Sept 24

12C Foggy but the sun is starting to burn the fog off.

Yesterday I tracked down another boyhood friend, it's been 63 years since we talked last! Those of you who have read my story "The Window" will remember him - my friend Billy. I am looking forward to getting together with him one of these days.

I apologize for repeating part of the 'story' yesterday - I goofed up.
Last night we took Mari to a hockey game - her first one ever.

Why don’t you sit here for a few moments while I talk to our finance department?”

  He excused himself and went out and down the hall. He stopped by several offices and visited with various individuals then made his way back after about fifteen minutes. As he sat down in his chair again, he shook his head, gave a small sigh and said, “Very well, we will have to make some adjustments in our budget but we can do it. Now when can you be ready to leave?”

  “Do you have someone for Headingly?” The Doctor asked.

  “No actually not at this moment, but that can be arranged soon and if there is a slight lapse, it will not be problematic.”

  “Then I think we can be ready in about a month and a half. We will put some of our belongings in storage, we will have to find accommodation for ---.”

  The Bishop interrupted, “Yes, yes. That sounds fine. There are still some finishing touches to be done in Somalia, six weeks should be just right. Now is there anything else?”

  For the first time Mrs. Pearce spoke up, “Yes Bishop, I will have to once again teach my children and I presume I will be needed at the hospital, can you assure us that there will be an allowance for a nanny and a cook or a maid?”

  “Oh, oh yes, hmmph, I see yes, yes I will see that is addressed and will be written into the appointment. Now I’m afraid I have another appointment so if there is nothing further?”

  The two Pearces chorused, “Thank you Bishop, good day.”

Chapter 9.

  Forty-six days later the family bid farewell to each other. All three girls wept loudly as the reality of the moment set in. John manfully keeping his tears in check, hugged his two little sisters, awkwardly embraced his mother and shook his father’s hand. Jean followed suit by hugging and kissing the departing four, crying all the while. The four boarded the train which would take them to Plymouth, where they would embark on a liner that would take them first to North Africa then on down the western coast of the continent around Cape Horn and on to Somalia. The voyage would take almost a full month.

  As the train blew its whistle John stepped forward and waved frantically at his mother, when she looked out at him, he put his hands to his eyes then gestured down the length of the train and mouthed the words, ‘LOOK THAT WAY, THE FUTURE LIES AHEAD’.

Mrs. Pearce stared at her son for a moment then leaned to the window and stared in the direction he had pointed. When the train chugged from the station she turned and blinded by the tears streaming from her eyes half collapsed in her husband’s arms and sobbed violently. He held her for several minutes occasionally wiping his own eyes.

  When the train had disappeared around a curve in the tracks, John and Jean made their way to their Aunt who had stayed back while the family said their goodbyes. Without a word she took them both into her arms and held them tightly.

  A few weeks later school finished as did John and Jean’s years of grade school education. Jean found employment for the summer helping to restore the Manchester library and catalogue books. John found a farm a few miles outside the city where help was needed to attend to a dairy herd.