Inspirational English, Issue 42, Jan/Feb 2018 Inspirational English, Issue 42, Jan Feb 2018 | Page 43

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and his wife and children then I heard her she paused to give me that re-assuring
call out to me: “Peter! … gee me a hand wi smile again realising what she was saying
the coats will ya!” a command I instantly was a little unusual “ yer fifteen now and …
responded to, an eagerness totally founded well … yer a man as far as a´m concerned
in my love for her. After the joyous and …” she paused again “a want you tae
greetings of Davie and Maisie and their two be oor first fit … when the bells come … a
lovely twin daughters I was now in the think you´ll … “
bedroom of my Nana´s three youngest “Oh my god Nana” spilled out of me, and
sons, Ronnie, Robert and Harry carefully not realising I´d interrupting her added
placing the four coats on the large double “Me!! Yer first fit! … oh my god Nana!!”
bed my uncles shared for sleeping. With She smiled her full face smile that not only
the task now complete I went to leave when told me this incredible offer was real, but
I saw my Nana tapping the bed next to her that I would do a good job of being the first
and saying “come on son … hae a wee person to knock on her door at the sound of
seat next tae yer Nana” an offer I leapt at, the twelfth bell and be welcomed by
sitting next to her always meant I´d be everyone inside. I jumped up not knowing
getting one of her wonderful cuddles. As why, but for sure it was out of sheer joy and
magical as it was feeling the comforting excitement “sit back down a wee minute
warmth of my grandmother´s embrace, I Peter” she said assertively before taking
recall being a little anxious as it was so rare my hands again and smiling that smile “I
for her to do anything that resembled want this to be our secret … well … more
stopping when her children and their like a surprise for everybody” she chuckled
children were in the house, and even more “especially fir yer muther ´n faither!” she
especially as it was New Year’s Eve. chuckled again then stood up and added “
Clearly sensing my tension she took my you have a wee sit for a minute as a´d
hand and gave me a smile that instantly better get back to things … come ´n see
assured me everything was going to be me after … a´ll be in the kitchen a´d
alright then said “you’re a fine laddie Peter expect” she patted my shoulder “ a´ll get ye
… look at ye!” she gestured for me to stand a wee snifter if ye fancy … eh? … calm yer
up “ your yer mother´s wee laddie … but nerves ” I looked up at her and more
look at ye! … yer a man!” she patted the calmly than I felt said “ aye … nae bother
bed again “come on … sit back doon n´ Nana … nae bother.”
gee yer Nana a wee cuddle,” and so I was As she opened the bedroom door she
treated to another glorious helping of my heard a knock on the front door “ah! that´ll
grandmothers love. be yer muther and faither and the girls,
As we broke from the embrace she again that’s everybody here now!” she added as
took my hands and said rather purposefully she walked out before instantly returning
“ I´ve got something I want ye to do for me and saying through that wonderful smile “
a wee bit later Peter, something I´ve are ye awright son?” before interrupting
thought a lot about over the last few days,” herself and adding ” auch! a´ course ye
“First Footing” by Peter Taylor
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