Skywriting by Word of Mouth

John also took me to meet his aunt Mater in Scotland. We had a day off college to hitchhike to Edinburgh, travelling most of the way in an enormous truck with a driver who had clearly exceeded his hours. John and I spent the entire journey trying to keep him awake. When we got there it was pouring with rain and there was no one in at Mater’s house - John hadn’t thought to tell them we were coming. We waited in the doorway of the church across the road, and after a couple of hours Stanley, Mater’s son, arrived. He was delighted to see John, took us in and told us that Mater and Bert were at their croft in the north but would be back the next day.When I was introduced to Mater, we clicked immediately. She was as warm and welcoming as Harrie, and we all talked for hours that night, over a marvellous meal. By the end of our two-day stay I felt I’d joined another family and John was delighted that I’d got on so well with them. It brought us even closer.