Free Stay as Sweet as You Are by Joan Jonker Page A

‘Ye’re still as pretty as ever. I swear yer look younger every time I come home. Give us a kiss.’
    They hugged for a while, then Aggie whispered in his ear, ‘I’d better put the dumplings in before the stew burns dry.’
    ‘What! Dumplings as well!’ Titch gently set her down. ‘Anyone would think yer were glad to see me.’
    ‘And they wouldn’t be far wrong, son, I’m over the moon.’ Aggie pushed the sleeves of her dress up. ‘Let’s get this dinner on the go, ye’re probably starving.’ She turned at the kitchen door. ‘Where’s yer bag?’
    ‘I dropped it in the hall in me haste to feast me eyes on yer.’
    ‘Well, get yer dirty clothes out and I can put them in the tub to steep overnight.’
    Titch leaned against the door jamb. ‘There’s no need, Ma, yer can do that tomorrow.’
    For a brief second, Aggie felt a stab of sadness. He had all the mannerisms of Les, right down to the way he walked, held his head, and even his lopsided grin. He had the samemop of brown hair, too, and blue eyes. But he was taller than his father had been, and broader. And his face was weather-beaten with being at sea for so long, out in all weathers. She shook her head to dispel the memories. ‘Do it now, son, so I’m not rushing to get them washed and ironed at the last minute.’
    There was a smile on her son’s face as he watched for her reaction to what he had to say. ‘Ma, I’m home for two and a half weeks. So yer’ve got all the time in the world.’
    Aggie’s mouth gaped. ‘If you’re having me on, I’ll break yer bleedin’ neck for yer.’
    ‘Scout’s honour, Ma, I’m home for eighteen days. And with being away such a long time, with nothing to spend me wages on, I’ve got quite a bit saved up. So I’ll take yer into town tomorrow and treat yer to whatever takes yer fancy. Yer can have anything yer like, the sky’s the limit.’
    ‘I don’t want nothing, son, having yer home is treat enough for me.’ Then the mother in her came out. ‘And don’t yer be carrying a load of money around with yer, either. If I know you, yer’ll be treating everyone in the bleedin’ pub. Throwing yer money around like a man with no flaming hands.’
    ‘I’m not that soft, Ma, it’s got to last me until I sail again. And I want to see you’re all right when I leave. So I’ll just mug me mates, George and Bob, and that’s about it, apart from a few pennies for the kids. Does that meet with your approval?’
    ‘I’m not a miser, son, and I’ll help anyone out if they’re stuck. But yer should be putting some money aside in case yer ever need it. One of these days yer might meet a girl, fall in love and want to settle down. And yer’ll need money to do that.’
    There was a smile on her son’s face as he watched her lift two plates down from the shelf that ran the length of the kitchen wall. ‘Ma, it’s true what they say about a sailor having a girl in every port, yer know. It’s not that I’ve never had me chances, ’cos to tell the truth I’ve been spoilt forchoice. I’ve had plenty of flings, because being a red-blooded man I do like the ladies. But I’ve never met one who I could fall head over heels in love with. One who I would want to spent the rest of me life with. So ye’re stuck with me, Ma, because I’ve not come across one yet that can hold a candle to yer.’
    Aggie tutted. ‘Go ’way, yer daft ha’porth. Sit yerself down and stop yapping to me, or I’ll be burning the backside out of this pan.’
    Half an hour later, Titch pushed his empty plate away and rubbed his tummy. ‘The captain would have a very happy crew if the ship’s cook could make dumplings like you. The ones he makes are so heavy I’m surprised the blinking ship hasn’t sunk by now.’
    ‘Ah, well, there’s a knack to it, yer see.’ Aggie nodded knowingly. ‘He probably puts too much suet in them. Tell him I said to just put half the amount in that he usually does, and see how they turn