...A brace of swans followed them near the bank, cavorting and circling, billing and rubbing their necks, ducking under the willows. Their branches and twigs splintered the sunlight, stippling the water all along the river. Everything was expectant, new, ready to begin life afresh.
The willows and river reminded them of Kenneth Grahame and his descriptions in "The Wind in the Willows", and they talked about their favourite parts. They were children again, delighting in old memories when they'd first read the book. A water rat shimmied across the river
in front of them. "There he goes!" said John pointing to it excitedly. "Old Ratty!"...
Young John Illingworth becomes good friends with Miriam Leff.
John Waddington-Feather continues his engrossing story of the Illingworths, a Yorkshire mill-owning family.
Continue reading "Chance Child, Part Two - 40" »