by Lotte Moore
Without a word Theo got up, walked out of the front door and disappeared for two hours. He returned on the doorstep covered in snow, bedraggled and calling out to Sergei. “You can’t ask me to choose!” He fell into his arms sobbing.
“You’re soaking. Come, take off your jacket and get warm.”
Theo began to tremble. Sergei wrapped a rug round his shoulders, sat him down close to the stove and leant against his knee.
“I’m getting warmer now,” Theo said quietly. “I think I’ll go to bed.”
“Sleep well,” muttered Sergei, more confused than ever about Theo’s inability to answer his direct questions.
*
The pair went for a long walk in the nearby forest. They hardly spoke, instead they simply enjoyed each other’s company.
After lunch, Theo went to practice at the next door neighbour’s house as he had before, returning three hours later to find Sergei preparing supper. It was a comfortable, reassuring scene that he took great pleasure in.
“I wish we didn’t have to go back tonight,” said Theo.
“Me too,” agreed Sergei sadly.
They talked non-stop during the car journey back to Moscow.
“Coming in for a drink?” asked Sergei, stopping outside his apartment.
“Yes, I’d love to,” said Theo, ruffling Sergei’s hair.
“Do you want to stay the night? There’s a spare room,” added Sergei.
“Yes, I do,” said Theo. “And thank you for being so understanding. I do love you but I’m not ready to…”
“I understand,” said the Russian.
Once indoors, they listened to some beautiful recordings, both sprawled on the sofa, sharing the emotions of Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto No.2.
*
Having slept well, Theo woke up keen to get going at the rehearsal. It was an important run-through of the whole piece. It went fantastically well. He felt as if his playing had never been more fluid or technically precise.
The rehearsal finished at midday and as he walked out of the hall, he glanced at his phone messages and saw there was one from home. He dialled the number and was surprised to get Bella.
“Miss Vivi has been rushed to hospital. Ring her, Mr Theo. Maybe it’s the baby. I am here with Georgie and Jago, who are asleep,” she said in one long, rapid sentence.
Theo searched his diary for the maternity hospital number. After endless minutes, he was put through to a Sister who told him that Vivi had been rushed in at 10.30pm with her contractions increasing.
The doctor tried to prevent the baby coming out early but a seven weeks premature boy had arrived at 3.30am. Both of them were in intensive care. Vivi had lost a lot of blood and the baby’s breathing was very weak.
“Oh my God! Please, please give her my love. I’ll catch the next plane home,” he said agitatedly, tears running down his face.
He phoned Sergei immediately and explained the urgency of the situation, begging him to book a plane as soon as possible.
While Theo packed his brown bag, Sergei stood rigidly watching him. Theo’s mobile rang. It was Serena.
“Have you heard the news? For God’s sake, come back now! Poor Vivi’s alone and in a terrible way. So is your son. I’m off to see them now and Jonty is coming up in a couple of hours.”
“Oh Serena, tell her I’ll be there as soon as the plane arrives. I can’t imagine how she must be feeling. I feel so guilty that I wasn’t there when it happened.” Theo rang off as Sergei picked up his case and walked out to the car.
“I know you have to go now, but what about us? You can’t keep ignoring my questions” begged Sergei.
“We can discuss all that when I return. Vivi and the baby are what matter right now—they need me.”
Theo abruptly slammed the car door and Sergei drove them the airport in complete silence.
A grey drizzle dampened the tarmac. Theo deftly wove in and out of the crowd at Arrivals and got to the passport stand first.
A surly woman examined his Russian visa, delaying his anxious wish to race to the taxi rank. A few hours later, Theo ran to the reception at Queen Charlotte’s Hospital. He dashed to the nearest lift and jabbed the ‘up’ button repeatedly.
“It’s out of order, that one,” said a porter.
“Where can I find my wife? She’s been put in intensive care,” Theo urgently asked a nurse who was standing by the other lift.
She gently directed him to the private wing where a bustling sister with a clip-board approached him.
“Can I help?”
“Oh. I hope so. My wife, Vivi Hanover, has been brought into intensive care. Where can I find her?”
“Room five. She’s just had a transfusion.”
Theo pushed open the door, his anxiety almost exploding as he checked himself and gently moved towards Vivi who was propped up on several pillows. Her eyes were shut, her hair hung limply round her pale face. The oxygen mask rose slowly up and down.
Theo leaned towards her forehead, kissing it tenderly.
“Oh, Vivi darling, I’m so sorry not to have been here when all this happened. Can you hear me?” He stroked her hand as she slowly opened her eyes.
Vivi raised her mask slowly. “Have you seen our son?”
A Scottish nurse reapplied the mask. “Please let your wife rest now. I’ll take you to the premature clinic.”
As Theo entered the warm room, he saw ten life-support machines between masses of pipes, each attached to incubators containing tiny babies who’d arrived too early. The nurse pointed to his fair-haired, sleeping son.
Theo had an overwhelming urge to hold him, but the nurse in charge said he was on steroids to develop his lungs and must remain in his cosy incubator. He stroked the baby’s precious round head then reached in to fondle his son’s miniscule yet exquisitely long fingers.
“It’s pure magic: a miracle,” he whispered. “Just being here with him. I don’t know how he sleeps with all these bleeps and wires.”
“They sleep all the time in this unit,” the nurse replied. “Let me take you back to your wife, she needs you so much. We nearly lost her at one point she was haemorrhaging so badly, and she’s still weak, but I’m sure she’d like to know that the wee boy is fine and looks just like his daddy.”
Vivi lifted a hand to greet him. He slid onto the bed beside her and whispered, “Our son is beautiful, but I couldn’t see the colour of his eyes because he was asleep.”
Her arm entwined in his, but she didn’t open her eyes. “Your wife needs to rest. You can come back at lunchtime tomorrow,” the nurse said gently.
“Yes of course.” Theo kissed Vivi on the forehead. “I’ll see you soon.”
Chapter Six
Chiswick
Just as he reached the front door, Theo’s mobile rang.
“Hello, it’s Beady. How’s Vivi? She is not answering her phone.”
“I’ve just come back from the hospital. She’s lost a lot of blood, but seems to be stable. She won’t be answering her phone any time soon though,” said Theo.
“Well, I’ll go and see her now,” announced Beady.
“I don’t understand… where are you?” he asked.
“I’ve just arrived at Heathrow, so I’ll catch a taxi. It’s room five isn’t it?”
“Err, yes, but she’s very tired and can hardly talk,” Theo said. “I was told to come back tomorrow.”
“I understand that, but I’m her mother and I must go to her.”
As Theo opened the front door, he heard screams of laughter and found Jago dressed as Batman, chasing Georgie and a friend who were covered in sheets, bouncing down the stairs.
“Oh Daddy!” Georgie rushed over and hugged him, followed by Jago. “Have you heard about poor Mummy? Have you seen our new brother? Have you—”
“Yes, my lovely girl. I’ve seen Mummy and your baby brother. They’re both doing well.” Theo poured a large whisky and sank into an armchair.
“Hello, Mr Theo. It’s real
ly good to see you,” said Bella. “The children have been so good. Is Mrs Beady coming later? Shall I do a chicken pilaf for you both?”
“Yes, she will be here this evening. That would be splendid, thank you Bella,” said Theo, who suddenly felt exhausted. “If you could just feed the children now. I just need to rest for a bit.”
Beady arrived by taxi looking very jaded to find Theo in the living room, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes.
“Poor girl,” she said. “And for this to happen when there was no one there to comfort her. Mind you, she’s always been brave, and your son looked very peaceful.” She paused and smiled. “Anyway, you’re back, that’s what matters.”
The phone rang.
“Theo, are you in London?” demanded Serena.
“Yes, I’ve just got back from the hospital.”
“Oh, thank God! What’s the latest?”
“She’s very fragile. I was shocked to see her on oxygen and hardly able to speak,” said Theo quietly. “I wish I’d been there when it happened. Your mum’s just arrived. Here, have a word with her.”
He handed the phone to Beady.
“Yes, the babe has one special nurse looking after him twenty-four hours a day and he’s so tiny, but they said he’s doing well. Poor Vivi, what an awful time she’s had, I wish I could help her. Mind you, the nurse said she’ll be stronger in a few days.”
“Oh, thank heavens for that. Listen, I’m at the office, why don’t I pop over?” Serena asked.
“Yes do—I’d love to see you.”
Serena arrived half an hour later and they discussed arrangements for the children during the coming week and visiting times for Vivi. Serena suggested Georgie stayed in Aylesbury with Alicia. She could help Cheryl get ready for the gymkhana.
Chapter Seven
London
Serena visited the hospital every evening at 5pm. She could see Vivi gradually recovering. One day the oxygen mask was off. The next day she was sitting up in bed.
“Any little tasties you’d like me to bring you next time?” she asked.
“Yes, I’d love some smoked salmon.”
“No probelm.” Serena got up and pulled on her silk pashing. “Oh, by the way, Georgie and Alicia are having a wonderful time helping to prepare for the gymkhana. Cheryl’s giving them lots of jobs and keeping them busy. Georgie sends you a thousand hugs and is missing you.”
“I miss them too,” groaned Vivi.
“I’m sure. And what about the new one? When are they going to let you see him?” asked Serena.
“Tomorrow, with any luck. Oh, and did I tell you, Theo’s suggested we call him Sebastian.”
“Very stylish,” said Serena.
“Do you think so? I rather had my heart set on Felix.” “Felix!” Serena pulled a face.
A week later, Vivi was walking back from the Premature Baby Unit just as Theo arrived.
“How lovely to see you up and dressed. You look much better my darling.”
“Do you want to go and see little Sebastian? I do wish he could sleep beside me here, but he’s not strong enough yet. At least I’m expressing my milk for him, so he gets all the nourishment. Oh, Theo, I wish you’d been here. I felt so helpless, I couldn’t stop him coming early. The contractions overwhelmed me. I so needed to hold on to you. Don’t go away again till he comes home—please,” Vivi begged.
Sergei’s face flashed through his mind. How will I tell him that I won’t be back anytime soon? I miss him but I can’t leave Vivi. Not now.
“Of course not, darling.” He kissed her tenderly on the lips. “Let’s both go and say hello to our beautiful son.”
They took it in turns to hold his tiny hands and stroke his blond head. The nurse in charge chatted encouragingly to them, saying his breathing was getting much stronger and Theo and Serena caught each other’s eye and beamed.
Chapter Eight
Aylesbury
“This is your great day,” announced Jonty, giving Cheryl a big hug.
Lots of children were arriving as Alicia and Georgie helped put on their boots and hats and showed the visitors where to wait. Cheryl had three volunteers to help with the small jumps and to control the selection of young teams.
Quite a large crowd of parents, carers, and visitors stood excitedly round the paddock all waiting for the local MP to arrive for the prize giving. The buzz of children’s laughter echoed across the fields.
Soon the ponies were led into the paddock. The riders with the most severe disabilities raced first, proudly trotting towards Cheryl at the finishing post. A nine-year-old girl won. All the children cheered.
Before long, eight groups had taken part in the races. Then it was time for some events that involved small hurdles; a few ponies were stubborn and refused to lift their chubby legs over. One or two children fell off, laughed, and were helped on again.
Towards the end, Georgie, Alicia, and a few other helpers wearing fancy dress costumes galloped round blowing giant bubbles for the other riders to catch amid squeals of laughter.
Lang sat next to the local MP and chatted jovially to her throughout the event. Jonty had a list of winners, plus several rosettes ready for the prize giving which was very moving. Some of the children couldn’t walk to the table, so the ponies collected the badges amid cheers for each child.
Alicia and Georgie got a rosette each for ‘best assistants’ and were beaming as the MP pinned them on their jackets. Everyone celebrated with homemade cakes and scones.
The MP, Mrs Welling, gave an enthusiastic speech, praising Cheryl for a marvellous new riding centre and for all her excellent work. “The enthusiasm and pride of all those riding in the competition is rewarding indeed, and this is the best event I’ve been to locally in a long time. My congratulations to you all,” she said. She walked around meeting and chatting to the children.
“What a fantastic afternoon my Cherry Berry,” Jonty said kissing her.
A little boy who had limited hearing and sight walked up to her, helped by his Mummy, with a bottle of Champagne. “Here you are, Miss Cheryl.”
“I wish Mummy was here,” whispered Alicia to Lang.
“Yes, mine too,” said Georgie pensively.
“Thanks for your wonderful help, girls. You too, Lang.” Cheryl kissed them all. “We must go up and see Vivi and the baby soon. How about next Tuesday?”
Chapter Nine
Wiltshire
Serena left earlier than usual to meet Oleg Paranovsky at his Wiltshire home. She arrived at a beautiful Jacobean mansion set amongst elegant lawns and formal gardens. As she drove up a long drive surrounded by cornfields, a huge lake appeared on the right with a pair of graceful weeping willows dipping into the water. It was a breathtakingly serene place. A large studded wooden door opened.
“Welcome, Mrs Mayne.” The Russian seemed taller than before. “If you could please follow me.”
They climbed up a broad staircase to the first floor. “Now, this is my master bedroom.” He opened the door to reveal an enormous four-poster bed with faded tapestry curtains. A log fire was glowing under an ornate mantelpiece. “This is where my wife does her writing sometimes.”
He pointed to an antique bureau close to an elegant standard lamp. Several silk-embroidered armchairs stood beside the fireplace.
“I’d like you to choose the wallpaper and replace the bed curtains to match it in any exotic materials you choose. We have another, smaller room, along the corridor with a similar bed. I’ll show it to you.”
A door opened on to a smaller room.
“This needs lighter walls as it’s north-facing, maybe ochre? The four-poster maybe in light grey and green brocade, perhaps?”
Serena was amazed at the opulent rooms.
“Perhaps you would consider designs for the dining room later? Let’s go down and discuss the contract.”
His wife met them in the hall. “This is Serena Mayne who is going to change our lives in the bedroom.” He laughed.
“Hello
, I’m Marisha, I’ve heard a lot about you.” A tall lady with blonde hair in a chignon held out one elegant hand and guided her into the vast drawing room.
“What a beautiful space,” exclaimed Serena. “I love that big samovar. Did you bring it from St Petersburg?”
“Yes, it reminds us of our home in Russia,” Marisha replied.
Oleg Paranovsky wrote out the suggested contract and handed it to Serena. “I’ve increased the original fee, which I hope meets with your approval. Can you start preparations this week?”
“Yes, I’ll be here on Thursday, I just have to finish a job in Kensington during the next few days.” Serena read through the contract and thanked him for the increased fee, far beyond anything she’d expected.
“I’ll send a car for you every day if you’d like that?”
“Thank you very much.”
Serena drove off feeling very pleased with the new prospect of working in such opulent surroundings. It was a great challenge too. She was longing to tell Lang. She could finally see the light at the end of their financial trouble. Soon they would be able to get their dream home again.
Chapter Ten
Chiswick
Vivi was finally well enough to go home but also upset that she couldn’t take Sebastian with her.
“You can see him every day when you bring in his milk,” reassured the nurse. Theo put his arm round Vivi who was weeping as they left the unit.
Jago bounded up to her as Vivi entered the house. “Mummy, Mummy, I’ve missed you! Have you left the baby behind?” he asked anxiously.
“Hello, my lovely boy,” she replied, hugging him. “Yes, your little brother has to grow bigger before he can come home.”
“Oh Vivi, you’re home at last—looking better too,” Beady said.
They all sat down to lunch. Bella was clearly thrilled to see Vivi home.
“Lang and Serena rang to say they’ll bring Georgie back tonight. I’ve missed her,” said Theo.
