posted by sooyup
on
Courting days
[Monday, 20th April, 1959] Could not see Emma on Saturday as my cousin Joan was getting married. As usual it was a grand affair with the reception at the Railwaymen’s Club. Auntie May had said Emma was welcome to come, but I didn’t even think about it. The O’Donnell girls’ weddings are the stuff of legend in Garston. The previous three had ended in street-fighting. Joan’s went one better, with the arrest of the bridegroom Harold. Joan, who looked butter-wouldn’t-melt demure in her white bridal gown, had a sticking-plaster on her arm. The best man, who should have known better and maybe did, playfully (?) ripped of the plaster to reveal a tattoo - the name of one of Joan’s former lovers. And one of many, by all accounts, one or two of whom were present. Harold failed to see the funny side, and after a deal of pushing and shoving, the fisticuffs started in earnest. The police were called, and Harold spent his wedding-night in the bride-well. Joan refused to be comforted by the best man and went back home with Auntie May. And to think, I missed all this because Dad had insisted we leave early “just in case”.
[Monday, 20th April, 1959] Could not see Emma on Saturday as my cousin Joan was getting married. As usual it was a grand affair with the reception at the Railwaymen’s Club. Auntie May had said Emma was welcome to come, but I didn’t even think about it. The O’Donnell girls’ weddings are the stuff of legend in Garston. The previous three had ended in street-fighting. Joan’s went one better, with the arrest of the bridegroom Harold. Joan, who looked butter-wouldn’t-melt demure in her white bridal gown, had a sticking-plaster on her arm. The best man, who should have known better and maybe did, playfully (?) ripped of the plaster to reveal a tattoo - the name of one of Joan’s former lovers. And one of many, by all accounts, one or two of whom were present. Harold failed to see the funny side, and after a deal of pushing and shoving, the fisticuffs started in earnest. The police were called, and Harold spent his wedding-night in the bride-well. Joan refused to be comforted by the best man and went back home with Auntie May. And to think, I missed all this because Dad had insisted we leave early “just in case”. 
