Part 31 (1/2)
Hope arrived several minutes later with some flowers.
”These are for you,” she said, when Dorothy opened the door to her.
”Why how lovely, thank you dear.” Hope followed her inside where she met Malcolm for the first time.
”How do you do Mr. Eves,” she said, with a smile that would disarm a terrorist.
He was captivated from the first glance.
”Why I'm just fine my dear, welcome to our home, Tris has told us so much about you.”
The pair of them set off arm in arm for the rear garden, leaving Tris and Dorothy stunned and open-mouthed.
”Well,” Dorothy said, after an extended pause, ”it's easy to see who won that one!”
Tris laughed. ”Isn't she something mom?”
”She certainly is son, yes, she certainly is.”
Tris decided to leave his father and Hope alone, and helped his mom prepare the tea, not something he did very often. Dorothy was pleasantly surprised at the apparent change in him in the last few weeks.
”I will miss you mom,” he said, out of the blue.
”And we'll miss you too son, though I can see you'll have good company on your travels.”
She laughed again, this was a whole new experience for Dorothy, a mixture of joy and sorrow.
”It seems odd that we have not met before Hope, strange how you can live in a small place for so long and still not get to know everybody.”
”Eden is somewhat work dominated,” she answered him, ”perhaps that's something that should change.”
He nodded, agreeing with her, even though he knew he was mainly responsible for their not meeting.
”I think you are very wise my dear, and Tristran will do well to listen to you.”
Now she knew she had made a new friend.
”Does Tris talk about his work much Mr. Eves?”
”Please call me Malcolm, and yes, he talks of little else, well he used to, until he met you!”
She blushed just a little.
”Yes, I've seen changes in him lately, he's becoming a man, and I need to acknowledge that fact.”
Malcolm became quiet and looked thoughtful until...
”Tea's ready.” The dulcet tones of a very happy Tris called out from inside the house. They rose and went inside to eat.
After sitting at the table, Malcolm asked if Hope would say grace.
”Certainly...Dear heavenly Father, I thank you for this family and the food you have provided this day, amen.”
”Amen,” Malcolm added, and began pa.s.sing food around.
Tris just looked on in awe at how she was able to rise to any occasion, and win any heart; she had certainly won his.
When it was time to leave, Malcolm and Dorothy showed Hope to the door.
”Walk your young lady home son,” he said, placing a hand on both their shoulders. ”It's a lovely evening, enjoy yourselves.” The youngsters left, holding hands, and Malcolm turned to Dorothy with a look of total surrender to the young beauty that had won his son's heart. They closed the door and Malcolm put his arm around Dorothy's shoulder as they walked back into the house.
”Let's leave the dishes and go for a walk,” he said, ”love is not just for the young you know.”
Dorothy took his hand and led him out into the garden and away over the fields into the sunset.
Tris was at work early next morning, he was feeling inspired, maybe today would be the day. His favourite corner awaited him, and he settled down with his notes. Roland came in a little later and was busily clattering about not knowing that Tris was there.
”Hi Roly,” Tris called out.
”Oh, sorry Tris, didn't see you there, I'm starting work on the submarine today, must remember not to get phased, it's going to be a big job.”
Tris smiled and became thoughtful.
”What...What did you just say?” Tris said, jumping up.
”It's going to be a big job.”
”No, no, before that.”
”Erm, ah yes, I mustn't get phased, was that it?”
”EUREKA!” Tris screamed, in delight, ”That's it, Roly you've solved it!”
”Really, how's that then?”
Tris didn't wait to reply, he ran off towards the s.h.i.+p as fast as he could. Roland just scratched his head and got down to business.
Tris called Steve from the s.h.i.+p. He was still very excited and was having trouble speaking slow enough to be understood.
”Steve I've done it, well Roly triggered it actually, but it's solved-”