Inheritance

Chapter Thirty-three. An Unexpected Invitation.

Chapter Thirty-three 

An Unexpected Invitation 

The following Monday, John, as usual left his digs at eight fifteen. He was alone. Dave was still in bed, felled by a terrible cold. Norman still hadn't returned from his weekend visit to Luton.

Struggling up the steep slope of Brocco Bank, on his way to University, he spotted a woman walking a dog, coming towards him. Not just any dog - it was a bullmastiff. John felt an urge to cross the road, to avoid the encounter, but it was impossible in the rush hour traffic. He stepped aside, to let them pass. The powerful dog stopped, and despite the urgent pleas of his owner, proceeded to nuzzle John in the groin. Convinced he had found a friend, the dog reared on its hind legs, placed its front paws on John's shoulder, and looked directly at him. The dog had the saddest eyes. He could have been Kaiser.  

"Down boy, down boy," cried the frantic owner, tugging mightily on the dog's leach. The mastiff obeyed. "I'm so sorry sir. He only does that with people he knows."

"What's his name?" asked John. 

"Churchill." 

Occasionally John experienced bouts of deep sadness, triggered by such incidents. Not so often now, as there was so little to remind him of Sheila, in Sheffield. He knew it would be different when he returned to Ulverston for the Christmas holiday. He had decided not to work the post. The thought of walking up the drive at Broadlands was just too much.  

The rest of the day was an unmitigated disaster, the morning lectures could have been in Swahili, and he left the afternoon lab early, completely frustrated in his attempts at glass blowing. He just didn't have the fine motor skills required. On returning to digs he was greeted at the door by Mrs. Billings." 

"I think we might have something very special here ,Jonathan," she said, grinning as she waved a pink envelope in his face.  

John grabbed the envelope. It was scented and postmarked Ulverston. He didn't recognize the handwriting but the smell seemed vaguely familiar. Intrigued he opened the flap and removed the contents - three invitations. 

Mr. and Mrs. Gregson 

                                                     Are pleased to invite ____________________ 

To the 21st Birthday Celebration of their son,John Gregson. 

To be held in Pennington Memorial Hall 

Saturday November 25th at 7.00p.m. 

R.S.V.P. in the enclosed envelope. 

John looked at the envelopes. He recognized the address 

122 Kilner Park, 

Ulverston, 

Lancashire. 

The home of Rachel Atkinson!