GRANDPARENTS
Prompt - Grandparents : Write about a moment in your grandparent's life.
"The both ae us?!"
"Aye, that's how it is. They're no bothered who it is. It's naw like they'd ever give ony thocht tae the likes o us."
She wouldn't cry. She wouldn't show emotion. That was her creed and she wouldn't want to give 'them' the satisfaction anyway. But on top of hearing she'd been told she was no longer required in the market, now she learned that Harry had been given the same message.
They both knew that that Fishmarket had been overstaffed, as Newhaven's importance declined, the fishing moved further and further north, and there was less to be carted about the place, less gutting to do, less of everything. But to have it happen to the both of them on the same day - that was hard to bear. Yet bear it they would, because that was who they were. Jimmy and Liston were bringing in a wage now, Nan could be soon. Chrissie would be leaving the school next year, and wee Harry the year after. They would manage. Harry would have to find work in the docks over in leith, while she could surely find somebody needing a cleaner?
They walked the short distance back home. The younger children were already home. She carefully removed the old fishwives outfit she used, the traditional garb of the village women, all stripes and voluminous folds and practical enough for the work she had to do. Had had to do. She wondered if she'd ever wear it again.
Her final paypacket, and Harry's, for at least he wasn't a drinker like her father, went into the tin. She counted what they had. With a bit from Jimmy and Liston they'd have enough to see out the month, maybe a bit more. By then she'd have fund something, anything, to bring in some pennies. It was what she was for.
She set about getting the tea ready.
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