Keys
The following week we kept our allotted appointment with the Housing Department of the Livingston Development Corporation at its main office in Livingston Village.
With barely concealed excitement, tempered with some apprehension that some last minute hitch might deprive us of it all, we entered the office. We had nothing to fear. We were treated as if we were doing the Corporation a kindness in accepting its offer of housing.
Mr Rowlands, the deputy of Mr Leslie Higgs, Property Manager and Social Relations Officer, personally took charge of us and offered to escort us in his car to Leven Walk. After duly completing the formalities, he led the way back to Craigshill.
Reaching Leven Walk, he unlocked the main door and led us up the staircase to our flat. It was on the second floor.
On opening the door, he ushered Olive and me into the house as he followed. The newness of the interior struck us immediately - distinctive smell of new wood, freshness of paint, the newly papered walls, not to mention the openess of it all that were highlighted by the numerous windows.
Olive immediately forgot her longing for a garden as she took it all in. She loved what she saw. I was so happy for her.
" I`ll leave you both now to look around at your leisure," Mr Rowlands kindly said as he took his leave of us. "Any problem, you know where to find me," he volunteered. With that, and a final good luck on our move, he left us.
"What a wonderful person and what wonderful personal service," declared Olive. I could not agree more.
Inspection
After he had left, we set about discovering our new domicile. A spacious living room with a south facing window and door that led out onto the balcony running the length of the house. A north facing window was set out higher up in the wall.
A large double-windowed kitchen completed the lower level of the flat. A staircase, open plan beneath it, led up to the bedrooms. Two of the bedrooms had narrow windows that were something of a complaint, but that could not be helped. The master bedroom had a conventional window.
The bathroom, our first of our own during our married life, completed the upper floor. At the bottom of the stairs a further door led out onto the balcony.
All in all, we were a satisfied pair that made our way back to Leith.
Further Visit
We got back in time to collect Karen from school and Pamela from a friend who had been looking after her. We told them all about their new home and promised to return to Livingston in the evening with them.
As parents, Olive and I had the great satisfaction in seeing their young faces light up with excitement when they saw their new bedrooms. We were a very happy family that evening, our joy unbounded.
"When can we sleep here?" asked Karen somewhat impatiently. '"In a shortwhile," we assured her.
We intended moving in as soon as we could. We were as impatient as the children. The sooner the better.
Pamela and Karen outside Leven Walk, Xmas 1966
