Nothing is Forever Read Free Page B

she faced. But that reminder didn’t make anticipation of the silent, empty house and the lonely days ahead any easier to bear. She shivered as she reminded herself of the few friends she had. Apart from Henry the people she knew were friends of Tommy and Bryn.
    It had been such a shock to learn that the arrangements were all made. Toni hadn’t said a word until everything was in place. She’d have expected to deal with it as she had with Geraint and Emrys and Bryn. It hadn’t given her time to become accustomed to the idea of them leaving. Tommy marrying and moving out at the same time as Bryn and Brenda was the biggest shock. She thought that Tommy, like the others would have stayed at home for a while until they could afford to move out.
    She kept telling herself that when they returned from honeymoon in Aberaeron, Tommy and Toni wouldn’t be coming back, they wouldn’t expect her to be waiting with their rooms ready and a meal prepared, but she still didn’t believe it, the thought was too distressing. At least Tommy and Bryn wouldn’t be separated, and she ought to be thankful for that. Besides, this being first time away from the family home and into their own places, she’d be needed, specially as all four were working.
    ‘Hi, Sis,’ Bryn said, as he helped himself to a piece of the fatless sponge cake she was about to take into the living-room. ‘Thanks for everything you’ve done. Toni and our Tommy are very grateful.’
    The word ‘grateful’ was hurtful. It was too formal, the sort of thing he’d say to a stranger who had done some kind deed. But she forced a smile. ‘It’s been a pleasure, Bryn, you know that. I’ve only done for Tommy and Toni what I did for the rest of you.’
    ‘You will be all right, won’t you?’ Brenda asked, walking in behind him. ‘I know you’ll find it strange, the four of us going, we’ve been such a noisy houseful.’
    ‘Of course. I’ll be fine.’
    Tommy came in then and sat at the large pine table where so many meals had been eaten, the family filling the place with chatter, and arguments and laughter – she particularly remembered the laughter.
    ‘Anyway,’ she went on, ‘Aunty Blodwen is staying for a few days next week, and until then I’ll be so busy clearing everything away after you lot, I won’t miss you at all. And you’ll be back at the end of the week. And Bryn and Brenda will be popping in until then.’
    The brothers glanced at each other. ‘No, they won’t,’ Tommy said. ‘They’re coming with us.’
    ‘On your honeymoon?’ She laughed then. ‘I can’t believe you are all going to Aberaeron together. It’s your honeymoon,’ she said with emphasis. ‘How were you persuaded to invite two more along?’
    ‘Easy; it’s a walking holiday and Bryn’s better at map-reading.’
    ‘I give up on you two,’ Ruth said, with her first genuine laugh for days.

    The party was getting louder with extra guests still arriving, some invited and others with the excuse of bringing a gift or a card. Music was played on the gramophone for dancing in the large living-room. Ruth left them and went upstairs to start sorting out the chaos caused by the preparations for the wedding. Tommy’s room was a mess. It had been used by Tommy and Toni to change out of their wedding clothes into casual attire ready to leave on their honeymoon. Besides clothes strewn across the bed and in heaps on the floor, there were torn and crumpled pieces of wrapping paper and string, cards opened and abandoned. Spilled make-up made crazy patterns on the window sill. She sighed with a mixture of despair and almost humorous acceptance. Her family certainly kept her busy: at least, it had until today, when everything would suddenly and frighteningly change.
    Her other two brothers, Geraint and Emrys had stayed the previous night with their wives Hazel and Susan. In Emrys’s and Susan’s room, again clothes were thrown carelessly over the bed and an assortment of make-up