DOLL'S TEA PARTY 1956

A BOY AND GIRL IN LONDON IN 1956 AND A DOLL'S TEA PARTY

Do you want to come
to my doll's tea party?
Janice asked

I wasn't keen
but looked at her
as we sat on the grass
by Banks House
Easter holidays
warm morning

who'll be there?
I asked

well Teddy will be there
and Miss Woolworth
and Golly of course
and maybe that doll
Gran got me
from the jumble sale
with one eye

I looked over
at the coal wharf
coal men were loading up
their horse drawn wagons
or lorries

I guess I could
I said

(Janice had no brother
or sister and apart
from her gran
had few friends)

o good
she said
I'll tell Gran
and maybe
we can have real cakes
and tea in little teacups
and I have a KitKat
we can share
she added

what time?
I said

maybe tomorrow
after lunch
she said

sure
I said
I'll be there
(not my usual haunt
be aware)

I unscrewed a bottle
of lemonade I got
from the greengrocer guy
and took a gulp

want a drink?
I asked

she nodded
so I passed her
the bottle
and she wiped the top
on the edge
of her skirt
and sipped a mouthful
or two then passed me
back the bottle

very fizzy
she said
bubbles got up my nose

I gulped more
(I didn't wipe the top
it was only
her mouth after all)
then put the bottle down
on the grass

she looked at me
and said
best be going
as Gran said not
to be late for dinner

ok
I said

and watched her go
over the fence
and along Bath terrace
and out of sight

I sighed about
the doll's party
but I mused
it may be all right

and watched the coal man
on a horse drawn wagon
go past
trotting slow
not getting
anywhere fast.