MAKING A DATE 1964

A BOY AND GIRL AND MAKING A DATE IN 1964.

I see Milka outside the farmhouse
feeding chickens
she's still in her dressing gown
as I ride up the drive
she stops and waves to me

I park my bike against the fence
and walk towards her

Mum's out
Milka says
Dad's on the farm
the brothers are out
on a shoot for dosh

I look at her standing there
forget to dress?
I say
or is nightwear
the new fashion?

I got up late
and Dad asked me
to feed the hens
and I thought I’d best do it
before I forgot again
she says

the hens peck around her
making hens sounds

want a drink of coffee?
she says

sure
I say

so she throws the last
of the chicken feed at them
and we go inside the farmhouse
and she puts the kettle
on the hob and gets two
mugs down from a cupboard
and spoons coffee
into each one

what if your mum comes in now
and sees you in your nightwear
and me here too?
I say

so what?
she says

just saying that's all
I say

she sighs and looks
out the window
I’m on
she says

on what?
I say

she stares at me
you know the scourge
the big bleed
or auntie's here
or whatever
she says moodily

o right
I say
falling into what she means
shame that is
I say
sitting in a chair
by the kitchen table

the whistle on the kettle sounds
and she pours water
into the two mugs

milk? sugar?
she says
in a moody voice

milk and one sugar
I say

she plonks sugar
into my mug
and tips milk
from a white jug
into both mugs
and puts my mug
on the table
and her own mug
on the table
and sits facing me

where we going?
she says

no where dressed
as you are
I say

when I'm dressed?
she says

we could go to the flicks
and see that Elvis film
I say

she pulls a face
boring sitting at the back
necking and kissing
with others
she says

what then?
I say

she sips her coffee
and looks at me
could go to the seaside
she says
get a bus

I sip my coffee
and stare at her
ok if you want
I say

but I’ve no money
she says
and Mum'll not lend me any
as I owe her money already

so what then?
I say

I don't know
she says
looking at her mug
and holding it
with both hands

you could come to my place
and play records
and lay on my bed
and listen to the music
I say

what about your parents
won't they mind me
being there and in your room?
she says

nothing is going
to happen is it
so why worry?
I say

she sighs and sips her drink
I guess so
she says

and after she's finished her drink
she goes off to dress.