by Kitty Neale
‘How bad is it?’ Bert asked.
‘The compound fracture needs immediate surgery. We wouldn’t normally operate so quickly following a concussion, but I’m afraid it can’t wait.’
The doctor then left and they were allowed to see Arthur. He managed to smile tiredly at them, his attention drifting shortly after the ward sister came to their side. ‘I suggest you all go home,’ she said. ‘There’s nothing you can do and he’ll be going down to theatre soon. You can ring the ward for information on his condition, and then return tomorrow.’
‘Can’t I see him after his operation?’ Sally asked as she released her grip on Arthur’s hand.
‘Mrs Jones, it will be very late by the time your husband returns to the ward.’
‘I don’t care . . . I want to stay.’
‘Very well, but you will only be able to see him for a minute or two.’
Sally bent to give Arthur a kiss, but he hardly seemed aware of her presence.
Elsie too kissed her son on the cheek. ‘Don’t worry, son. You’ll be all right,’ she choked.
As Arthur was given his pre-med, all three were again asked to leave, and not knowing what else to do they made for the canteen.
‘Sally, do you want a sandwich or something?’ Elsie asked.
‘No, I’m not hungry.’
‘We could be here for hours and you need to keep up your strength. Try to eat something.’
‘Later . . . maybe later.’
‘I can’t believe this has happened and why didn’t I see something in the cards?’ Elsie blurted out, her face lined with distress.
Sally gripped her hand. ‘I’ve had a feeling for some time that something awful was going to happen. I thought it would be my grandmother not Arthur. Oh, Elsie.’
‘Come on now,’ Bert cajoled, ‘you heard the doctor, he said Arthur’s going to be fine.’ This remark was followed by a wide yawn.
‘Why don’t you both go home?’ Sally suggested. ‘I can ring you as soon as there’s any news.’
‘What, and leave you on your own! No, we’ll stay and Bert is just missing his Sunday snooze, that’s all.’
‘I must ring my mother and should have thought of it before,’ Sally said. ‘Angel was upset when I left and as I doubt I’ll be home before her bedtime, I’ll be able to at least say goodnight.’
‘Have you got any change for the telephone?’ Bert asked.
‘I didn’t bring my handbag. I . . . I didn’t think.’
‘Oh course you didn’t. Here, take this and there’s a phone over there,’ he indicated.
Sally spoke to Angel, reassuring her daughter that her daddy was going to be fine. Then her mother came back on the line. ‘When will you be home?’ she asked.
‘I don’t know . . . I suppose soon after Arthur returns from theatre.’
‘All right, but I’d better ring work and tell them I won’t be in tomorrow.’
‘Why?’
‘Sally, wake up. I expect you’ll want to return to the hospital in the morning so you won’t be able to look after your gran. It’s a bloody nuisance and I’ll lose a day’s pay.’
Her pay, Sally thought. With all that had happened her mother was worried about a paltry few quid. She fought to quell the tide of hysterical laughter that bubbled up inside her, but found it impossible and doubled over with mirth, leaving the telephone receiver dangling by its cord.
‘Come on, come and sit down,’ Elsie said, rushing over to lead Sally back to her chair. ‘Bert, if Ruth is still on the line, have a word with her.’
‘Yeah, all right.’
‘Now, Sally, what brought that on?’
‘My mother,’ she spluttered, hiccupping as she gained her composure. ‘Arthur is in the operating theatre, yet all my mum seems worried about is money.’
‘Don’t take any notice of what your mum said. I’m sure she spoke without thinking and is just as worried about Arthur as we are.’
‘Oh, Elsie, you always see the best in people, but my mother can be very selfish at times. And what about me, laughing like that when Arthur’s in the operating theatre?’
‘We all react differently to stress and I’m sure it was just nervous tension that needed an outlet. As for your mother, she spent years when your father left worrying about money, and it’s a hard habit to break.’
‘Ken Marchant isn’t my father.’
Bert came back to the table, and sitting down he reached across to take Sally’s hand in his. ‘I told your mother that you’re all right. You are, aren’t you?’
‘Yes . . . thanks, Bert. Oh, how much longer will we have to wait to find out how Arthur is?’
‘It’s only been an hour since he went down to theatre, but if you like I’ll pop up to the ward to see if there’s any news.’
‘We’ll all go,’ Elsie said firmly.
There was no news yet but the ward sister allowed them to wait in a small side room where they sat quietly, each with their own thoughts and prayers.
Another hour passed, then another, until at last, a nurse poked her head around the door. ‘Mr Jones is back from theatre and sister says you can see him for a minute or two.’
All stood up quickly. ‘I’m sorry, but one at a time please.’
Sally tiptoed into the ward, her face registering distress when she saw Arthur. He looked so pale! She took his hand and he briefly opened his eyes, yet it was obvious that he was hardly aware she was there. His leg was encased in plaster, but he seemed unaware of that too as his eyes closed again. She bent forward, kissing his cheek, her voice a murmur as she said, ‘I love you, darling.’
After her in-laws had been to see Arthur the ward sister came out of her office, saying kindly, ‘The operation went well, and he’ll look a lot better in the morning.’
‘Thank you,’ Sally said, feeling faint with relief and, she now realised, hunger.
They were on their way home again, exhausted, yet happy to know that Arthur was going to be all right. ‘I’m so tired,’ Sally murmured.
‘It’s stress, love, but you can relax. The worst is over.’
Sally registered Elsie’s words and they played a drumbeat in her mind as her eyelids drooped. Yes, the worst was over, and she thanked God for listening to her prayers.
When they arrived in Candle Lane, Sally wasn’t surprised to see her Aunt Mary sitting in the kitchen, all three women looking at her expectantly as she walked into the room. Like in most families, past rows were forgotten when an emergency arose, and Sally asked, ‘How did you know about the accident, Aunt Mary?’
‘Your mother rang me of course. Now tell me, how is Arthur?’
Sally managed to say that he was going to be all right, but then to her surprise she found the room spinning. She swayed on her feet, Bert rushing forward to help her onto the sofa.
‘She’s as white as a sheet and it’s probably delayed shock. I think she needs to be in bed,’ Elsie said.
‘Yes, and a drop of brandy wouldn’t hurt,’ Bert added.
The room came back into focus again, the dizziness passed, and as a cup of strong tea laced with brandy was placed in her hands, Sally began to feel better.
‘I think Sally should eat something,’ Elsie put in. ‘She’s eaten nothing, no wonder she felt faint.’
‘I’ll make you a sandwich,’ Ruth said, bustling over to the cupboard.
It was Bert who answered their questions about the accident and Arthur’s condition, but then he smiled gently at Sally. ‘I’ll have to go to the yard in the morning to sort out drivers and deliveries. After that I’ll be down to run you to the hospital.’
‘I’ll be with him,’ Elsie said, and after Sally assured her again that she was all right, they said their goodbyes.
Sally ate her sandwich, suddenly alert when her Aunt Mary spoke. ‘I thought for a while that I might have to change my plans, but thankfully as Arthur is going to be all right, I can go ahead.’
‘With what?’ Sadie asked.
‘I’
m going to be away for a while. I . . . I’m going on a cruise.’
‘What!’ Sadie spluttered. ‘Have you won the pools or something?’
‘No, Mother, but I have savings. I’ve always wanted to travel and as I’m not getting married now, or getting any younger, I felt that this is as good a time as any.’
‘When are you leaving?’ Ruth asked.
‘In just over a week. I managed to get a late booking.’
‘What? That soon! What about your job?’
‘I’ve been allowed extended leave.’
‘You jammy cow,’ Ruth said sourly.
It was obvious that her mother was jealous, but Sally couldn’t blame her. She doubted her mother had ever had a decent holiday, her life a hard one, but Sally was pleased for her aunt. ‘I’m sure you’ll have a wonderful time, Aunt Mary,’ she said, ‘and I’ll expect a postcard from every port of call.’
‘And I’ll see that you get one,’ Mary said, smiling warmly.
Sally was unable to stifle a yawn, tiredness washing over her again.
‘Why don’t you get yourself off to bed?’
‘Yes, Mum, I think I will,’ Sally replied, saying goodnight and going upstairs.
The bed felt empty without Arthur beside her and Sally clutched a pillow to her chest, finding that despite her exhaustion it was impossible to sleep. For an hour she tossed and turned, her mind refusing to still. She should have known that Arthur had been in an accident, should have sensed something. So much for intuition. Yet even as this thought crossed her mind she felt a shiver run up her spine again. No, no, surely there wasn’t more to come?
Sally’s heart was full of fear, sleep still impossible and her head began to ache as she turned onto her back. It happened then, a familiar glow appeared, something she hadn’t seen since Angel’s birth. The room began to glimmer with a strange but beautiful translucent light. Her friend was here, the lovely presence had come, and as the soft light began to spread, she smiled with joy.
Slowly it seemed to drift towards her, and then Sally found herself enfolded, cocooned as wonderment replaced her tormented thoughts. She closed her eyes, a smile still on her lips, and as soft fingers seemed to caress her hair, she finally drifted off to sleep.
Chapter Twelve
When Sally awoke the next morning she was smiling as she recalled her dream. She’d been flying, free as a bird, skimming low over the rooftops. The dream had been so real, so vivid that she could still feel the exhilaration coursing through her veins.
She turned over, luxuriating in the warmth of the blankets, but then little niggles of worry began to pick at her mind. Last night the spiritual presence had come, one that as a child she had called her friend. When she was upset, hurt, or worried, this friend had come to comfort her as it had last night. Since her marriage to Arthur, she no longer saw it, sensing that perhaps it had disappeared because she no longer needed it.
So why now? Why had it come back now? Suddenly frightened, Sally shivered and flung back the blankets. Had Arthur taken a turn for the worse? Without stopping to put on a dressing gown or slippers, she ran downstairs, frantically dialling the number of the hospital. Come on, come on, she thought impatiently as she waited to be put through to the ward.
‘What are you doing up so early?’ Sadie asked as she came out of her room.
‘I could ask you the same thing,’ Sally said, but then pressed the phone closer to her ear as she was finally put through. She was aware of her grandmother listening as she spoke to a nurse, and then her shoulders slumped with relief as she replaced the receiver. ‘He’s all right, Gran. Arthur’s still all right.’
‘Sally, you’re shaking with the cold. Put your dressing gown on and crikey, your feet are bare. Do you want to get chilblains?’
She smiled happily at her grandmother, her footsteps light as she ran back upstairs, calling, ‘I’ll be back in a minute.’
In no time Sally returned to the kitchen, wrapped up warmly. She wondered again why the spiritual presence had returned. ‘Are you feeling all right, Gran?’
‘Yeah, I’m fine. Ain’t you looked at me aura?’
Sally adjusted her eyes, studying the halo of light surrounding her grandmother. There were dark patches, but these were familiar ones caused by her arthritis. ‘I think you need a bit of healing. I can see your arthritis is playing up.’
‘You always know when I’m in pain and it still gives me the willies.’
Seeing nothing else to worry about, Sally was perplexed. Why had she felt there was worse to come?
She glanced at the clock, deciding to get ready before getting Angel up for school. However, at that moment there was a flurry of movement as her daughter scampered into the room, hair tousled and a worried look on her face.
‘Where’s my daddy?’
‘He’s still in hospital, darling, but don’t worry, he’s fine.’
‘I want to see him.’
‘Not today, but soon, I promise.’
‘But I want to see him now!’ And as Ruth walked into the room, Angel cried, ‘Nanny, tell Mummy.’
‘Tell Mummy what?’
‘That I want to see my daddy.’
‘Come here, pet.’
Angel ran to her nanny, and leaning forward Ruth gently stroked her granddaughter’s cheek. ‘Your daddy is a bit poorly and needs to rest. When he feels better you can go to see him, and when he comes home you can be his nurse. We’ll get you a nurse’s uniform. Would you like that?’
‘Yes, Nanny, and can I give him medicine?’
‘Of course you can.’
Peace reigned then, and just after Ruth left to take Angel to school, Bert and Elsie arrived. ‘You’re earlier than I expected,’ Sally said as she opened the door.
‘Elsie came to the yard with me, pestering me to get a move on. The drivers have been sorted out and the rest can take care of itself for a while. Are you ready to go?’
‘I don’t like to leave Gran so do you mind waiting until Mum comes back? She’s just taken Angel to school and won’t be long.’
‘Of course we don’t mind waiting. It’ll give us a chance to say hello to Sadie.’
Sally took them through to the kitchen, hardly listening as they chatted to Sadie, her thoughts again on Arthur. The ward sister had said he was comfortable, but was she just being kind?
As Ruth left Candle Lane, Angel’s hand gripping hers, her mind was on her sister. She envied Mary going on a cruise, but then Tommy Walters fell into step beside them, his cheeky grin in place.
‘Watcha, Angel. Where’s yer muvver?’
‘My daddy’s in hospital and she’s gone to see him.’
‘’Ospital! Why’s ’e in ’ospital?’
‘He got run over.’
‘No, he didn’t, Angel,’ Ruth said. ‘Your daddy was involved in a car crash, but thankfully not a bad one.’
‘Has he got broken bones?’ Tommy asked, his eyes wide.
Puffing with importance, Angel said, ‘Yeah, loads of them.’
‘Angel, that isn’t true!’ Ruth protested. ‘He’s broken his leg, that’s all.’
Tommy fixed Angel with an accusing glare. ‘Gawd, you ain’t ’arf an effing liar.’
‘Now that’s enough of that language!’ Ruth snapped, cringing and hoping that Angel didn’t repeat the word in front of Sally. She hastily changed the subject. ‘Do you have school dinners, Tommy?’
‘Nah.’
‘Have you got a packed lunch then?’
Tommy shook his head, but before she could question him further he shouted, ‘Come on, Angel, race yer to the end of the lane!’
Like a flash they were off, both skidding to a halt when Ruth screeched, ‘Come back here!’
She hurried towards them, crouching down to take one of Tommy’s grubby hands in her own. ‘If you don’t have school dinners, or a packed lunch, what do you get to eat?’
‘Stuff,’ he said. His eyes lowered. ‘I manage.’
‘I always save him so
me of mine, Nanny.’
‘Oh, is that a fact? And how do you get it out of the dinner hall?’
‘I shove it in my pocket.’
‘What! If you’ve ruined your coat your mother will do her nut,’ Ruth exclaimed, pulling Angel to one side and hastily checking her pockets.
‘It’s all right, Nanny. I don’t put any runny stuff in there.’
‘She gave me her jam sponge on Friday, and even though there wasn’t any jam left on it . . . it was smashing.’
Ruth sighed heavily. ‘Here,’ she said, taking some money out of her purse. ‘This week you’ll have school dinners.’
His large eyes rounded. ‘Cor, fanks, missus. Blimey, I wish you was my nanny too.’
Still holding his hand, they began to walk again, and as Tommy looked up at her, Ruth’s heart flipped over. Dirt and all she was still drawn to the child.
When they reached the school gates, Ruth bent to kiss Angel. ‘Now, be a good girl.’
Tommy’s little chest puffed, and with a look of importance he said, ‘Don’t worry, missus. I always look out for her.’
Unable to resist, Ruth pulled him into her arms. ‘You’re a good kid.’
Shooting her a look of surprise, but pink with pleasure under the grime, Tommy gave Angel a shove. ‘Come on, that’s the bell.’
Ruth watched the two of them as they ran into the playground, then turning she made her way home again, wishing that she could do more for Tommy.
As soon as they reached the hospital it was obvious to Sally that Sister Moody wasn’t pleased to see them. She frowned as they approached, saying, ‘It isn’t visiting hours yet and the consultant will be arriving soon to do his rounds. We have a strict routine that must be adhered to.’
Bert, already well over six feet, towered over the woman. ‘We would like to see our son, if only for a few moments.’
