Victorian Nocturne

He'd never seen England before this.

Standing near the railing of the ship as it docked, Joachim looked down at the pier and then outwards towards the waiting families and friends where they'd gathered to greet other passengers. Father was down there somewhere, he knew, waiting for him to disembark. They had exchanged numerous letters before his arrival; he had first written the man while he was still in hospital. He and Frederick had always had a polite relationship with one another, if only because his mother meant so much to both of them. She was the glue that held them together, and without her it was likely that they'd not be able to tolerate one another at all.

( Father and Son )