Over a week had passed and while Sally was at the hospital, Ruth was gazing into space. Denis Walters still hadn’t turned up, but at least Laura was getting money from the National Assistance.
Despite having been deserted by her husband, so far Laura had kept her promise to stay off the booze, but just in case, when she got the chance, Ruth kept an eye out for Tommy, though she had to admit he seemed as happy as a lark, unaffected by his father’s desertion.
It was silly really, but now that Tommy didn’t need her, Ruth felt obsolete, and she had to admit she was missing him.
She sighed heavily, prompting Sadie to ask her, ‘What’s the matter? You sound as though you’ve got the weight of the world on your shoulders.’
‘I was just thinking about Tommy. I don’t see much of him now.’
‘He’s with his mother and that’s how it should be.’
‘Yeah, I suppose so,’ Ruth murmured as she stood up to take Mary’s letter off the mantelpiece. It had arrived that morning and as though unable to believe the contents, she read it again. Mary had travelled to so many places, but on her way home she had been offered a job in a hotel in Spain, which it seems she had decided to take for a while. It sounded so daring, yet exciting too, and while Ruth didn’t like to admit it, she was envious.
‘Why are you reading that letter again?’ Sadie asked. ‘She’s not coming home yet and that’s that.’
Ruth tucked the letter back into the envelope and as the theme music for
The Avengers
began to play, she sat down again to watch the television.
‘I ain’t keen on this programme,’ Sadie complained.
‘I think it’s good.’
‘I don’t know what’s good about watching a woman prancing about in tight, black leather and fighting like a man.’
‘Diana Rigg looks great, and why shouldn’t women be strong?’
‘All right, don’t go on about it or we’ll miss the plot.’
Ruth sighed in exasperation. If her mother didn’t like the programme, why was she watching it? However, not wanting to miss the action, she said no more.
‘Hello, darling, how are you?’ Sally said as she walked up to Arthur.
‘I’m fine.’
She leaned forward and, as their lips touched, wolf whistles rang out as they had once before. Arthur’s reaction was the same. ‘Shut up, you lot!’ he called, laughing as he looked along the ward. ‘You’re just jealous.’
‘Can we have kisses too?’
‘No chance.’
Sally grinned happily. ‘What have you been up to today?’
‘I’ve been practising on my crutches.’
‘How did you manage?’
‘It was a doddle.’
‘Any news about coming home?’
‘Missing me, are you?’
‘Of course I am.’
‘Well, the news is that I’m to be let out of here on Monday.’
‘Oh . . . Oh that’s wonderful!’ Sally cried.
‘I can’t wait to see our flat.’
‘We won’t be able to move in until you’re back at work,’ Sally warned him.
‘Of course we will. What’s to stop us?’
‘Arthur, think about it. I still need to be with Gran until Mum comes home from work, but I can’t leave you to cope on your own either. I can’t be in two places at once.’
‘I’m
not
coming back to Candle Lane, Sally. I’ll be fine on my own while you’re with Sadie, and anyway, once I get my artificial leg, I’ll be going to work.’
‘You make it sound simple, but it isn’t. What about your meals?’
‘For goodness’ sake, stop making mountains out of molehills. I’ll have breakfast before you leave in the mornings, and you can leave me a sandwich or something for lunch. Don’t treat me like a cripple.’
‘I’m not, at least I didn’t mean to. If you’re sure you can manage, then fine.’
‘Good, I’m glad that’s sorted. Have you arranged to have a telephone installed?’
‘Yes, it’s already in, and despite having been in storage the television is OK,’ Sally assured him, but then she frowned. ‘I wonder if I can persuade Mum to have Monday off.’
‘Why should she have the day off?’
‘I should have thought that was obvious. I want to be at the flat waiting for when you come home.’
‘Home! Sally, you don’t know how good that sounds.’
When Sally arrived in Candle Lane, she was smiling. She would have to leave Arthur alone during the day, but he was adamant that he could cope, and thinking about it whilst sitting on the bus, she was sure that Elsie would pop down regularly to see him. He was coming home! Arthur was coming home, and it was wonderful.
‘Hello, love, you look happy. Have you got some good news?’ Ruth asked.
‘Yes, Arthur will be leaving the hospital on Monday, and that means we’ll be moving into our flat at last. I know it’s a lot to ask, but can you take the day off work?’
‘What for?’
‘I want to be at the flat when Arthur arrives.’
‘Flaming hell, Sally, I’ve had so much time off lately and I’m not sure my boss will put up with it for much longer. Oh, all right, don’t look at me like that. I’ll take the day off, but if I get the sack it’s down to you.’
‘Thanks, Mum.’
‘Angel may not be too happy about leaving here.’
‘She’ll be all right, especially when she sees her daddy.’
‘I hope you’re right, Sally, but I can see feathers flying when you try to move her out.’
‘She’ll soon adapt, especially as we’ll be here every day during the week, and we won’t be leaving until you come home.’
‘Yeah, but I’ll just get a glimpse of her when you arrive, and then another before you leave.’
‘Ruth,’ Sadie warned, ‘they need to be in their own home again, yet all you seem worried about is that you’ll see less of Angel.’
‘Yeah, yeah, you’re right. I’m sorry, Sal, but I still think Angel is going to kick up.’
‘No, she’ll be fine,’ Sally insisted, crossing her fingers and hoping that she was right.
The time seemed to drag by, but Sally filled the weekend by getting the flat aired and ready for Arthur’s arrival. She insisted that Angel wasn’t told that her father was coming home for two reasons. One – there was always the last-minute chance of Arthur’s release being delayed. She didn’t want to think about that, but with so many setbacks in the past, she was nervous of counting her chickens. And two – she had decided that the easiest way for Angel to accept the move, was by taking her straight to the flat after school. When she saw her daddy waiting for her, there was little chance she would want to leave him, making the transition easier.
At last it was Monday and Sally was almost hopping with excitement as she waited for Arthur’s arrival. It was the last day of February and soon spring would arrive, heralding new beginnings, which to Sally seemed apt.
There was the toot of a horn and rushing to the window, Sally saw Bert’s car. With a smile of delight she ran to open the door but, remembering how Arthur was adamant that he didn’t want to be treated like a cripple, she stood on the step as he carefully climbed out of the passenger seat.
Elsie clambered out of the back and, with a little assistance from his father Arthur adjusted his crutches under his armpits as he stood gazing at her. There was an air of expectancy about him, as if gauging her reactions, and Sally, seeing one trouser leg pinned up, found that she had to fight tears.
Now, clenching her fists with determination, she forced her eyes away from his leg, saying flippantly, ‘Well, are you going to stand there all day, or are you coming in?’
‘I’m coming in of course,’ Arthur said, carefully moving forward.
‘I hope you’ve got the kettle on,’ Bert said, his voice equally light. ‘I could do with a cup of coffee before I go back to the office.’
‘This is nice,’ Elsie said, as she walked into the sitting room. ‘What do you think of it, son?’
‘From what I’ve seen so far it looks great,’ and, turning a little clumsily on his clutches, he added, ‘I’ll have a look at the rest of the place.’
‘We’ll just have a quick drink and then we’ll go,’ Elsie said. ‘I’m sure you two want to be alone.’
Sally, though silently agreeing with Elsie, shook her head. ‘There’s no need to rush off.’
‘Bert has to get back to work, but I’ll pop down to see Arthur tomorrow. I know you’ll be with Sadie, so is there anything I can do while I’m here?’
‘Just make sure he has something to eat, though I wish I could stay with him.’
‘He’s a grown man, love, and he needs to feel that he’s capable of taking care of himself.’
‘Talking about me, I hear,’ Arthur said, as he returned to the room. ‘The flat is great, Sally.’
‘I’m glad you like it. Now, I’d best see about making us a drink.’
Bert and Elsie stayed for another half an hour, and then rose to leave. ‘Don’t get up, son. We can see ourselves out,’ Bert said.
‘I won’t argue with you, Dad, and have to admit that I feel a bit whacked.’
‘That’s understandable, but you’ll feel stronger as each day passes.’
Sally accompanied her in-laws out, but when she went back to the sitting room it was to find Arthur slumped in the chair with his eyes closed. ‘Are you all right?’ she asked worriedly.
He opened his eyes and for a moment they hardened. ‘I’m fine, and don’t mollycoddle me. Save that for Angel.’
‘Yes, sorry.’
‘Oh, love, it’s me that should be sorry. I’ve got a horror of being treated differently and I’m being oversensitive. After being in hospital for such a long time, I feel a bit disorientated, but it’s wonderful to be in our own place again. Come here and give me a proper kiss.’
Sally ran to his side and, kneeling by his chair, she threw her arms around him, her kiss passionate. Yes, he was being a bit snappy, but that was understandable if his stump was still painful. Despite her feelings to the contrary, she would be careful not to make a fuss of him.
Later that afternoon, Sally left to pick Angel up from school and, as her daughter ran out of the gates, she said, ‘Come on, I’ve got a lovely surprise for you.’
‘Where are we going?’ Angel asked as they turned in the opposite direction from Candle Lane.
‘You’ll see,’ Sally said, gently squeezing her daughter’s hand.
As they turned into Maple Terrace, Angel looked puzzled. ‘I don’t want to see that place again. I want to go home.’
‘I think you’ll change your mind, darling,’ Sally said as she opened the street door. ‘Go into the sitting room and see who’s waiting for you.’
‘Daddy!’ Angel screamed, dashing across the room.
‘Hello, princess,’ he said, holding out his arms.
Arthur pulled his daughter up onto his good leg, and Sally held her breath, worried that Angel might knock his stump. Angel gazed up at her father for a moment, and then looked down at his missing limb. ‘Daddy, when will your leg grow again?’
With a chuckle, Arthur said, ‘It won’t grow again, darling, but I’m getting a new one made for me. In the meantime I’ll have to get about on those things.’
Angel looked at his crutches, her eyes alight with interest. ‘Can I have a go on them?’
‘They’ll be too big for you. Now come on, tell me how you’re getting on at school?’
‘It’s all right, but Tommy doesn’t play with me now.’
‘When I was a little boy, I didn’t want to play with girls, and I expect Tommy feels the same. Surely you’ve made other friends?’
‘Yes, and they’re nice. Rita is my bested friend.’
‘Best friend, not bested,’ Arthur said. ‘Can we go home now, Daddy?’
‘We’re going to live here. You, me, and Mummy.’
‘I want to go back to Nanny’s house.’
‘What and leave me on my own?’
‘You can come too.’
‘No, Angel, this is our home now. Anyway, I need my princess to look after me. I thought you were going to be my special nurse?’
‘But . . .’
‘You’ll see Nanny every day, Gamma too.’
Angel sat quietly for a little while, her head cocked to one side and, for a moment, Sally thought her daughter was going to cry. But then she placed her hand on Arthur’s cheek saying haughtily, ‘Have you had your medicine today?’
‘No, nurse, I think you’d better get it for me.’
‘Mummy, where’s Daddy’s medicine?’
‘In the kitchen. I’ll go and get it for you.’
Sally quickly emptied a half bottle of cough syrup down the sink and then, rinsing out the bottle she filled it with cold tea. Returning to the sitting room and winking at Arthur, she said, ‘Here you are, Angel, give him a spoonful of this.’
‘I’ll have to put my nurse’s uniform on first,’ she said importantly, and then frowned. ‘Oh, no, it’s at Nanny’s house.’
‘No, it isn’t, pet. It’s in your new bedroom.’
‘Wait there, Daddy,’ Angel said as she scrambled off his lap, and ran out of the room, Sally following close behind.
The play outfit had been a Christmas present, but for some reason Angel had refused to wear it until her daddy came home. Now, with Sally’s assistance, she eagerly put it on, adding the white cap as the final touch. There was a little case to go with it, containing plastic instruments, including a pair of scissors, thermometer, stethoscope, and tweezers. A few bandages completed the kit, and now Angel grabbed it before running back to the living room.
‘Hello, nurse,’ Arthur said.
Angel picked up the bottle of medicine, and Sally forced herself not to intervene as she poured the liquid into a teaspoon, spilling some in the process. ‘Open wide,’ she said.
Arthur swallowed the cold tea and pulled a face of disgust. ‘Yuk, nurse! That’s awful.’
‘I know, but it’s to make you better.’ Angel then took out the plastic thermometer, and asking Arthur to open his mouth again, she popped it inside. Obviously, this was an impatient nurse, as seconds later she pulled it out again, her little face screwed up with importance as she read the gauge. ‘You have a temture,’ she said, putting the stethoscope around her neck.
Arthur hid a smile, this time not correcting his daughter’s mispronunciation of
temperature
.
She placed the stethoscope on his chest, and after listening to her daddy’s heart, she adopted a haughty pose. ‘I can’t hear anything so I think you should lie down and have a rest.’
It was too much for Arthur, as while he’d fought valiantly to hold in his mirth, Angel’s mannerism was the final straw and he roared with laughter.
Sally found it infectious and joined in, her heart swelling with happiness. Arthur was home at last, they were in their new home, and as their laughter subsided, their eyes met.
‘I love you,’ Arthur murmured.
‘I love you too,’ she replied.
‘What about me?’ Angel asked.
‘And we
both
love you,’ Arthur said, dragging Angel onto his lap again.
Sally smiled at the scene, pleased that the transition to Maple Terrace hadn’t been too difficult. It was only the first day, but if this was anything to go by, things could only get better.
That evening, Sally said, ‘Come on, Angel, it’s time for your bath.’
‘Daddy, you do it,’ Angel begged.
‘All right,’ Arthur said as he clumsily stood up and tucked his crutches under his arms.
Worriedly, Sally said, ‘Are you sure you can manage?’
‘Of course I can. There’s no need to treat me like an invalid.’
‘Sorry,’ Sally said hastily, but still watched nervously as they left the room. Their daughter could be a handful, and if the bathroom floor became wet, it would be slippery. Would Arthur be safe? She forced herself to stay where she was, but ten minutes later there was a yell.
‘Angel!’
Heart thumping, Sally flew to the bathroom.
‘What is it? Are you all right?’
Arthur was sitting on the side of the bath, his trousers and shirt soaked. ‘There’s no need to panic. We’re both fine. Well, apart from this little minx soaking me with water.’
White bubbles formed a small crown atop Angel’s red hair and, as she stood up, more coated her body. She held out her arms imperiously. ‘Get me out now.’
‘I’ll do it,’ Sally said hurriedly.
‘Right, that’s it,’
Arthur growled as he reached for his crutches. ‘As you seem to think I’m incapable, I’ll leave Angel to you.’
Clumsily he left the bathroom, whilst Sally grabbed a towel and wrapped it around her daughter.
‘Daddy’s cross,’ Angel said as they went to her bedroom.
‘He’s just tired, darling. Now come on, let’s get you dry and into your nightclothes.’
‘But I’m Daddy’s nurse.’
‘It’s past your bedtime, and even nurses have to sleep. Now come on, be a good girl,’ she said rubbing her daughter dry.
Angel consented to put her nightclothes on, but when Sally picked up a book and suggested a story, she shook her head, pouting. ‘No, I want Daddy to read it.’
‘I told you. He’s tired, darling.’
‘No, he isn’t.’
Sally held back the blankets as her daughter scrambled into bed, saying, ‘All right, I’ll get him.’
When she walked into the living room, it was to find Arthur slumped in a chair. ‘Angel wants you to read to her.’
‘Are you sure I can manage it?’ he asked, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
Sally’s face fell. When Arthur had arrived home that morning, he seemed fine, but as the day wore on she could sense a growing tension. ‘I’m sorry, love. I know I’m being overprotect ive, but it’s your first day home and I don’t want you to overdo things.’
‘I don’t need fussing over. If I can’t cope with something, I’ll tell you.’
‘All right,’ she said, but as Arthur stood up she thought she saw him wince. Was he in pain? With her eyes slightly un focused, she used her spiritual gift to gaze at his aura, but before she could concentrate sufficiently, Angela burst into the room.
‘Daddy, come on.’
‘All right, but only one story.’
He left the room, but not before Sally noticed that he really did look tired, perhaps another reason for his tetchiness. Once Angel was asleep she’d see that he relaxed and maybe he’d allow her to give him some spiritual healing.
At last we’re alone, Sally thought. Angela was asleep, and Arthur was sprawled out on a fireside chair with his eyes closed. She focused on his stump, frowning, yet seeing only a little darkness in the aura that looked nothing to worry about.
He opened his eyes, saw her looking at his leg, and his lips tightened. ‘Judging by the look on your face, you must find it repugnant, Sally?’
‘Don’t be silly. Of course I don’t,’ Sally protested.
‘All right, forget it then and switch on the television. There’s a programme I want to see.’
Sally did his bidding, and as Arthur stared at the screen, she remained silent. He hardly said a word for the rest of the evening, just thanked her briefly when she made him a cup of cocoa.
‘Arthur,’ she began, hoping he’d tell her what the problem was, but he cut her off, struggling to his feet and saying that he was going to bed.
‘Are you coming?’ he asked, not waiting for a reply.
Sally followed behind him, but in the bedroom one of his crutches caught on a bedside rug and he stumbled. She blanched as she rushed to his side. ‘Are you all right?’
‘Yes,’ he snapped, regaining his balance.
He then seemed to stand awkwardly by the bed and thinking that he didn’t want her to see his fumbling attempts to undress, Sally went to her side of the room, turning her back as she removed her own clothes. She then flung on her dressing gown, still not looking at Arthur as she headed for the bathroom. It was cold and Sally shivered, but to give Arthur time she washed slowly before cleaning her teeth.
Arthur was in bed when she returned, his eyes closed. He had always slept on that side, and had chosen to do so again, but that meant his stump would be next to her. She wanted to snuggle up to him, but what if she knocked it, causing him pain?
She eased herself carefully into bed, keeping a little distance between them and tentatively reached out to touch him. It was then that she heard a soft snore. Poor Arthur, he must have been exhausted and had already gone to sleep.
He was sure to feel better tomorrow, and as they had been apart for so long they were sure to make love soon. Angel had her own room again now and there was nothing to stop them. For now, Sally closed her eyes, smiling at the thought as she drifted off to sleep.