A Surprise

I was nearly four years old and I lived with my Mum and Dad. We lived in a small house, although I always think of it as a hut, with two rooms and there was a caravan in the garden which my parents have told me we also lived in as there wasn't much room in the house. My Mum was at home every day at that time and I know we were all very happy. One day things changed, my Mum went away and Auntie Kath came to stay to look after me. Dad wasn't there all the time but I was used to that as he worked late nearly every night so I very rarely saw him at bedtime. I don't think I minded being with Auntie Kath as I remember her as being a very kind person, she had two children but they were older than me so I expect they were at school as I don't remember them being there at that time.

Then one day I can remember being told that Mum was coming home and she had a surprise for me. I couldn't think what it would be but maybe it was a new doll which would be really wonderful as I knew it wasn't my birthday or Christmas yet. I waited by the window for what seemed ages but finally there was Mum and Dad coming down the path. Mum was carrying something which looked a bit bigger than the doll I thought was going to be my surprise and it was wrapped up in a white frilly blanket. I wanted to rush out to them and jump up for a cuddle but I was told to be a good girl and to wait for Mum and Dad to get inside. I was becoming very impatient and began to jump up and down but I still had to wait for Mum to sit down before I could see what was in the bundle she was carrying. Finally I saw what was there, it was a real baby all tiny and pink waving her little hands about. I was told that she was my baby sister and her name was Kathleen and from now on I could help to look after her. She seemed so tiny and when she opened her mouth she could certainly make a lot of noise, but it felt good being a big sister. I soon found out it would be quite a while before Katie, as we called the baby, would be big enough for me to play with and I was a bit disappointed that I didn't get the new doll I thought would be my surprise. However I knew it wouldn't be too long to wait as we had already had Fireworks night and I knew my birthday and Christmas came soon after that.
This little tale is one of my very first memories although I expect some of it is what I have been told about later on in my childhood.