Friday

Today I had to leave Alan for the first time since we were married.  It felt really strange!  We caught buses which left at the same time from Rivers Corner and were sitting in the back seats of our respective buses waving and waving as they parted.  I felt near to tears as if we were parting forever.

Alan was going to East Ham to collect some things from his old home and then on to Dagenham to be there when the delivery driver came to pick up the wedding presents and various items of furniture that the parents said I could have. I was on my way to the new house to supervise all the comings and goings that were due to happen today.

The first to arrive was the gas cooker, minus fitters.  I was sitting around for about an hour waiting for something else to happen.  The fitters came next and while they were still here the electricity men came so they were all trying to get into the cupboard at once.  I was enjoying myself immensely.  Everyone was in a grand old mood.

When they had gone I ate the sandwiches Vera had made for me.  I couldn’t wait to use the gas stove so I toasted them.

The Harrison Gibson van arrived just before 3 o’clock.  I was rather worried because I had expected Alan to be back by then and I hadn’t any money to pay them.  (Alan had promised them a tip for bringing the extra stuff.)  There was an awful lot of stuff.  The two men were in and out for ages.

Mum told us afterwards that the men were astounded because Alan had told them half-a-dozen boxes but as well as lots of boxes (more than half-a-dozen) there was my dressing table and my bed.  Mum finally persuaded them to take it when she said ‘they’ve just got married and they haven’ t got much money.’  At first she was rather dubious about letting it go as we hadn’t warned her they were coming.  But Alan arrived and confirmed it was alright.

Alan got back to Hullbridge before they had finished so he helped them bring in the bed (marking the wall in the process).  He had paid them £1 each at Dagenham so I needn’t have worried.

Once everything was unloaded we didn’t have much time for anything else.  We put the lamp shades up and Alan drilled holes for the curtain rods then we went back to Vic and Vera’s house.

Vic and Vera have been marvellous to us.  I haven’t mentioned before that they had given us some things they don’t need anymore.  A radio, a heater and an expensive but old carpet which had been in their loft.  All the extras that go towards  making a house into a home.

After dinner we told them that we would like to move into the house that night if we could.  Vic tried to get us to stay but I think he realised we wanted to get into our own house as soon as possible.  We packed up all our belongings and Vic drove us to Hullbridge.

By about 9.30pm everything was in place and I had made a cup of tea which we drank sitting on the floor.  Vic left with many grateful thanks showered upon him.  We were left alone for the first time in our married life.  It was a wonderful feeling!

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