Life Changes (Hope Springs Eternal)

by secwaters

The third of my stories about the Swallows, Amazons, Ds and Eels as adults - this one is set in the 1980s. Once again to make sense of some of the story it helps to have read my previous two! (Rated T as it is really for adult readers who are familiar with all the S & A books.) I've given this a new title as the original has been used here - apologies!

29. Chapter 29

CHAPTER XXIX

NEW ARRIVAL?

In almost a mad rush they all gathered at the kitchen door to watch Dot's arrival, the newly arrived car was clearly expensive, John was impressed, whereas the women were far more curious to see who her guest was, all of them, even Nancy and Daisy, assuming that it would be a man.

Dot alighted from the passenger seat of the car, looked across at them all at the kitchen door, smiled, and then waited for the driver of the car to get out. A tall, distinguished man did so, he was the same age as all of them, he avoided looking in their direction and walked around to the boot of the car to retrieve luggage. Dot waited for him.

In that moment Dick has a split second of recognition, there was something familiar about the man, the way he walked. As he pondered this, that kind of thinking that distracts you from everything else, Dot and the man had walked to the kitchen door and were being welcomed by the others, then it struck him.

Dot's greeting stopped him from speaking his thoughts out loud.

'Hello everyone, this is Tom.' She gestured to the man. Dick then almost shouted.

'Tom Dudgeon!' Tom was pleased that someone remembered him and gave him a chance to say something.

'It is indeed Dick, when did we last meet?' Dick edge forward through the others and held out his hand to shake Tom's proffered hand.

'Many years ago, how are you?'

'Well, very well, it's good to see you again.'

Dot curtailed the conversation and greeted all the others, having kissed them as she always did, then she introduced each one to Tom, when she got to Nancy Tom spoke before she could say anything.

'Didn't you met the Death and Glories? Got hit on the head with an oar when they stowed away on that cabin cruiser?'

'I did indeed, so you're that Tom, the doctor's son?'

'I am indeed.' Dot then gave Tom a gentle push to move him on to meet the others.

'We'll have plenty of time for all that later, I'll tell everyone about you.'

She and Tom then greeted all the others, and then Dot took him upstairs to meet Roger.

Once they were all alone in the kitchen without Dot and Tom, they all fired questions at Titty assuming that she must know all about Tom and Dot's relationship. Titty surprised them.

'I'm not saying anything, I'll let Dot tell you at supper. Now Daisy, I assume you're cooking, do you want any help?'

'Not this time Titty, I think Peggy and I have things under control.'