Tuesday’s Child Is Full of Grace. Part 9

Parenthood. By May Vincent.

How we left things last time:

It was unfortunate that we were without “wheels” when Ron’s brother Bill came to stay for a week in May, prior to emigrating to Canada. Ron did collect his new car, a brand-new Standard 8, on the morning of the day of Bill’s afternoon departure, so at least we managed to drive him and his baggage to the Quay in comfort. He had booked a passage with The Donaldson Line and my Dad who had come with us, recognised the Captain and had a word requesting special attention for Bill throughout the voyage. Once Bill had passed through Immigration/Customs Ron hurried back to work, while Dad and I, by bus, made for a vantage point down-river on the northern landing-stage of Govan Ferry, in time to watch the ship being piloted through the narrow channel of the upper reaches and to wave to Bill on deck until we could discern him no more—I with a prayer on my lips for this young 24-year-old venturing into the unknown, 3,000 miles away. That evening, in a bid to help run-in the new car, Ron and I took a spin along the Bonnie Banks of the Clyde, as far as Helensburgh and the widening Estuary, but we saw no sign of the liner carrying Bill—she had passed the Tail of the Bank and was already plying Atlantic waters.