A LOT OF PRIDE AND A BIT OF PREJUDICE

Story contd.

Ginny and I travelled home together taking the bus to Manchester from outside the hospital and crossing the city on foot to Moseley Street Bus Station. (Surely it wasn’t named after Oswald?) We discussed what I should wear for the Ball. I thought I would probably have to make do with the white lace inherited from Maddie as I had to find the fare to Oxbridge. Ginny offered to lend me one of hers – she had already borrowed my bridesmaid’s dress – and promised to bring it the next day when we returned to hospital.

Maddie and Paul had been visiting for a few days, so Mum and Dad knew about the invitation and I could see from their faces that something was up. Finally Dad said.

‘Pat we don’t want you go.’

I just could not believe it. After some heated argument and a few tears it transpired that Paul had told my father that Commem Balls were riotous affairs that went on all night and ended up with orgies on the river. Paul was very persuasive – he had already convinced my parents that Maddie should marry him before she had finished college and aged just nineteen. I’m sure he described the Ball more succinctly than that but the gist is there.

When I had calmed down I pointed out that I had been living away from home for almost two years and could have got up to all sorts of mischief for all they knew, but that I hadn’t. Also I was now eighteen, the age that Mum got married and a year younger than Maddie when she got married. All to no avail.

I had always had a very loving, affectionate relationship with my parents – as had Evan and Maddie. I don’t remember them ever hitting me – although it was the norm in those days. My worst punishment was to be sent to bed early. But the one thing I couldn’t bear was my father’s disapproval. We had a special relationship - it was different with Mum. So I had to accept that – unlike Cinders – I shall NOT go to the Ball.

I don’t know which upset me more: the fact that, apparently Dad didn’t trust me or that he had been swayed by a b….y Southerner. There’s the prejudice!
When I told Ginny the next day she was both incredulous and sympathetic. I had to write and tell MTL that unfortunately I now had to refuse his invitation.

I had a letter form Sarah suggesting we should spend our summer holiday together and how did I fancy Scotland. This was a welcome distraction and we arranged to meet to discuss plans. Out of the blue I had a letter from Sean Malloy, Paul’s best man who was at the same college as Paul, inviting me to his Commemoration Ball. When I got over the shock I was angry to discover that this was acceptable to my parents – presumably because he was a friend of Paul’s. Maybe I was prejudiced but this seemed blatant hypocrisy. Pride made me spurn the invitation in spite of MTL pointing out that if I went down at least we would see each other.

A sorry tale and I admit I behaved like a spoilt brat but, please fathers: if you are lucky enough to have a daughter, at least consider trusting her.