The builders had been wonderful, completing the work on schedule in mid–February, and now Cheryl took a final look around. The bedrooms looked nice, with pretty wallpaper and room for a few choice pieces of furniture that would add familiarity, a way to give a feeling of home. The authorities had completed their inspection; they were happy with the facilities, her qualifications and standards. She’d have to employ another nurse, mainly for the night shifts, but now the necessary paperwork allowing her to open was in place.
It had been hard to keep it from Paula, to fob her off, but whilst waiting for the work to be completed Cheryl had come up with another idea, one she hoped would solve
all
their problems.
She wandered downstairs to the comfortable sitting room with adequate seating for everyone, and then on to the room that had been converted. Perfect, everything was perfect–well, not quite. So far the house was empty. Would she be able to fill it? The thought made Cheryl’s stomach churn. She was committed now, her mortgage large and payments to be made on time every month. Come on, she chided herself, you’ve come this far and there’s no turning back now. She would tell them tonight and, if they agreed, everything would indeed be perfect.
Paula couldn’t stand it any more. She was so jealous, but it was her own fault. She should have told Keith how she felt, but fear had held her back. It was too late now. Keith and Maureen were an obvious pair and had been courting for what felt like ages. During the lunch break, Paula sat with Lucy in the canteen, her mind made up. ‘I’m giving me notice in on Friday.’
‘Are you? What for? This ain’t a bad job and the pay’s good.’
‘I just feel like a change,’ she said, her eyes inadvertently moving to where Keith and Maureen were sitting.
‘Oh, I get it,’ Lucy said as she followed her gaze. ‘It’s the lovebirds, ain’t it?’
‘No, why should it be?’
‘’Cos no matter what you say, you fancy Keith, and it’s got up your nose that he’s with someone else.’
Paula cocked an eyebrow. ‘As usual, you don’t mince your words.’
‘I speak as I find, but yes, I know I’m a bit blunt. I take after my mother. Speak the truth and shame the devil was one of her favourite sayings. And as for those two,’ she said, nodding in their direction, ‘they won’t last.’
She doubted that Lucy was right. If anything, Keith and Maureen were getting closer by the day. ‘It makes no difference to me.’
‘If you say so, but I still think you’re mad to leave. Oh sod it, there’s the bell. It’s time to go back to work.’
‘I’m sneaking outside for another fag first.’
‘You ain’t got long.’
‘Enough for a few drags. See you later,’ Paula said as she hurried out, brushing past Keith’s table, head down, and uncaring if she got into trouble with the forewoman as she stepped outside to light up. She was leaving anyway, so what did it matter?
Her thoughts turned to Betty; though still down in the dumps, she now seemed a little better. Cheryl hadn’t been there last evening, but she’d rung to say she was coming tonight and had something to tell them. Had she found a house at last? Oh, she hoped so. It would be a fresh start, a new home along with a new job.
With reluctance, Richard had gone back to work. Mel still wasn’t right, but at least there was some improvement. He’d given up trying to talk about the baby’s medical condition. Every time he mentioned the subject, Mel became almost hysterical and remained adamant that nobody else was told. John and Anne still blamed Betty–still refused to talk to their mother–but with Mel his sole concern, Richard had found justification in keeping the truth from them. If Betty’s madcap scheme had worked it would have ruined his marriage, his reputation–in fact, his life. John had been ready to believe the accusations, but as his mother had been poisoning his mind since the divorce, was it any wonder? If Anne hadn’t turned up in time to recognise the girl, she’d have heard the story secondhand and he’d have lost her too, just as he’d lost his son for so many years. Yes, he thought now, he was justified in thinking that it was time for Betty to find out just how painful it was to be estranged from her children.
He looked at Mel that evening as she picked at her dinner. She was still grieving, but as the doctor had told him when he’d voiced his concerns, it was early days yet. His voice gently cajoling, Richard said, ‘You’ve got to eat, darling.’
‘I’m not hungry.’
Richard still felt that a change of scenery might help. His staff had managed competently during his absence, and he was confident they could manage again. ‘I know you said a month ago that you didn’t want a holiday, but how about now? We could go somewhere quiet. I could rent a villa for just the two of us, somewhere warm and secluded.’
Mel said nothing at first, pushing her food around on her plate until at last she looked up. ‘Yes, all right.’
He smiled with relief. ‘I’ll pop down to see the travel agent first thing in the morning.’
When he’d cleared his plate, Richard rose to his feet, and taking Mel’s almost full one from in front of her, took them through to the kitchen. There were a few things to sort out at the showrooms before they could leave, and with business slow at this time of year, he’d have to find a holiday that wasn’t going to cost an arm and a leg. He scraped Mel’s food into the bin and was just about to start washing up when she came into the room.
‘Leave it, Richard, I’ll do it.’
He opened his mouth to protest, but the look on her face stilled him. He was treating Mel like an invalid again and knew she hated it. ‘All right, darling, while you’re clearing up, I’ll give the kids a ring to let them know that we’re off on holiday.’ He glanced at his watch. ‘It’s seven o’clock so they should be home from work.’
‘You…you won’t invite them to join us, will you?’
‘No, of course not,’ and leaving the room he went to the telephone.
‘Hello, Dad,’ John said, ‘how’s things?’
‘Mel’s just agreed to a holiday. I’m hoping the change will do her the world of good.’
‘When are you going?’
‘I don’t know yet. I’m off to the travel agent’s in the morning.’
‘Dad, don’t forget I’m getting married in about six weeks.’
‘Don’t worry. I want to get away as soon as possible, and we’ll be back well before the twenty–eighth of March.’
‘Right–o, but I doubt you’ll be off before Sunday, so we’ll see you then.’
‘Yes, but do me a favour, John. Don’t talk about your mother. I think it upsets Mel and she doesn’t need the constant reminder of what happened.’
‘Sorry, Dad, I should have realised that before.’
They spoke for a few moments longer, and then, saying goodbye, Richard hung up. He dialled Anne’s number, giving her the same news.
His daughter wasn’t so happy. ‘I still think it’s a bit too soon, Dad.’
‘Well I don’t, and anyway, Mel’s agreed.’
‘Maybe we should come with you, though I’d have to check if I can get time off work, Tony too.’
‘Sorry, darling, but this holiday is for just the two of us.’
‘I see. See you on Sunday then.’
‘Yes, but as I told John, please don’t talk about your mother. I know you’re both bitter, but going over and over it isn’t helping Mel. Why don’t you talk about the wedding instead? It might arouse Mel’s interest, give her something else to think about.’
‘Mel’s just as angry as us, and can you blame her? She seemed pleased when we told her that we’d hung up on Mum when she rang us–and anyway, maybe talking about it helps to get it off her chest.’
Anne sounded a bit miffed, but Richard said firmly, ‘I think enough has been said on the subject, and no, I don’t think it helps Mel. Now, I’ll see you on Sunday, and I don’t want to hear another word about your mother.’
‘What if Mel brings it up?’
‘Then divert the conversation to something else.’
Anne reluctantly agreed and, relieved, Richard said goodbye. The sooner he got Mel away from all the angst the better, and with any luck they’d be able to get away in just over a week.
At the same time that evening, Val and Paula were in Betty’s flat, but she wished they’d leave. She didn’t want to think or to talk, but since her medication had been cut in half a lot of the fogginess had cleared. Betty preferred it when her thoughts were cushioned in cotton wool. They were chatting, but she didn’t join in, only listened; unable, now that her head had cleared, to cut out the sound of their voices.
‘Do you think Cheryl’s found a house?’ Paula asked.
‘Yes, probably.’
‘Oh, I can’t wait. It’ll be great to get out of my bedsit. Not only that, I’ve definitely decided to find another job. I’m giving a week’s notice on Friday.’
‘It might be better to find another one first. I haven’t had any luck, just a job typing all day that would drive me mad. It was lovely of Mr Warriner to give me a cushion of three months’ salary when he retired, so at least I’m not pushed to take just anything.’
Betty closed her eyes. There’d been a time when she too wanted to find another job, to do something other than cleaning, but the will had left her now. In reality she dreaded going back to work, and if the doctor stopped her medication completely the silence of her employer’s house would give her nothing but time to think. No, she didn’t want to think, didn’t want to feel. When the fogginess in her mind had first lifted, she had tried to ring Anne and John when Val wasn’t around. It had broken her heart when they refused to take her call, both hanging up as soon as they heard her voice. Val had told her to give them time, that eventually they’d come round, but in her heart of hearts, Betty doubted it.
‘There’s Cheryl,’ Paula now said as she moved from her post at the window. ‘Oh, Val, I hope it’s good news.’
It didn’t take long for Cheryl to climb the stairs, and before she had even knocked on the door, Val was letting her in. She said hello, but then almost immediately walked across the room to crouch in front of Betty. ‘How are you doing?’ she asked gently.
Betty heard her soft voice, saw the concern in her eyes, and felt a surge of sadness that brought tears to her eyes. No, no, she didn’t want this, didn’t want to feel again. ‘I…I need another pill.’
‘Yes, your medication is due,’ Val said.
‘Wait, Val, don’t give it to her yet. I need to tell you all something, and need Betty to be alert for a little while longer.’
‘No…no, I want my pill.’
‘I know, darling, I know, but just give me five minutes, that’s all,’ Cheryl urged, as she rose to her feet.
‘Have you found a house?’ Paula asked eagerly.
‘Yes, but sit down.’
There was a moment’s silence until they were all settled and then, taking a deep breath, Cheryl said, ‘I’d better start at the beginning, but I’ve put a lot of thought into what I’m going to suggest and I think it’s the perfect answer for all of us.’
‘All of us? What do you mean?’ Val asked.
‘I’ve always dreamed of opening my own residential home, but never thought it possible and had settled on midwifery. However, when I put the idea to the bank manager, to my amazement, he actually agreed to my business plan, and the mortgage.’
‘A residential home. What’s that?’ Paula asked.
‘It’s a sort of nursing home, not for physical illness, but for elderly people who can no longer care for themselves.’
‘But…but I thought we were going to share a house.’
‘We still can, but not in quite the same way.’
‘How then?’
‘Let me tell you about the house first. With two bedrooms, we can live in the basement flat. I’ve converted the ground floor, making another two, an office and sitting room. Upstairs, there’s another six.’
‘Ten bedrooms! Where is this house?’ Val asked.
‘In Wimbledon.’
‘Wimbledon,’ Paula exclaimed. ‘Blimey, that’s miles away.’
‘It’s not that far, but please, let me finish. I’ll need help, Paula, lots of it, and with this in mind, if you want it, I’d like to offer you a job.’
‘Doing what?’
‘To start with, I’ll need auxiliaries and I think you’d be perfect.’
‘What’s an auxiliary?’
‘A nursing aide. You’ll be trained to look after the residents’ general needs, seeing that they’re comfortable, eating properly, changing the linen, things like that.’
‘I dunno, Cheryl. It’s a bit different from working in a factory.’
‘I know, but I’m sure you’d be good at it. I want the residents cared for in the best possible way. It’s awful for the elderly when they’re shunted off somewhere because they can no longer look after themselves and feel that they have become a burden. When they come to us I’d like them to feel that they’re part of a family, loved, with a few of their own things around them.’
‘If they can’t look after themselves, I don’t think I’d have the stomach for some of the things I’d have to do. I ain’t like you, Cheryl, I’m squeamish.’
‘It might be hard at first, but honestly, you’d become used to it. One thing though, until we’re established, I won’t be able to offer you much in the way of pay, but you won’t have to give me anything for your keep.’
‘Well, Paula, you wanted a change,’ said Val, ‘and this would certainly be one.’
‘Val, have you found another job yet?’ Cheryl asked.
‘No, I’m afraid not.’
‘Oh good, because I’d like to offer you a job too.’
‘Me! But I’d be a useless auxiliary.’
‘No, no, I’d like you to handle all the administration. I’m hopeless at paperwork, accounts and such. With two bedrooms on the ground floor, you could live in too. Like Paula, I can’t offer you much in the way of wages, but you’d be living rent free.’
Betty felt her eyes welling up again. If they accepted Cheryl’s offer it would be more than she could stand. They’d become like a family to her, and now she had lost her children, Paula, Cheryl and Val were all she had left. Unbidden, a sob escaped her lips.
‘Oh, Betty, Betty, don’t. I’m so sorry. I should have spoken to you first. There’s a job and home for you too. I know you’re a wonderful cook, and I’m sure the residents wouldn’t fail to eat if you provided their meals. If you don’t fancy that, then you too could be an auxiliary.’