The first person George informed of his decision to use his real name was A.J. who was delighted and said that it now felt as if his brother had truly returned. Although the decision had been hard, he explained his reasons and now began the difficult process of actually becoming George Waterson, not only in name, but of also accepting the realities of his past and his role in the family he was now a member. A.J. suggested he contacted Calder, his solicitor, who he was sure would be able to help with the legal aspects of the name change.
“In fact why don’t you come to stay for the weekend?” A.J. suggested, “We can have a little celebration and you can spend some time with Calder while you’re here.”
George agreed without hesitation, which he found surprising, as he would have normally been reluctant to accept such an invitation without suggesting “he would need to think about it” or “I’ll let you know”.
“I still have a room free at Northwood Hall you can stay there,” A.J. suggested, “let me know when you plan to arrive and I’ll organize a lift at the station.”
The second call George made was to speak to Neville who was surprised at the news of the decision to change his name but thanked him for letting him know.
“It’ll take some getting used to,” Neville remarked, “referring to you as George, but I’m sure it’s going to be doubly difficult for you.”
“Difficult or not,” George replied, “I just felt it was the correct thing to do. It took a lot of thought but now I’ve decided I feel relieved and somehow I know it was right. It’s like I’ve been walking around in a dead man’s body and I’m sure it’s my imagination but I feel that a weight has been lifted off my shoulders.”
George asked him how things were going with Marie and the job hunting.
“One is going very well and the other not so well,” was Neville’s reply. “We just feel so right for each other, Marie and myself that is, but I’ve had no luck on the job front. The sales at the paper have taken such a downturn I’m sure I’m in line for the sack, and yes before you ask, I have tried to speak to your brother, but he is a difficult man to track down and I’m hoping he replies to one of the messages I’ve left for him.”
George explained he would be seeing A.J. soon and would mention that Neville had been trying to contact him. The call ended with best wishes for each of their futures and a sense that the two were now going their separate ways with no reason for any further communication.
“In fact why don’t you come to stay for the weekend?” A.J. suggested, “We can have a little celebration and you can spend some time with Calder while you’re here.”
George agreed without hesitation, which he found surprising, as he would have normally been reluctant to accept such an invitation without suggesting “he would need to think about it” or “I’ll let you know”.
“I still have a room free at Northwood Hall you can stay there,” A.J. suggested, “let me know when you plan to arrive and I’ll organize a lift at the station.”
The second call George made was to speak to Neville who was surprised at the news of the decision to change his name but thanked him for letting him know.
“It’ll take some getting used to,” Neville remarked, “referring to you as George, but I’m sure it’s going to be doubly difficult for you.”
“Difficult or not,” George replied, “I just felt it was the correct thing to do. It took a lot of thought but now I’ve decided I feel relieved and somehow I know it was right. It’s like I’ve been walking around in a dead man’s body and I’m sure it’s my imagination but I feel that a weight has been lifted off my shoulders.”
George asked him how things were going with Marie and the job hunting.
“One is going very well and the other not so well,” was Neville’s reply. “We just feel so right for each other, Marie and myself that is, but I’ve had no luck on the job front. The sales at the paper have taken such a downturn I’m sure I’m in line for the sack, and yes before you ask, I have tried to speak to your brother, but he is a difficult man to track down and I’m hoping he replies to one of the messages I’ve left for him.”
George explained he would be seeing A.J. soon and would mention that Neville had been trying to contact him. The call ended with best wishes for each of their futures and a sense that the two were now going their separate ways with no reason for any further communication.