17th September 1961
Sunday
Uncle Bill came round at 12.30 with the news that Gran had had a stroke. Dad and he went off in the car to see to things – like hospital etc. I was due at Alan’s at 3 but I didn’t want to go until Dad got back. We had no idea how serious the stroke was. At 3.30 there was still no sign of Dad and I had to go.
It’s odd really. I wasn’t particularly frantic about Gran – who is Dad’s mum. We had never been that close to her but as soon as I saw Alan and started to tell him why I was so late, I just burst into tears. I was worrying enough to cry about it. It must be the sympathetic protective look he has got about him.
I stayed at his house for dinner with his Dad and brother until his Dad went off to do the night shift at his work. I even helped with the washing up of the dinner things!
Of all things! I am being dragged to a football match tomorrow evening. West Ham v Blackpool. When I told Dad I didn’t want to go he offered to keep Alan company. I was glad and mentioned it to Alan. Dad looked so pleased when Alan invited him along. But I was still expected to go with them.