“Shouldn’t you be going back home?” Maisy asked Brea.
“No, I’ve just messaged and told mom I would bring you home when you’re ready.”
A hustle of footsteps drew their attention to the pathway; Brea’s brother Brevyn joined the ladies sitting on the grass next to the bench.
“Hi, Granny, Aunty Audrey, Aunty Maisy,” Brevyn said as he sat.
“What you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be at home?” Brea asked.
“Don’t have to be anywhere so I thought I’d be here with my favorite ladies,” Brevyn said smugly.
“You’re such a flirt; gosh don’t you ever stop growing? “Audrey ruffled his hair.
They all sat in silence for a few moments until Brea spoke. “Did Aunty Peggy ever get married?”
“You mean you don’t know, didn’t your mother; Dorothy, did you never tell her the story?” Audrey questioned flabbergasted.
“I never thought it my story to tell,” Dorothy said defiantly.
“Oh pooh Dor, it’s a great love story,” Maisy replied.
“Please tell it, I’ve always wondered, and mom never bothered to get the correct story either. She always told me to ask Granny, but she wouldn’t tell.”
“Sis on you Dor! Well, should we go home and I’ll tell you there or should we stay here?” Audrey asked.
“We can stay here its lovely in the sun,” Brea said lifting her face toward the warm sun.
“Give me a few minutes to remember all the details,” Audrey said staring up at the Weeping Willow tree.
Audrey was about to speak after she had recollected all her memories when they heard the sound of chatter coming up the pathway. Audrey and Maisy’s grandchildren also arrived and sat on the grass after giving the old ladies a kiss on their cheeks.
“Have you also been sent to look for us?” Dorothy asked.
“No, Brea texted us and told us granny is going to tell Aunty Peggy’s love story. It’s such a great love story, so we all decided we wanted to hear it again. We all hopped into my car and dashed over here.” Chenelle, Audrey’s granddaughter, said smiling.
The old ladies in their black outfits sat on the bench in the park, under a Weeping Willow tree surrounded by their grandchildren who were eagerly waiting to hear a great love story.
Audrey took a deep breath and smiled, pleased that even in today’s society of technology their siblings still relished a good ole fashioned love story narrated first-hand. “Get yourselves comfortable now,” she shuffled her position on the bench making herself comfortable. “In 1941 we were barely twenty and at University studying physics. Yes, don’t look so shocked Brea we were very clever girls, but anyhow the war was all over Europe; and even though South Africa had signed the declaration of war in 1939 we were not that involved until our shores became increased targets and ships were being sunk at an increasing rate.”
“Those were such exciting days.” Maisy interrupted Audrey with a giggle.
“Ah, that they were.” Dorothy agreed dreamily.
“Yes indeed, but back to the story, all the able men were called up for active duty, and at this time there was this secret society or division in the Army called the SSS, and they controlled the Radar Stations all along the coasts. Well now with all the men from the Radar Stations leaving to fight in the war except a few qualified operators and technicians, the Defense Force was in a pickle because who would replace the men at the Radar Stations.”
“What has this got to do with Aunty Peggy’s love life?” Brevyn mumbled.
“It has everything to do with everything; Brevyn shoosh and listen.” Dorothy scolded her grandson.
A chorus of “Yes stop interrupting.” came from all the cousins sitting or lying on the grass.