Maureen squeezed Ron’s hand and he returned the gesture.
‘I thought I’d give a brief outline about how this new treatment is believed to work in the body.’ She held up her hand. ‘Don’t worry, it won’t be too technical! I won’t blind you with science.’
The audience laughed quietly and she began to show some slides and diagrams. Maureen’s thoughts drifted away to the subject of children and the general lottery of life. Her own sister had a child with severe autism and learning difficulties. At birth, he had appeared to be a healthy child but he didn’t develop as other children did and even now as a young adult his speech was very limited. He would need constant support throughout his adult life and would never be able to live independently. Perhaps it had been best that she and Hubert had not had children as she could imagine the strain it would have put on their less than ideal marriage.
She tried to focus her mind back on the speaker’s slides but it was so hard when she had Ron next to her whose own daughter had been so clever, yet had never reached adulthood. Life was so cruel and just thinking of this made her realise that despite Hubert’s treatment of her last night it was nothing compared with what the people around her were having to cope with.
The audience clapped and Dr Ostmuller sat down.
‘Finally, I’d like to introduce Gabrielle who is going to tell us about Ashburton House a new respite centre in the south-east. Gabrielle, please.’ She motioned towards the nervous looking woman who appeared to be in her late thirties or early forties. She held a sheet of paper which was quivering in her hand.
‘I don’t have any slides but there are some leaflets on the side about Ashburton House.’ She held up one of the leaflets to the audience. She coughed nervously and continued. ‘My son, James, became seriously ill in February this year. Up until then, he had been able to attend school albeit with many absences. When he began to vomit each morning it was clear things were deteriorating rapidly and would need an operation.’ She paused and coughed again.
‘Luckily he had a successful operation and as I didn’t work I could care for him when he came out of hospital but he needed such a high level of care and with our other two children I was becoming completely exhausted. My husband was working hard to support us all as we had a lot of additional expense with travel to medical appointments and so on. When the support nurses suggested he go to Ashburton House I was initially reluctant. My emotions were in turmoil. I felt guilty about not caring for him, even for a few days. I was worried that he wouldn’t be cared for properly as the nurses wouldn’t have long to get to know him and so on. I was so tired that I couldn’t think properly.’ Her voice began to waver.
‘Why don’t you sit down?’ asked the chairperson.
‘Thank you. Fortunately, my husband was able to make decisions and we went to check it out. I can’t tell you what an amazing place it is. James initially went for a weekend and just being able to sleep for two nights refreshed me in a way I didn’t think possible. We were also able to spend time with our other two children like a normal family. Since then he has had two more visits there and he enjoys it. Despite the children being limited by their illness, there is so much entertainment for them. Please give generously to support this amazing place.’
The talk ended and people clapped. It had been an emotional hour, Maureen had shed a few tears. She vowed to take a leaflet about Ashburton House and find out how to donate. There were more ways of helping cancer sufferers than the actual groundbreaking research. Finally, they were free to mingle whilst a few sandwiches and accompanying salads were brought out.
Maureen sat forward on the rather uncomfortable plastic chair and felt that her blouse was sticking to her back. She pulled it away and hoped that she didn’t have a wet sweaty patch visible. Her trousers likewise felt slightly damp and she stood to allow the air to circulate around her.
‘Are you OK, Ron?’ said Maureen, looking down at him.
He stood and stretched. ‘I think so, obviously, it’s been hard. But I just want to do what I can for the other parents.’
‘I know you do, it’s so good of you considering that Natasha missed out on some trials for the new treatments. Not everyone would feel that way.’
‘Why don’t you get some lunch? I need to speak to a few people if you don’t mind. I need to circulate and see as many as I can before they start to leave.’
Maureen was slightly surprised as she had assumed they would go over to the buffet table together. She didn’t know anyone at the meeting and realised she would have to keep introducing herself. Did she detect a slight coolness had come over Ron? Perhaps she was being oversensitive but he had somehow become rather detached and was avoiding direct eye contact as he scanned the room.
‘OK, well, I’ll see you in a while then.’
Ron smiled, ‘Take some sandwiches before they start to curl up!’
Maureen left Ron who started to talk to the couple he’d introduced as Greg and Lindsey. She noticed that he took out a business card from his pocket and handed it to the couple. They looked at it and began to ask questions. She carried on along the buffet table and selected a couple of tuna sandwiches, some crisps and a few salad leaves.
‘Hi,’ said a woman who appeared to be in her forties. ‘I’ve not seen you here before. I’m Belinda.’
‘Oh, hello,’ said Maureen, ‘sorry, I can’t shake your hand!’ she joked, gesturing with her plate and glass.
‘Are you on your own?’
‘Oh, no, I’m with Ron, Mr Radford, he’s over there. I’ve not been before, Ron and I have only just met.’
‘Ron’s been so generous to the support group and numerous charities. He paid for the lunch today and the hire of this place.’
Maureen nodded but was distracted as she saw Ron usher a man over to one side of the room and they chatted separately. Ron took a pen out and scribbled something down on the back of the card and they continued the discussion. She was suddenly aware that Belinda was still speaking to her.
‘Sorry, I didn’t quite catch that?’ said Maureen.
‘I was saying how fantastic it is that Ron has enabled this new drug to undergo clinical trials in Persford. It’s wonderful to keep some of the trials in the area where it was discovered.’
‘Oh, we are so excited in Persford. It’s so good for the University and the medical school,’ said Maureen with enthusiasm.
‘Do you have any direct experience of a relative with cancer?’ asked Belinda.
Maureen was slightly shocked by the directness of the question. ‘Er, no, I’m here to support Ron,’ she said and then realised of course only last night she had found out about Hubert but wasn’t going to go into all that now. Besides their links would soon be severed.
‘Well, nice to meet you,’ said Belinda. ‘I’ve just spotted someone I’d like to catch up with.’
‘Of course, nice to meet you too.’
Ron had finished with his first contact and scanned the room spotting someone else who waved at him. Maureen went to get another sandwich and a few crisps. She wandered over to a table which had information leaflets and found the one about Ashburton House. She slipped it into her handbag and continued to eat her sandwiches whilst looking at the display. From there she could look over towards Ron and once again Ron removed a business card and this time he and the couple wandered out through the open patio doors into the small garden.
Having finished her sandwiches she left the room and headed to the toilets and noticed Greg and Lindsey heading back in through the main door. They must have gone outside for some privacy. A slightly heated argument seemed to be taking place and the woman had tears in her eyes. Her husband had his face fixed in an angry grimace and marched back into the main hall and straight up to the buffet table. What these parents must be going through was unimaginable. It must put such a strain on a relationship that only the strongest could survive the anguish. Every day would be clouded by caring for a sick child and watching them deteriorate bef
ore their eyes.
As she was the sole occupant of the ladies’ room she again checked the plaster on her neck and was pleased to see that it was no worse, possibly slightly less obvious. She gave it another dusting of face powder and put a comb through her hair. After a quick squirt of perfume, she rejoined the group to find that numbers were dwindling. Ron saw her and beckoned her over.
‘Maureen? Everything OK?’
‘Yes, fine, it’s been very interesting and uplifting really, the parents I’ve spoken to are amazing. So positive in view of what they are going through.’
‘I know, that’s why I like to come here. It’s a great bunch of people.’
‘You are a dark horse, Ron,’ said Maureen.’
A flicker of panic passed over Ron’s face and his relaxed disposition of a few minutes ago faded before he quickly resumed his composure. ‘How do you mean?’
‘I mean you didn’t say you’d paid for the buffet lunch and the hire of the community centre or that you always do that. Someone called Belinda was telling me.’
‘Oh, that, it’s nothing. The least I can do. Now, I think we are about finished here. Let’s go and visit those gardens.’
As they left he had a quick word with a few people agreeing to meet up again in a couple of months. Just as they reached the main entrance they were aware of someone running up to them calling Ron’s name. It was Lindsey, this time without her husband.
‘Ron, before you go, can I have a quick word. I just need a bit more information about what we were discussing earlier.’
Ron took his car keys out of his pocket. ‘Maureen, why don’t you go and wait in the car. Have a rest, you look tired.’
‘I’m OK to wait,’ said Maureen.
‘No, really,’ said Ron firmly, getting hold of her elbow and steering her towards the door. ‘You’ve been standing for the last hour or so, take the weight off your feet.’
Maureen realised that Ron wanted her out of the way so she complied. It was slightly insulting though. One minute she was asked to come along and give him support, the next she wasn’t to be privy to some private conversation. She wandered out to the car and saw the other couple who had been talking to Ron leaving in a one-year old Bentley convertible. They waved casually at her and the car sped off once it turned on to the main road.
She activated the remote on the key fob and opened the car door to allow it to cool down. Ron emerged and joined her. He kissed her on the cheek and she gave him the keys.
‘So, did you manage to answer their questions?’
‘Yes, all sorted now.’
‘Oh, that’s good. What did they want to know?’
Ron, turned to her. ‘They just wanted some extra information about PersCure and ClinTry, that’s all.’
‘In addition to the websites?’
‘Yes, that’s right. I’ve given them Dr Dalton’s name. Now, let’s go and visit those gardens. What’s the postcode for the satnav?’
‘Oh, I’ve written it down,’ said Maureen looking in her bag. Ron appeared to be back to his normal affable self. Perhaps she could relax now that the emotional part of the day was over and it was time to spend some time alone with Ron.
Chapter 28
Annabelle and Brett were at home sitting on the terrace with Brett’s mother Veronica and her partner Rex. Fortunately, the lunch had proved a distraction and conversation had been fairly relaxed. However, now that they just had the garden to look at Rex felt he had the chance to expound on subjects he knew little about.
‘Your garden could do with a bit of a tidy up,’ he said critically. ‘There are some massive weeds in the lawn, you need to treat those before they seed and take over.’
‘Thanks for the advice, Rex,’ said Brett, ‘only we’ve been a bit busy recently.’
Annabelle glanced at Brett as if to indicate that he should just let it wash over him and not rise to the bait. It hardly mattered what Rex thought as they didn’t see them very often.
‘Anyone for another drink?’ asked Brett. ‘I’m going to open another bottle.’
‘No thanks,’ said Rex.
‘Mum?’
‘Oh, well, just a small glass, why not?’
Brett returned with the drinks and took a generous swig. He would need some help in order to get through the next few hours. It was fortunate that their guests were also visiting some friends not far away so would have to leave before dinner.
‘So, have you met your investment target then?’ asked Rex.
‘We certainly have. Indeed we’ve exceeded it by about twenty percent. It’s very exciting.’
‘Well, I just hope these university boys don’t waste the money. I know what they are like. Too used to spending taxpayers’ money. It would be different if they were spending their own.’
Rex had no experience of what it was like in a university department nor the constraints they were under nowadays but it didn’t stop him preaching about it.
‘It’s shocking what they are paying Vice-Chancellors nowadays. It’s been in the paper a lot recently. What do they do anyway? Not much from what I read. It’s time they were given a shake up. I hope yours doesn’t get a huge salary. Do you know what she gets?’
‘Er, no I don’t. I’m not an employee of the University anyway. We are consultants advising them on a business case.’
‘Hmph, same difference,’ muttered Rex. Suddenly he got up and walked over to one of the fence panels. He started to eye it up and stepped back. ‘This one’s a bit skewed, not straight. Can’t you see it from there?’ he shouted.
‘I hadn’t noticed,’ said Annabelle wearily.
‘You should get them back to see to that. Shoddy work that’s what that is. I wouldn’t have let them get away with it, would I Veronica?’
‘No, dear,’ she shouted and winked at Brett. ‘He means well. Take no notice.’
Rex wandered to the terrace and sat down again. There was a bit of an awkward silence after the last exchange.
‘I have to say this is a beautiful house,’ said Rex.
‘Thank you,’ said Annabelle. ‘We like it here. It’s quiet but convenient for everywhere.’
‘It’s a bit big for the two of you. It’s a real family home, don’t you think Veronica?’
‘Well, yes, I suppose so. It’s always nice to have space though.’
‘It would be great for children. Lovely garden.’
Brett could anticipate the next question, it was as if it was it was written across Rex’s face like subtitles on the TV.
‘Do you think you will have any children?’
‘Rex! That’s private. You can’t ask that sort of thing. Really! What’s got into you?’
‘It’s OK, Veronica. You’ll be the first to know, should we have any news like that.’ said Annabelle.
‘Well, don’t leave it too long will you. You’re not youngsters. There was an article in the Sunday supplement saying how men’s sperm count is dropping. I reckon it’s using a laptop which is responsible. I bet you use one don’t you, Brett.’
‘Of course, I do, we don’t use slates anymore.’
Annabelle kicked him under the table.
‘Well, a lot of men are finding they are the problem, not their wives. When I had my family with Annie, we’d only been trying for a month or so and bingo, she was pregnant.’
‘Too much information, Rex,’ said Brett. ‘Thanks for the advice. I didn’t know you were a sex counsellor as well as a seasoned businessman. Is there no end to your talents and knowledge? Goodness me, you could start an agony column in the local rag!.Ha! Dear Rex, I can just see it!’ Brett continued to laugh as the wine was obviously taking effect by now.
‘I think I’ll put the kettle on,’ said Annabelle. ‘Coffee? Tea? Perhaps you can come and give me a hand Brett?’ she said sternly.
The situation was diffused for the moment. Annabelle took Brett to one side and admonished him. The tension in the air was palpable but soon Veronica and Rex would be leaving and it
would be several months before there was another encounter.
**
Ron and Maureen had spent a relaxing afternoon looking around the National Trust property and had taken tea there before heading on to the country inn. It was a very smart pub with half a dozen rooms, more like a boutique hotel and they had a well appointed double room at the rear of the property away from the road. Maureen decided she wanted to take a relaxing bath whilst Ron caught up with some emails and business calls. Even though it was the weekend he’d had messages from his accountant Sidney.
At 7 p.m. they went down to the bar for pre-dinner drinks and looked at the menu. After a few minutes, Ron was the first to speak. ‘So, what do you fancy, apart from me? he joked.
‘Oh, I’ll have the melon medley followed by the sea bass I think. What about you?’ She smiled at Ron’s joke. The atmosphere between them this afternoon had been great. She had linked arms with him as they had wandered around the amazing gardens.
‘I’ll have pâté to start with and lamb shank. I’m very partial to lamb but can’t be bothered to cook it myself. I’m not supposed to have too much meat so I only have it when I’m out.’
‘This is a lovely hotel. Have you been here before?’
‘No, I just looked at reviews on the web.’
‘It’s so quiet and secluded, I love it.’
Ron smiled at Maureen and drank his wine. ‘I thought we could take a detour on the way back tomorrow morning, have lunch in the countryside somewhere.’
‘Sounds perfect,’ she replied.
‘Your table is ready,’ said the waiter.
‘Excellent,’ said Ron, smiling affably. He followed Maureen into the dining room where conversation flowed easily at their secluded table towards the corner overlooking the garden. When they weren’t eating, Ron slipped his hand over Maureen’s and they sat in companionable silence as if they had known each other for years.
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