Ae Fond Kiss

Alice Dale, author and star reader of Ae Fond Kiss, a 52-episode serial being broadcast on Capital Community Radio 101.7FM & Digital...

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Episode 1
(10 Aug 2020)

Welcome to Ae Fond Kiss, a dramatised book-reading written and read by Alice Dale. Our story takes place in June 1940.

Episode 2
(11 Aug 2020)

In Episode 1 of Ae Font Kiss, written and read by Alice Dale, Craig Stebbings, a young fighter pilot was shot down over the English Channel, suffering severe burns, causing trauma, which has affected his speach. His mother, Philippa Stebbings, decided to travel from Glasgow to Dover to visit him in spite of her husband's warnings about travel in wartime.

Episode 3
(12 Aug 2020)

Previously, in Ae Font Kiss, written and read by Alice Dale, Craig's mother, Philippa, got permission to take time off school to visit her severely burned son in hospital in Dover. She made a harrowing two-day journey from Glasgow, relieved only by the company of Steve, a cheerful young soldier.

Episode 4
(13 Aug 2020)

Previously, in Ae Font Kiss, written and read by Alice Dale, Philippa arrived at the military hospital in Dover, exhausted, after her two-day journey, to visit her son. Wounded, and suffering trauma that had caused speech defects, she was anxious to see him, only to be told he did not want to see her.

Episode 5
(14 Aug 2020)

Previously, in Ae Font Kiss, written and read by Alice Dale, a kindly burse, Pamela Walters, took Philippa under her wing: fed her and gave her a bed for the night. Next day she managed to get her in to see her son, which came as a shock for both Craig and Philippa. And, after a ten-minute visit, she was advised not to stay any longer.

Episode 6
(17 Aug 2020)

Previously, in Ae Font Kiss, written and read by Alice Dale, Craig’s mother after only a ten-minute visit to her wounded son had had to return to Glasgow the same day where she related her experiences to her husband whofound her news upsetting.

Episode 7
(18 Aug 2020)

Previously, in Ae Font Kiss, written and read by Alice Dale, Philippa’s husband was upset about Craig’s difficulties and she found herself relating them to David Mackie, instead. An air raid started that eveningand her daughter, Irene, phoned from the cinema where she and Jon were trapped. She persuaded her mother to go into the Anderson shelter.

Episode 8
(19 Aug 2020)

Previously, in Ae Font Kiss, written and read by Alice Dale, the air raid over, Philippa’s husband,Stan, after duty with the ARP, told a horrendous story of what had happened in Clydebank, and how he had rescued a young woman and her baby.

Episode 9
(20 Aug 2020)

Previously, in Ae Font Kiss, written and read by Alice Dale, there was another air raid. This time, daughter Irene stayed with her mother in the Anderson shelter until the raid was over and they went to bed in the house. They were wakened by a young policeman arriving on the doorstep.

Episode 10
(21 Aug 2020)

Previously, in Ae Font Kiss, written and read by Alice Dale, Philippa was still worried about her pilot son, Craig, in hospital, having difficulties with his speech. Now she had a greater worry with the news of her husband’s death. Visiting the hospital where Stan’s body had been taken, she was advised not to see his mutilated body. Philippa went home to write to Craig with the sad news.

Episode 11
(24 Aug 2020)

Previously, in Ae Font Kiss, written and read by Alice Dale, Nurse Pamela Walters received a letter from Craig’s mother, informing her of her husband’s death and asking her to pass on this difficult news to her traumatized son. Pamela, interested in Speech Therapy, approached the senior surgeon for permission to treat Craig.

Episode 12
(25 Aug 2020)

Previously, in Ae Font Kiss, written and read by Alice Dale, Pamela, making good progress with Craig’s Speech Therapy, encouraged him to sing a song. But, when other patients arrived and applauded, he was totally mortified and, furious, fled the scene. Next day, he blamed Pamela for causing him such embarrassment. She retorted that it was selfish to deny other wounded patients the pleasure of his wonderful voice.

Episode 13
(26 Aug 2020)

Previously, in Ae Font Kiss, written and read by Alice Dale, David came to Philippa’s house one Saturday morning to help her with Stan’s probate. They were totally relaxed in each other’s company until she asked him about his wife, because of staff room gossip. But when he started to explain, Philippa became so embarrassed she rushed out tomake a cup of tea.

Episode 14
(27 Aug 2020)

Previously, in Ae Font Kiss, written and read by Alice Dale, Craig had been avoiding his speech therapy sessions until sheet music arrived from his mother. He and Pamela sang duets together and exchanged bits of information about their lives. And Pam persuaded him to sing in the Christmas concert.

Episode 15
(28 Aug 2020)

Previously, in Ae Font Kiss, written and read by Alice Dale, David told Philippa about what had caused the parting of the ways with his wife: her need for possessions and excitement. She had trained as a short-hand typist and landed a job in a firm of solicitors which had proved to be the beginning-of-the-end of their marriage.

Episode 16
(31 Aug 2020)

Previously, in Ae Font Kiss, written and read by Alice Dale, David’s separation from his wife didn’t alter Pippa’s feelings for him. But, since he was still married, she decided to end their relationship. Meantime, in Buckland Hospital, the Christmas concert was a roaring success, including Craig’s singing. Now, he and Pam kissed after every therapy session.

Episode 17
(1 Sep 2020)

Previously, in Ae Font Kiss, written and read by Alice Dale, Craig was told nothing more could be done for him at Buckland Hospital and he must leave to make room for urgent cases. His mind inturmoil about leaving the safety of the hospital, as well as leaving Pamela, whose love he now doubted, Craig returned to Scotland. Unable to tell his mother of his feelings, conversation was difficult.

Episode 18
(2 Sep 2020)

Previously, in Ae Font Kiss, written and read by Alice Dale, Craig’s mother was worried and confused about her depressed son and her inability to help him. Craig started skin transplants. When a letter arrived from Pamela, he refused to open it and insisted that Philippa burn it. Next day, at school, trying to control tears, she to bumped into David.

Episode 19
(3 Sep 2020)

Previously, in Ae Font Kiss, written and read by Alice Dale, Pippa was clearly upset, so David took her into his office and offered the advice she needed so badly about her problems with Craig. Which led to their first kiss and they arranged to go to the pictures the next day. Pippa skipped home like a teenager.

Episode 20
(4 Sep 2020)

Previously, in Ae Font Kiss, written and read by Alice Dale, Craig was suffering cabin fever and decided to get out and face the world again. At the zoo, he bumped into Kevin Buchanan, an old school chum, whose girl friend persuaded Craig to join them the following night at the Locarno. She promised him a dancing partner as beautiful as Rita Hayworth.

Episode 21
(7 Sep 2020)

Previously, in Ae Font Kiss, written and read by Alice Dale, Pippa came home to find Craig happily singing Daisy, Daisy. He told her he was going dancing the next evening and she couldn’t wait to tell David the good news. He immediately saw that they could now go to the pictures on the same evening, instead of Saturday afternoon.

Episode 22
(8 Sep 2020)

Previously, in Ae Font Kiss, written and read by Alice Dale, David and Philippa went to the pictures, for the first time, in the evening but passed some time having drinks in a nearby hotel. She promised to tell her son about David if Craig would agree to a party for his 21st – a year overdue.

Episode 23
(9 Sep 2020)

Previously, in Ae Font Kiss, written and read by Alice Dale, Craig met Daisy, for the first time, at the Locarno Ballroom. All went well until she suggested that being shot down over the English Channel must have been exciting and the memory brought back Craig’s stutter. Added to that, Daisy dancing with an American soldier, offended Craig and he was about to leave without her.

Episode 24
(10 Sep 2020)

Previously, in Ae Font Kiss, written and read by Alice Dale, the dancing foursome continued, and Craig’s depression and mood swings had gone. One rainy night, Pippa and David ended up with very wet legs. Pippa offered him a pair of Stan’s trousers. But David felt odd about putting on her dead husband’s clothes.

Episode 25
(11 Sep 2020)

Previously, in Ae Font Kiss, written and read by Alice Dale, David tried on Stan’s trousers but felt Pippa wanted him to leave. As she came out the kitchen, they collided and the inevitable happened. He kissed her and professed his love. When Craig came home, she suggested a party and Craig suspected she was seeing someone.

Episode 26
(14 Sep 2020)

Previously, in Ae Font Kiss, written and read by Alice Dale, Pippa and her son, had a long heart-to-heart when she told him about David. Craig was delighted and agreed to a party to celebrate his belated 21st birthday. However, when he invited Daisy, she admitted to having a boyfriend and Craig’s anger flared again, and he told his mother to cancel the party.

Episode 27
(15 Sep 2020)

Previously, in Ae Font Kiss, written and read by Alice Dale, Pippa had to stop Craig angrily playing the 1812 Overture at a deafening level. With difficulty she calmed him down and persuaded him not to cancel his belated 21stbirthday party. As usual she shared the latest developments with David.

Episode 28
(16 Sep 2020)

Previously, in Ae Font Kiss, written and read by Alice Dale, the day of Craig’s birthday party arrived, and Christine proved a tower of strength in helping with the food. That evening, we met the dreaded Aunty Margaret with her ghastly Kelvinside accent.

Episode 29
(17 Sep 2020)

Previously, in Ae Font Kiss, written and read by Alice Dale, Craig’s 21stbirthday party got going and he managed to ignore the crass remarks of his Aunty Margaret and Uncle Arthur. Kevin, Christine and David arrived together.

Episode 30
(18 Sep 2020)

Previously, in Ae Font Kiss, written and read by Alice Dale, the party continued and, at last, Craig and David met, each instantly taking to the other. Presents were given and Craig was encouraged to model the Aran sweater, knitted by his mother. Then his best present arrived – Pamela.

Episode 31
(21 Sep 2020)

Previously, in Ae Font Kiss, written and read by Alice Dale, Pamela’s arrival at the party filled Craig with joy and his proposal was eagerly accepted. Aunt Margaret was desperate to know about both Pamela and David but learned nothing to satisfy her curiosity.

Episode 32
(22 Sep 2020)

Previously, in Ae Font Kiss, written and read by Alice Dale, as things were cleared away after the party, Pippa and Pamela had a chat while Craig and David had a real heart-to-heart about the marriage problems facing Pippa and David.

Episode 33
(23 Sep 2020)

Previously, in Ae Font Kiss, written and read by Alice Dale, Craig, Pamela, Pippa and David all went into the Anderson shelter when an air raid began. This gave them an opportunity to chat like a family and hear about Pamela’s life before the war.

Episode 34
(24 Sep 2020)

Previously, in Ae Font Kiss, written and read by Alice Dale, Craig, Pamela, Pippa and David spent the night in the Anderson shelter and Pippa told them of her little romance with her ballroom dancing partner. David suggested teaching asa future career for Craig. Meantime, David’s wife, Gloria and her boss, Major Marsden, drove to London, checked into a hotel and, that evening, arrived at the Talk of The Town.

Episode 35
(25 Sep 2020)

Previously, in Ae Font Kiss, written and read by Alice Dale, Gloria and the major had an evening of dining and dancing in London, followed by love making back at the hotel. But, her attempts at sophistication didn’t fool her boss. They decided to visit the British Museum next day.

Episode 36
(28 Sep 2020)

Previously, in Ae Font Kiss, written and read by Alice Dale, Craig started studying for his MA at Glasgow University while Pamela started her new job in speech therapy at Gartnaval Hospital. Gloria told the major that she had started divorce proceedings, naming him as co-respondent.

Episode 37
(29 Sep 2020)

Previously, in Ae Font Kiss, written and read by Alice Dale, David told Pippa Gloria had started divorce proceedings and proposed to Pippa. But she still had doubts about being able to marry in the church. She decided to approach Irene’s priest, young and returned from the war with one arm amputated.

Episode 38
(30 Sep 2020)

Previously, in Ae Font Kiss, written and read by Alice Dale, Pippa phoned Irene's young priest, home from the war, and made an appointment to see him after Mass next day, where Irene and John joined them, with the good news that Irene was pregnant.

Episode 39
(1 Oct 2020)

Previously, in Ae Font Kiss, written and read by Alice Dale, Pippa and David’s visit to Father Dempsey proved difficult. Although a kindly man, willing to help, he had asked some awkward questions.

Episode 40
(2 Oct 2020)

Previously, in Ae Font Kiss, written and read by Alice Dale, Father Dempsey had to explain that the church’s law on remarriage in church was impossible for a divorcee. The lunch that followed at Irene’s was not the celebration they had hoped for.

Episode 41
(5 Oct 2020)

Previously, in Ae Font Kiss, written and read by Alice Dale, David says he still wants to marry Pippa, even if it’s not in church. But, unable to accept that, she insisted they must stop seeing each other. Meantime, she told Pamela about Anna, a nurse she’d known at Buckland Hospital and now the priest’s carer.

Episode 42
(6 Oct 2020)

Previously, in Ae Font Kiss, written and read by Alice Dale, David instructed a solicitor to start divorce proceedings, but his letter to Gloria came back Return to Sender. Unable to talk this over with Pippa, David met up with her daughter and husband next day.

Episode 43
(7 Oct 2020)

Previously, in Ae Font Kiss, written and read by Alice Dale, Gloria was persistently asking William personal questions about his marriage and children until he asked why she was childless. Although saying she didn’t want any, her mind went back to being pregnant at 18 and planning an abortion.

Episode 44
(8 Oct 2020)

Previously, in Ae Font Kiss, written and read by Alice Dale, David felt like a widower without Pippa, so he decided to accept Jenny McGrath’s invitation to dinner. Meantime, Gloria’s mind was still reliving the day of her abortion. Suppressing that memory, she was about to take over the driving. But her silly flirting with William caused a serious accident.

Episode 45
(9 Oct 2020)

Previously, in Ae Font Kiss, written and read by Alice Dale, Jenny McGrath told Pippa that she had invited David to dinner on Saturday and he had accepted. Her sly visits to David’s office convinced Pippa this was true and, to get herself under control, she went into the city where she unexpectedly met Steve, the young soldier who had kept her company on the London train.

Episode 46
(12 Oct 2020)

Previously, in Ae Font Kiss, written and read by Alice Dale, Pippa and Steve filled in their news of the three years since they’d met, and Pippa invited him to join the family on Saturday evening. David arrived at Jenny’s house to find her in a red satin dress and no other guests in sight.

Episode 47
(13 Oct 2020)

Previously, in Ae Font Kiss, written and read by Alice Dale, David was spending an excruciatingly embarrassing evening with Jenny and now feared what she meant by promising him a surprise.

Episode 48
(14 Oct 2020)

Previously, in Ae Font Kiss, written and read by Alice Dale, all Jenny’s wiles failed to seduce David. Pippa arrived at Irene and Jon’s and found Steve already there. She learned Craig and Pam’s wedding date next year, and that it would take place in the University Chapel.

Episode 49
(15 Oct 2020)

Previously, in Ae Font Kiss, written and read by Alice Dale, at Irene’s impromptu dinner the problem facing Pippa and David was discussed. But when Pippa told them that David was havingdinner with Jenny she broke down. Then said, that she didn’t want him back if he’d been seduced by ‘that little tart’. To everyone’s embarrassment, David arrived.

Episode 50
(16 Oct 2020)

Previously, in Ae Font Kiss, written and read by Alice Dale, David related his whole embarrassing experience at Jenny’s dinner. When Steve heard Gloria’s full name he was able to tell them that she had been killed in a motor accident while he was still at Connaught Barracks. He had been a pall bearer. Craig ushered his mother and David into the dining room.

Episode 51
(19 Oct 2020)

Previously, in Ae Font Kiss, written and read by Alice Dale, David managed to convince Pippa that Jenny’s behaviour was totally unexpected and unacceptable. Once more, he proposed to her and, this time, she accepted joyfully. Now they announced their engagement to the delighted family, who were stunned when Pippa suggested a double wedding at the University Chapel.

Episode 52
(20 Oct 2020)

Previously, in Ae Font Kiss, written and read by Alice Dale, A year had passed, and family discussions were all about how to dress in wartime for the two weddings. With difficulty, Pamela and Pippa convinced Craig to hire a full-dress kilt and on the 24thof June 1944 the double wedding took place. And now, in this lastepisode of Ae Fond Kiss, you are invited to the wedding reception followed, a year later, by the VJ Day celebrations and Craig’s surprise announcement.

There are a total of 52 episodes in this serialisation.

Alice Dale

Ae Fond Kiss is a novel by Alice Dale. Set in WWII it tells the story of a young fighter pilot, his traumas and his mother’s struggle with a forbidden love.

In this serialisation it is read by the author, with some of Perth’s leading actors taking part in a dramatisation that portrays the hardships of wartime life such as food and clothing rationing, and living with the threat of bombing. It is bound to stir memories for listeners who lived through those years in their youth and paint a vivid picture for listeners of younger generations.

Alice Dale, lives in Kalamunda, Western Australia, and turned 90 in June 2020. The title of the novel comes from the Robbie Burns poem Ae Fond Kiss.

Do you have friends or relatives in Australia or overseas who might like to listen to this series? If so, the podcasts on this page can be heard anywhere in the world so just send them a link to this page and they can binge to their delight.