though the water is clear at that point.’
‘My dear, you can take the ferry from the harbour, then walk back along the river path. Paddy’s keen to make the trip, why don’t you go with him this morning?’
‘It’s supposed to be my practice today,’ May said.
‘Ring your mother up – say you’ve got something better to do,’ Jenny advised.
‘Oh, I can’t do that, I’d never hear the end of it.’
‘Look,’ Paddy put in, ‘I don’t mind waiting while you have your lesson. Then, why don’t we give the Punch and Judy a miss until Saturday, when the visitors will begin to arrive? You’re bound to be busy from then on, especially with the August bank holiday coming up on the third.’
‘You don’t need to ask me twice!’ she told him.
Paddy sat where he was told, some way back in the little theatre. He had been warned by Carmen to be quiet. There was no dancing spotlight on stage for rehearsals, but the house lights were on. The guitar strumming began. May, to her mother’s disapproval, was not dressed for dancing. She wore a pair of faded blue box-pleated shorts which Jenny had sorted out from a collection of clothes destined for the next jumble sale, deeming these suitable for a boat trip, and her oldschool blouse. Her hair was tied severely back. May followed her mother’s instructions.
Paddy observed how May had grown in confidence, but with that hairstyle, he thought, she looks very different from when we first met.
‘You will soon be ready for your debut – the audience here will not realize you are a novice. You have the hair right, anyway,’ Carmen said, at the end of the hour.
‘Debut…?’ May sounded uncertain. ‘Well, thank you for the lesson, anyway. We have an errand to run for Jenny now.’
‘Wait a moment, I have a gift for you and your sister. Can you use a camera?’
‘Yes, Dad’s old Brownie. He showed us how to make good pictures. Unfortunately, Pom dropped it one day and the film is jammed inside. Aunt Min said she’d get it mended—’
‘That won’t be necessary now. But you should be the one responsible , not your clumsy sister.’ Carmen handed the box to May. ‘This has a film, ready to use.’
‘Thank you.’ I can take photographs to record our summer season, May thought, pleased. She said aloud, to please Carmen, ‘I must get a picture of you in costume on stage.’
The trip in the rowing-boat across the river was quite an experience . A chain ferry would soon be in place to transport freight as well as folk, but meantime the town was reluctant to lose its ferryman, the last of a long line, with his shaggy beard, twinkling eyes, if rheumy from the wind, ancient cap and fisherman’s smock. The swish of the oars as the boat headed for the far side, the cries of the swooping gulls overhead, the breeze whipping May’s hair free of its constraints, was exhilarating. The boat was packed with passengers , and as they sat shoulder to shoulder on the plank seats, Paddy was able to watch May’s expressive face at close quarters.
All too soon the boat arrived at the mooring, and old Noah, despite his great age, leapt nimbly out and helped them ashore. There were people waiting for the return journey.
‘Back in a while,’ he called, as he made ready to row back.
May and Paddy strolled along to the huts and joined a queue of people with baskets to fill.
Bobby Blowers had a ruddy face, a shock of silver hair and an explosion of a laugh, which caused his big belly to wobble.
The smoked fish looked like washing hanging on lines, and Bobby had a fine selection. ‘On the bone – or does Jenny want me to fillet some for you?’ he asked.
May had to back tactfully out into the fresh air outside the hut while Bobby wrapped the haddock in newspaper. The smell of fish was overpowering, she thought. Paddy lingered to buy some sprats, too, which were packed in a barrel with crushed ice. There was a glut of these tiny fish this summer.
‘Fresh caught early
‘My dear, you can take the ferry from the harbour, then walk back along the river path. Paddy’s keen to make the trip, why don’t you go with him this morning?’
‘It’s supposed to be my practice today,’ May said.
‘Ring your mother up – say you’ve got something better to do,’ Jenny advised.
‘Oh, I can’t do that, I’d never hear the end of it.’
‘Look,’ Paddy put in, ‘I don’t mind waiting while you have your lesson. Then, why don’t we give the Punch and Judy a miss until Saturday, when the visitors will begin to arrive? You’re bound to be busy from then on, especially with the August bank holiday coming up on the third.’
‘You don’t need to ask me twice!’ she told him.
Paddy sat where he was told, some way back in the little theatre. He had been warned by Carmen to be quiet. There was no dancing spotlight on stage for rehearsals, but the house lights were on. The guitar strumming began. May, to her mother’s disapproval, was not dressed for dancing. She wore a pair of faded blue box-pleated shorts which Jenny had sorted out from a collection of clothes destined for the next jumble sale, deeming these suitable for a boat trip, and her oldschool blouse. Her hair was tied severely back. May followed her mother’s instructions.
Paddy observed how May had grown in confidence, but with that hairstyle, he thought, she looks very different from when we first met.
‘You will soon be ready for your debut – the audience here will not realize you are a novice. You have the hair right, anyway,’ Carmen said, at the end of the hour.
‘Debut…?’ May sounded uncertain. ‘Well, thank you for the lesson, anyway. We have an errand to run for Jenny now.’
‘Wait a moment, I have a gift for you and your sister. Can you use a camera?’
‘Yes, Dad’s old Brownie. He showed us how to make good pictures. Unfortunately, Pom dropped it one day and the film is jammed inside. Aunt Min said she’d get it mended—’
‘That won’t be necessary now. But you should be the one responsible , not your clumsy sister.’ Carmen handed the box to May. ‘This has a film, ready to use.’
‘Thank you.’ I can take photographs to record our summer season, May thought, pleased. She said aloud, to please Carmen, ‘I must get a picture of you in costume on stage.’
The trip in the rowing-boat across the river was quite an experience . A chain ferry would soon be in place to transport freight as well as folk, but meantime the town was reluctant to lose its ferryman, the last of a long line, with his shaggy beard, twinkling eyes, if rheumy from the wind, ancient cap and fisherman’s smock. The swish of the oars as the boat headed for the far side, the cries of the swooping gulls overhead, the breeze whipping May’s hair free of its constraints, was exhilarating. The boat was packed with passengers , and as they sat shoulder to shoulder on the plank seats, Paddy was able to watch May’s expressive face at close quarters.
All too soon the boat arrived at the mooring, and old Noah, despite his great age, leapt nimbly out and helped them ashore. There were people waiting for the return journey.
‘Back in a while,’ he called, as he made ready to row back.
May and Paddy strolled along to the huts and joined a queue of people with baskets to fill.
Bobby Blowers had a ruddy face, a shock of silver hair and an explosion of a laugh, which caused his big belly to wobble.
The smoked fish looked like washing hanging on lines, and Bobby had a fine selection. ‘On the bone – or does Jenny want me to fillet some for you?’ he asked.
May had to back tactfully out into the fresh air outside the hut while Bobby wrapped the haddock in newspaper. The smell of fish was overpowering, she thought. Paddy lingered to buy some sprats, too, which were packed in a barrel with crushed ice. There was a glut of these tiny fish this summer.
‘Fresh caught early
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