Parallel Me

Parallel Me Part 25

Dad was up and had breakfast he seemed better today, more alert and with it or so I thought, but as I was peeling the potatoes, he came in smiling and asked.

"When's dinner Joseph, I've got to meet mum at two don't want to be late, she's found a wonderful place, and we're going there this afternoon, she came this morning and told me to be ready." I didn't want to do this, he and mum had brought us all up with love, I didn't want to abandon him, to a home for unstable people. I had come home to care for them, now I was contemplating locking him up. All I could do right now was hummer him, I would go and see Alice this afternoon, if I took dad with me, he might start talking about seeing mum in front of Alice. She didn't think he was that bad, and I had to make sure of it myself. We had dinner at one, and I did the dishes and put them away, then made him a cup of tea, and took it through to him.

He wasn't there he had gone to meet mum, I sat looking at his smiling face for a while, before going next door, to ask Janet if I use her phone. I got through to Roger and told him, then Jeanette and Dorothy. Then I rang dad's doctor at his home, and he said he would arrange what was needed. Alice and Roger arrived, then Dorothy with Harold and Jeanette with Len. We just sat holding hands, until the police coroner arrived. Then when they had gone I was alone, I cried and felt lost, my whole world had changed, I no longer had a purpose in life, just I and I had nowhere to go no one to tend too. I rang the milk factory and told the shift manager, I wouldn't be in over the next week, Monday I went to the housing office. I had to report his death, and they told me I had six weeks to vacate the property, the house was rented to dad, I was not entitled to live there.

I spent two hours with Alice, being comforted by her. She would speak to Roger and give me a room with them, I didn't disagree with her, not then, but my mind was working on another outcome. I had been out of the Navy for five weeks, and things weren't going to plan, I had an open ticket to return to my old life if I accepted five-year reenlistment. My old rank would go with it, and the security of a full and rewarding job. Alternately, I had a letter from Australia house, asking if I was still considering emigrating down under, as there was still a berth on the ship leaving in just a month's time.

The agent I had seen in Portsmouth had submitted a glowing commendation in my favour. Should I wish to emigrate, I would be accepted with my job skills, without a guaranteed position to go too, as they thought it unlikely I wouldn't get employment. I was also being offered emigration, under the United Kingdom and Australia governments assisted passage scheme. Alice didn't like any of my proposed plans, instead, she had plans of her own, when I went to see her, on Tuesday afternoon, and she told me them, as I started playing with Josephine.

"You're going to work for us; Robin has contacts in the government, he's made inquiries and said he can get your restricted travel rescinded if you work for a firm doing government work. Robin's medical business has government contracts, so your working for us JJ, and that's it I'm not arguing with you. Robin will be here tomorrow and will bring all the relevant information and the three contracts for you to sign, one for each company, you can travel anywhere in the world, for anyone one of them." I captured Josephine and made her laugh, then let her go so I could chase her again, then looking at Alice I asked.

"Oh do I have a say in this Alice, I mean when I speak to him will I be able to say yes or no?" I asked.

"Oh you won't see him tomorrow JJ you won't be here, remember you don't see me on Wednesdays. Robin will be here with Sandra at nine-thirty with the papers, they won't leave until three." Alice said smiling.

"O I thought Robin was coming here tomorrow, to see if he can get me to sign up?" I asked as I chased Josephine around on my knees.

"JJ I do believe you're being jealous again, and no he not coming here, to get you on our payroll. He is coming here to get me on my bed, which he and Sandra like to do, thank you very much." She said smiling and defiant, just to let me know I had no sway in the matter.