Joe attracted a considerable amount of female attention as he walked through the Croydon streets. His fair hair, toned body and Celtic features made him a handsome young man and his smile alone left many young girls wanting more. They were too late though.. Two years earlier he had literally bumped into the girl he was to fall in love with. He was running to catch a trolley bus and almost knocked over a petite young teenager. He missed the bus but made a date with her to meet outside the Roxy picture house that evening. When Olive Dyer arrived home from work that day, she announced to her family that she had met the man she was going to marry. Her family smiled – she was sixteen years of age.

It was to Olive’s family home that Joe was now heading. The thirty minute walk gave him time to think over the argument that had just taken place at his own home. It was his mother he felt for. He had stopped respecting his father long ago. Michael Farrell thought nothing of lifting his fists to his wife, let alone his children. “I don’t even like him, let alone love him” mused Joe. Father O’ Connell would have a field day if I went to confession with that he thought.

As he turned into the street where Olive lived, his face broke into a smile. This was the effect Olive had on him. He had asked her to marry him some months earlier and she had accepted without hesitation. In fact she said “yes” before he had even finished the question. This was followed by Olive running home shouting “Joe and I are getting married”. Her father rose from his fireside seat when she ran into the kitchen, followed by a sheepish looking Joe.

“Would have been respectful for you to have my permission before all and sundry knowing” he remarked.

“Well, I know that” Joe had stammered “ but Olive didn’t give me a chance, she said yes and …”

Olive’s father laughed “I know my Olive” he grinned. She would have said “yes” to you from the first day you met. Of course you have my blessing Joe. It will make us proud to have you as a son-in-law.”

Joe shook his hand and thanked him. “And I shall be proud to be a member of this family” he replied.

As Joe approached Olive’s home, he thought of the sharp contrast between this family and his own. This house was tranquil. It was not just because the family had less members than his own, but it was full of chatter, banter and love. There was love in his own, especially from Frances, but everybody lived in fear of Michael’s return from work or the pub.

Olive was watching for Joe from the front parlour window. She had not seen him for four weeks. The furniture factory Joe worked for in Croydon had relocated to South Wales three months earlier and Joe had been offered a managerial job if he moved with them. The wages were good, which meant that he could save more money for the wedding and could also give some to his mother who was constantly struggling to make ends meet. Both Frances and Olive missed him terribly. The only consolation for Frances was that she would not have to witness the arguments between her oldest son and his father, whilst the prospect of an early wedding kept Olive’s spirits up. Every four weeks Joe would leave Wales and hitch various lifts to get him back to South London, leaving Friday evening and setting off back after Sunday lunch..

Olive came running from the house when she saw Joe. Joe lifted her up in his arms and twirled her around before standing her in front of him and kissing her long and hard. Michael Farrell would have been horrified at such displays of affection, let alone in public but Olive’s family were used to these monthly reunions. Olive’s two sisters had to be dragged away from the window by their mother. Joe buried his face in Olive’s freshly washed hair which tumbled past her shoulders. He held her close to him for a few more minutes wishing they were married and he could whisk her off to bed. How was he to tell her that ht wedding may have to be delayed a little instead of being brought forward.

The two young lovers went for a walk around the park after tea. It was quite a grand example, with a bandstand, glorious flower beds and a large duck pond. When there, they could almost forget the nightly bombings over Croydon airfield and the surrounding suburbs.

They sat on a bench watching a family feeding the ducks’ bread which had seen better days. All forms of life seemed to suffer during a war it seemed to Joe. Olive chatted away about a month’s worth of family happenings, her job, and her married sister’s forthcoming baby. Joe enjoyed listening to Olive’s accounts of local gossip. She was a good raconteur and added her own amusing quips, which made Joe chuckle. Knowing the wedding plans would soon be the topic, Joe decided to forestall her and let her know what he had decided.