm not going out with Walter when I have a boyfriend."
"I wanted to go to the play. Please Julie, I want to go with you and Walter," Carole pleaded.
Julie wondered if her little sister fancied the man seven years older. Walter was an alright bloke. She could see that a girl might find him attractive.
Walter arrived looking shiny and smelling of aftershave.
I like the way Tim smells better.
As soon as they started walking toward the church, Julie blurted out, "Walter, I don't know whose idea this was, but I have a boyfriend. I wanted you to know, so there wouldn't be any confusion."
"But your mum told my mum…"
"It doesn't matter what my mum said, because I am an adult and I'll choose who I love."
"You love this London boyfriend?"
"I do, very much. You'll find someone who cares for you." Carole seemed quite intent on their conversation, so Julie added, "Maybe a girl that you already know."
Carole added, "Walter don't feel sad, I'll keep you company in the meanwhile."
"You're a good girl, Carole, always coming out to talk to me."
Carole beamed.
The moment they arrived, Julie spied Kate and ran over to her.
"You look like you've been through the war!" Kate said.
"Not even a day in that house and I'm exhausted, but listen…"
Julie whispered in Kate's ear. Kate turned her head and saw Carole talking Walter's ear off.
The poor girl.
"My mum knows about Tim and she wasn't happy when I told her that I'm never coming home."
"You're going to live in London and have Tim's babies. I can see it, although I'll be here in Sussex with Arthur," Kate said a bit disappointed.
"Does Arthur need to come back or could he stay in London?" Julie asked.
"He says there is a need outside of London too and apparently he gets on with his family."
"Well maybe it's best you love your family. You'd miss your mum. My mum isn't your mum."
Julie thought of Mrs. Turner and wished her mother was just a bit like her.
"That bad, huh?"
"I'm just glad that I don't live here anymore."
The play helped put Julie in the Christmas spirit. She asked Walter and Carole to wait for her whilst, she stopped at the phone box on the corner.
Mrs. Turner answered and she called Tim to the phone.
"Jules!"
She sighed just hearing his voice.
"Are you alright?" he asked.
"Now I am. I told my mother about you and she wasn't happy. She is expecting me to come home and marry the boy next door."
"You can't do that."
"Of course not, I went to London for a reason and now there's you. You gave me your heart."
"I did and I meant it."
"I know. I'm sorry, but I've got to go. I'll call again. Bye Tim."
Julie felt better as she walked home.