Every Thursday morning June and Marie met for a walk along the seafront, come rain or shine. Only holidays, desperate illness or unavoidable family commitments altered this routine. These arrangements were solid as was their friendship.
They loved the seafront with the small crafts bobbing on the salty sea water, summer or winter each season brought pleasure.
'The water is very clear today,' remarked Marie.
'Also the coast line of Kent,' added June.
'How is Jamie getting on with his new job?' asked June.
'Oh! He loves it,' was the reply. 'I would know if anything was wrong with my Jamie, but he goes to work quite happily; he likes the people in the cycle shop and as you know Jamie has always been mad on bikes.'
'Is Sharon coping o.k. in her new flat,' asked June.
'Oh! Yes!' said Marie proudly, 'She likes being independent, brings her washing home of course and Dave says I shouldn't do it, she should take full responsibility, but I like to. Haven't told Dave I help her out with money as well!' June and Marie shared many thoughts they would prefer not to discuss with their family.
Once the family news was exchanged June asked a very thought provoking question. 'Have you ever thought, Marie, that if there was a terrible disaster in England that wiped 70% of all the women off our land what would all the men do?'
'No I can't say I have; would it make any difference to our lives?'
'Well yes, there would be hoards of men roaming the streets. I expect it would become law that a woman can have more that one husband.'
'The government couldn't do that.' said Marie with a tinge of panic in her voice.
'They could. You can be made to pay a parking fine, work more years to receive a government pension, once something becomes the law . . .' June's voice trailed off thoughtfully.
'But marriages are made in heaven, it's God's law.'
'As far as I know it was a man made arrangement.' said June flatly.
'I just couldn't take another husband; whatever would my children think?' June suspected Sharon was already onto the campaign without there being a crisis but she said nothing.
'Would they be billeted on us like during the war?'
'Well I expect you could volunteer, offer your services if you knew someone in need. You like to chat to Mr Radcliff the widower in your road when he is cleaning his car don't you? That sort of thing.'
'What about the bedroom arrangements, June? We only have two bedrooms and my Jamie is still living at home.'
'Well, you are assuming they are all homeless, most will have their own house but not a woman to make it a home.'
'Will there be an advertising campaign like 'Your country needs You'?'
'Probably but it won't be an old man with a beard, the guy pointing his finger at you will be drop dead gorgeous and we will all volunteer enthusiastically.'
'Will we still go to Sainbury's on Saturdays?'
'I will be going to the beauty parlour for a facial AND pedicure; may even have a massage whilst there.'
Marie gasped, 'That's expensive.'
June smiled, 'Don't forget we will have an extra pay packet coming in.'
They were on the homeward bound part of the journey, the sun was shining and the water was clear and blue and still Kent coast looked very close to the Essex shoreline.
Preparing for bed that night as Marie removed her make-up, rubbed in night cream, wound three lumps of hair round rollers to give her hair height in the morning, she looked across the room at Dave. She smiled affectionately as he snored contentedly. A vision of Mr Radcliff flashed through her mind as she decided to add another layer of night cream.
In the event of a disaster, Marie would be prepared!