It was during one summer's evening, as we casually walked and chatted near her home, that I seriously began to consider my prospects, and the situation prevailing in the locality in which we lived. The valleys seemed to be slowly dying. So I decided that as soon as my apprenticeship was completed in a few months time, I would leave Wales and go to London. Jean thought it was a great idea. But before the evening was over, she ended our relationship again, saying it was over between us.  I felt sick.  Another period of wretchedness had begun.

Months later, my mates and I were returning on the last bus from a dance, when it dawned upon me that we were entering the village where Jean lived.  I suddenly decided to see her.

"Hey up, Ron, where are you goin'? We're still in Llanbradach. Watch him Bill, he's had a few. Sit down, Ron," shouted Pearson, trying to stop me descending from the top deck.  The bus slowed, and I got off. At night, the unlit street was as black as pitch. Jean's Mum opened the front door.

"It's Ron,"  I said sheepishly.  Is Jean still up?"

"Oh, hello Ron. Yes she is!  Come in and speak to her will you. Where do you think she's off to tomorrow? London!  That's where she's off to!  Talk her out of this silliness, Ron. What's she going to do in London?"

This came as a complete surprise to me. I was trying to work out what was going on, when Jean got up from her chair to hide. Her hair was in brown paper curlers, and she was prepared for bed. Without make-up, she was more than a little embarrassed by her late caller.

The following morning I turned up at her house to see her off. She had her friend Margaret with her. Apparently, they had been arranging things for weeks. Both Jean and Margaret had relatives in London. I told Jean I would follow her to the big city in a few weeks time. Soon after, I received a reply from my aunt and uncle in London confirming my request to live with them. It was arranged that Uncle Ike would pick me up from the station.

As I sat on the London train looking from the empty compartment at the endless fields passing my window like turf on a conveyor belt, I thought about the future, and felt apprehensive as to what work I could get.  As usual, I was a little short of money. Then my thoughts turned to Jean, and I felt a little better.  Perhaps Uncle Ike will give me work in his building firm, I thought.

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