Frank grinned broadly and lifted Margaret up in his arms.
“You take such good care of me, wee wifey.”
“An’ noo ye kin put me doon, Frank. Gie an’ eat yer dinner afore it gits caud.” She shooed him to the table.
“Did you hear? Winston Churchill lost his MP seat. Dundee was taken by a Prohibitionist and the Labour Party. Strange times, Margaret…strange times.”
“Ah dinnae follow politics, Frank. But did ye ken tha’ the butcher cut his arm an’ closed th’ shop fer th’ week?”
Frank scooped up the last of the mashed potatoes topping the chopped lamb and onion hash beneath them.
“Wonderful, lass. Really delicious.” He pushed the plate away.
“I hear that Lochgelly Coal and Iron is looking for a turner. They are paying two pounds eight a week. I think I might go up and apply… I think it can’t be much different than turning golf club heads.”
“Tha’ wuld be a nice raise, Frank! But ’tis a bit further awa’.”
“For a higher wage, I will make the trip. I hope Mr. White thinks to give me a good recommendation if he’s asked. It’s supposed to rain all night. Chances are the mine will be shut down tomorrow. I’ll go to Lochgelly in the morning.”
“If ye think it’s fer th’ best, Frank.” Margaret busied herself with cleaning the table, then the dishes, and then the clothes.
Frank sat down next to the radio he had recently purchased and, pulling out a pipe, started to listen to the 5MG broadcast from Glasgow – the first radio station in Scotland, only three months old. Frank was obsessed with this newfangled radio and never missed an evening.
“Margaret, do you want to come listen?”
“Frank, ye ken ah’ve cleanin’ tae dae. Mebbie efter ah’m done.” Margaret was scrubbing Frank’s work clothes on the washboard. She rinsed them, wrung them, and hung them on the drying rack by the cast iron stove. By the time she had finished her chores, the station had signed off for the evening.
Frank turned off the radio and glanced up at the pendulum clock on the wall. “Nine o’clock. Are you about ready for bed, my bonnie lass?” He got up, walked over to Margaret, pulled her close, and gave her a kiss. His hand wandered down her back, and as it rested on her behind, he pulled her even closer. “I’ve some business I would like to attend to,” he whispered in her ear.
Margaret smiled and untied her apron. Hanging it on a peg near the scullery, she headed towards the stairs and held out her hand. Frank took it, and the two headed upstairs.
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