The Summer of '93

More parent meeting

Ali got the train back to Edinburgh. I retrieved my car and drove home again. 

"Oh so you're home!" Mum stated the obvious. "How was it?"

"Time went very quickly to be honest. I took him to Yorvik Viking centre."

"Did he end up drunk again?"

"I introduced him to Old Peculier Mum. It was good to be in York. It's been a while. Every time I go it becomes more expensive, the parking gets less, the tourist shops get tackier and the streets are more crowded."

Since then Ali had returned to Berlin. I was missing him and there was no phone call so I went into town and bought the video of 'Jungle Book'. I felt like such a big kid buying it. When I was about nine, Dad used to read it to me at bedtime as well as 'Arabian Nights'. The latter book was so beautifully illustrated and I loved the gold edging and tissue paper protective inserts. It was old and the aroma of the book confirmed it. I also went to buy an answerphone which could record our phone calls so I could play his voice back when I was lonely and missing him. The one I really wanted had been discontinued and they hadn't got the other one in stock. Typical!

I wrote him a letter. I continued.

"Hey just think about this time last week, we were curled up in bed with wine and a cold Chinese, sat in the corner after losing room keys! Oh to be back there again! It's amazing how quickly I've got used to you being around, making life better and then we're apart. Six more weeks to wait...roll on.

I rang my Father the other evening. I was thinking back to what you said. I am sorry you were a little disappointed. Like I said to you, he's very easy going and I told you he wouldn't give you the 'third degree'! He's the total opposite of my Mum. I asked Dad how much I am worth to him and he said he's open to offers but £3.80 is reasonable. He was asking me about you and was surprised to hear you were in Berlin. I told him that you were expecting the "what are your intentions towards my daughter?" He laughed. I suppose he is so aloof is because he trusts me and respects my wishes. However I guess it would be healther if the Father role was there, even though it would get in the way. It's a symptom of caring isn't it?

By the way, remember the paper you left in the car? There's a job I must apply for. It's in Edinburgh in the Scottish Office courts. Keep your fingers crossed! I am also going to ask Karen if there's anything at the Council.

Anyway I hope you understand how much I love you and how happy you make me. Mum was saying she could hear us chatting away and how happy I sounded. I really miss you! She later gave me a hard time, bending my ear. Before you get worried, it's nothing against you. It's just her pessimism pouring through. She thinks you enjoy being with the 'boys' more and would be out drinking with them. She was also talking about your expectations of my Father. I wish I would learn not to give her ammunition! It's true that we do have different backgrounds but I don't think it would cause problems would it? When you said the other day about having to work away if I had been married. I really thought I'd lost you. It brought it home to me how I feel about you and it would be so upsetting.

I wonder if it would be possible for me to fly to Berlin for a weekend? Maybe the 19th November or 26th? It would be a fun thing to do and it's a long time till I see you again in December. If I had thought of it sooner, I could have taken time off. Just think of all the havoc we could create together there?! We could hire a car and discover the bits of Germany you never knew existed! I'd rather see the sights of Ali McGregor; I could imagine that would be the case in practice! Well it's just an idea. Take good care of yourself and write soon!

All my love,

Your Meggy x

Ps. This weekend I'm playing Taxi for Mum. We'll be driving each other around the bend.
Pps.I've got you a little something for Christmas. I am dying to give it to you - I know you will love it. I know we will need all our money for our hol-jollies so save your Money. Make sure you do and you will get rewarded. I was thinking about buying a video camera for our hols but I haven't made up my mind. What do you think? I may hire one to get used to using one. All my love from me. A big slobbery wet one all over your body!