NORMAN AND NINA.

“Sit down now girls and not too much noise now. My Bobby’s trying to sleep”.

“We promise”,

Norma said as she and Nina sat down to tea together and then went off to bed. It’d been a sad day but now Mrs. Carter said they could stay with her at least for the foreseable future they were less unhappy.

“Did you know Nina he told me all about his life at sea? I bet he didn’t tell you all his secrets”.

“Of course he did! He went out with me long after he had finished with you. He had lots of girls not just us. He always said so but he never married any of them. Said it’d take more than a woman to lure him from the sea”.



“Ah that’s my girl! Budge up will you Nina. Let the dog see the rabbit. D’ya know I’ve been all over the world. When I went into the Irish pubs and those in Kilburn (County Kilburn they call it because there’s so many Irish there) I used to have ‘em rollin’ in the aisles! Not that you get any aisles in a pub. Ah b’Jesus I always said that if you could get a port into a girl you could get a girl in every port and I did. Take little Angie now! God she was a real stunner. She played hard to get but I conquered her in the end.

Sure it was a great life at sea Nina. There was real friendship between the lads. Some of ‘em got thereselves spliced silly buggers! You’re in trouble then me gal. For one t’ing you never know while you’re away whether the women are playin’ away. Stands to sense. They have needs too you know and you’d know all about that. Didn’t you be going’ with Rex now Nina? Ah I know you’ve remained tight lipped about it but I know! Then my Norma, she was a real hot shot! She was a real lady in many ways but a real temptress to a fella! Back to me days at sea now. Where was I? Ah yes now! Svetlana! Sailing round the Baltic I was when I met her. She had muscles on her like any man’s. Now she could have made a great sailor, Nina. You know I told you about Elsie don’t you? She copped me for maintenance but by god she was the only one who did. She sent me a photo of her. Prettiest little Coleen you ever did see and truth to tell that’s all I know of her. We weren’t on the best of terms, me and Elsie. She called me a cad. Brought the wee one up alone so she did. I’d love to see her. My time is short now. Brought up on a farm so I was but that wasn’t my life, tied to the land and waiting on the weather. Crops can take no battering from the rain and wind whereas a ship now well that can to a large extent. If a farmer’s crops fail he’s out of pocket.

There’s nothing like the sea, Nina for testing a man’s strength and skill. Once you stop feeling sick and learn to roll with the ship you’re fine so you are. You see the world too Nina and meet all sorts. It’s hard to remain narrow minded and prejudiced when you meet so many men from all over the world – Men who miss their kids and have pictures of their mothers in their wallets; Men who want a bit but who have to go without till they get to port and get drunk and fight each other for a date with the nearest girl; Men who love music and poetry which sits awkwardly with their macho image and calloused hands and muscular frames; Men who are afraid of dying when the ship is in trouble and men who couldn’t give a damn. Ah sure! We’re the same but different.

Let me get meself another drink and I’ll tell you more”.



“Did he tell you more then Nina”?

“Of course. Only by then you’d gone off to bed because you were tired. I was the one who watched him fall asleep – Drunk again – The whisky spilling down his trousers; His mouth open and his eyes too. He looked old, haggard and sad as if he was a weary traveller who longed for rest and repose but couldn’t reach the inn yet but didn’t have the strength to continue”.



It was Mrs. Carter who spotted the milk piling up on the doorstep. Michael Murphy was a proud man – An independent man. He’d fallen asleep while telling Nina about how she and Norma had been the best girls he’d ever had – The only ones in fact to lure him from the sea. His need for them meant he could never go back to the ocean he loved so much. She peered in at the side window and saw him then with his arm round Nina, glass empty and broken on the floor and she realised at once that he would tell his girls no more stories. With tears in her eyes she rang the doctor and after his visit only one thought possessed her. Would she be allowed to give a home to Norma and Nina? His girls – Ever faithful; Ever reliable; Always there. Just what would become of Norma and Nina? Michael Murphy’s working and retired guide dogs.