by June Tate
‘How very noble of you! But, of course, under those circumstances, you would inherit his money, let’s not forget that. I’m sure you didn’t!’
‘That didn’t enter my head for a moment. What a dreadful thing to say!’
‘Come now, Ann, I’m sure it did at some time or another. Please don’t lie to me.’
‘Well, when I was sitting in the house, before the funeral, I did wonder.’
‘I read about the funeral in the papers. It was well attended.’
She looked horrified. ‘It was in the papers?’
‘Oh yes, with lots of pictures. All the local inhabitants now know who you really are. I’ve had some strange looks when I’ve been to the local shops. Not that anyone has said anything, well not to me, but I expect it’s been the topic of conversation ever since. Never mind, Richard’s money will allow you to move to something bigger, elsewhere.’
This was even worse than she’d imagined. Now they could no longer stay in the village, they’d have to move. She looked at Clive, took a deep breath and spoke:
‘Richard left me a hundred pounds a month, that’s all. He left his estate, apart from a few bequests, to Helen Havers. So you see, I am not the wealthy widow. He’s paid me back for leaving him.’
Clive looked at the sad figure sitting opposite him. He was still angry with the way she’d left him to return to London, but he was pleased that Richard’s funeral went well and without any scandal. After all he was the injured party in this mess. Knowing Ann as he did, he knew she’d be devastated that Helen was the beneficiary of the will, but he could understand Richard doing this. After all, she’d worked with him during the war and that must have been dreadful. Why would he reward his wife who’d left him for another man?
‘So what now, Ann?’
She was uncertain. Clive’s anger was still obvious. Would he still want her? She really didn’t know at this moment and it scared her. If he didn’t, she was alone with a small annuity to keep her.
‘Do you want me to leave?’ Her voice was barely a whisper.
‘And go where? Don’t be silly, woman. I am the cause of Richard writing you out of his will, therefore I’m responsible for you.’
She felt weak with relief. ‘Honestly?’
He came and sat beside her. ‘Honestly. We’ll have to move from here and start again, but at least you are no longer a married woman. You are free to do as you wish. In time we could get married, if that’s what you want, but as you know, we’ll be living a different kind of life. I’ll get a job and we’ll just be an ordinary married couple.’
She couldn’t hold back the tears any longer. When at last she’d recovered, she put her hand to Clive’s cheek.
‘I do love you, you know. We were happy together until Richard died. I didn’t mind living a different life, if it was with you.’
He smiled at her with affection. ‘We’ll give our notice to the landlord and move out. I’ll look in the papers for a job, then we’ll decide where to go. Now, let’s get something to eat, I’m really hungry.’
Ann watched him walk into the kitchen knowing how lucky she was to know such a man and vowing never to disappoint him for standing by her. She would marry him in time and this time she would have a happy marriage, of that she was certain. It would be a very different life from what she’d been used to with Richard, but now she didn’t care any more about position. She’d experienced living alone and had hated it. But Clive loved her, despite everything, and that was worth a fortune to her. He’d always look after her – and care for her as she would for him.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
During the time she waited for the probate to be settled, Helen had given much thought to the considerable amount of money that would be hers and had decided to put it to good use. She’d been looking around the area on the days she wasn’t working at the hospital and had found an old house that once had been a boarding school. It had been on the market a while and the owners had dropped the price. As she walked around it with the estate agent, she became more and more excited. This building, with some reconstruction, would be ideal for what she had in mind. She then arranged for a builder to look around and give her an estimate for the work involved. Then she went to the office of the estate agent and made an offer before she went home to tell James of her plan.
‘You what?’ James looked at her with surprise.
‘I’ve put an offer in for an old boarding school, just outside of Evesham.’
He frowned. ‘But I don’t understand, why would you do that?’
‘I want to put my inheritance to good use and I’ve decided to open a home for the treatment of the troops who came back from the war and are still having the same problems as you. I’ve an estimate from a builder for what needs to be changed and the decoration. The dormitories will be used as bedrooms for the patients. I thought I could have them dig up the back garden and grow vegetables as you did in Devon, with the appropriate staff, of course.’
‘It’s a wonderful idea, darling, but how long before you run out of money?’
‘I’ve thought of that. I’ll make it a charitable home so public funds will allow me to continue. I thought I’d get in touch with your man in Devon. What was his name?’
‘Dr Arthur Hurst.’
‘Yes, him. I thought he could advise me on the best way to run it. What do you think, James?’
He shook his head but he slowly smiled. ‘I think you are wonderful. Richard would be so proud of you, I know I am. It’s a great idea, if you can manage it.’
‘Will you come with me tomorrow and look at the place? I could do with your input. After all, who better to tell me if it is viable?’
‘Indeed I will. It’ll be an outing for Rebecca too.’
The following day the three of them drove to the school to be met by the estate agent and were allowed to wander around unhindered, Rebecca toddling with them on her reins. James could immediately see why his wife had chosen this spot. In his mind it was ideal and he became as excited as she was. They were even more thrilled when the estate agent informed them her offer had been accepted.
‘I thought I’d wait to give you the news after you had looked around to make sure you still wanted to buy,’ he said.
‘Oh, we certainly do,’ Helen told him. ‘Let’s go to your office now and I’ll sign any necessary papers.’
It was nearing Christmas so they decided to wait until after the holiday before starting any renovations. In the meantime, Helen, who had now given in her notice at the hospital, spoke with Arthur Hurst and told him of her plan and he kindly agreed to come up to Evesham and meet them, look over the site and help in any way he could with advice.
‘I’ll be delighted, Mrs Havers,’ he said, ‘and to see your husband again and have a chat with him.’
So it was arranged.
Meantime, Helen and James told Edward of the plan. He was thrilled with the concept and said he would like to make a contribution to the fund also, which was unexpected but would be a help towards the initial outlay, allowing Helen even more breathing space, financially. By mid December, she was the proud owner of Richard Carson House. She had long decided to call it after her benefactor; after all, without him, none of this would have been possible.
Shortly after, Arthur Hurst arrived and went with Helen and James to look over the school. He agreed that it was ideal, so they returned to the farmhouse for lunch and a chat.
As they sat at the table, Helen turned to Arthur. ‘Obviously I can’t do what you do, but I would like your advice as to what I can do to help these men, so any ideas would be so very welcome.’
After much discussion it was eventually decided that the home should be more of a refuge for the men who were still struggling to survive, due to the mental stresses they were enduring. Here they would do manual work in the garden, as James had done. The vegetables grown would be a help towards the food bills. Hens and pigs could be kept and cared for and they also would help towards the food chain as well as give the
men jobs looking after them, keeping them clean. They would have dartboards, board games, books to read and writing facilities to fill the patients’ leisure time.
‘Don’t get involved with surgical cases, Helen, although it’s your field. Take only those who need nominal nursing. Yes, wounds to be dressed, if necessary, otherwise your money will soon run out. The men need to be occupied and worked during the day, and rested after. They need a place where they can find peace and unwind whilst they cope with their traumas. But I would suggest a psychiatrist is essential to let the men talk about their experiences. If you do all that, my dear, you’ll be doing so much good to these poor devils. But I have to ask you one question, Helen. How are you going to finance this, other than with your inheritance?’
‘I’m going to register it as a charity, but to do so, I have to find three trustees first.’
‘No, my dear, you only need find two. It would be my pleasure to be the first one.’
‘I can’t thank you enough, Arthur. That’s wonderful, and today you’ve already been a great help.’
‘It is my pleasure and you can call me anytime if you have a problem.’
‘I’ll leave you two alone whilst I look after Rebecca,’ she said and left the room.
‘You’re looking remarkably fit, James,’ Arthur said. ‘How are things with you after all this time?’
‘Good, mainly thanks to you who started me on the road to recovery. I rarely have a nightmare these days, what with work and young Rebecca. Truth to tell I’m too damned tired when it’s bedtime.’
Laughing Arthur said, ‘There speaks a contented man.’
‘I’m still edgy in confined spaces but I’ve learnt to cope with it most of the time and I no longer hit the floor if I hear a loud noise, as I used to do, to my great embarrassment.’
‘You’ve come a long way and I’m delighted to see it. Helen must have been a great help to you, with her nursing experience. She would understand your illness more than most women.’
‘My wife is an extraordinary woman, as you’ve seen for yourself. I am a lucky man.’
‘You are indeed. But when she opens this home, you could be a help to her patients by talking to them about your own experiences. After all, you would understand exactly what they’re going through.’
‘To be honest, it’s all happened so quickly I’ve not thought of that, but of course I’d gladly step in, if needed. What about riding? If I was to take my horse over and walked it on a lead rein, the patients could ride. Is that a good idea?’
‘Indeed it is. It would give them an added interest and add to their confidence.’
James beamed at his mentor. ‘Great. I’ll tell Helen what you said.’
Christmas was a happy family affair at the farmhouse. Both sets of parents came over to stay and helped to entertain Rebecca now that she was a little bit older. She was in her element unwrapping her presents and, to everyone’s great amusement, then ignored all the toys to climb into an empty cardboard box where she stayed for most of the afternoon.
‘How typical,’ Edward remarked. ‘The simple things are the best.’
On Boxing Day, Helen laid out a cold buffet for everyone to help themselves and afterwards they all visited the stables to see to the horses. Christmas decorations hung over the stalls. As James said, ‘They have earned the right to celebrate too,’ as they were all given sugar lumps to hand out.
He picked up Rebecca to allow her to give hers to Valiant. Having been used to horses all her short life, she wasn’t afraid and held out her small hand for the horse to take the offering, giggling as he did so.
In January, the builders moved into the Richard Carson House and started the renovations: new wiring was installed; new floors laid in some of the rooms; windows replaced; new doors fitted; walls plastered; the interior painted in cream; Helen had curtains made for the windows; beds were ordered, as well as new bedding; chimneys were swept; old fireplaces replaced with new, where required. Slowly it began to take shape.
Arthur Hurst had passed the word around among his colleagues, letting them know about the house, knowing there would be patients forthcoming in the near future.
Helen had advertised in various medical journals and among her associates in the medical field and to her great delight, Edward had offered to be her second trustee. Not only that, but he said that a wealthy friend of his, Gerald Roberts, a retired businessman, was interested in the project and would like to be a third. She was thrilled – and relieved. They all had the knowledge to be of enormous help in the running of the business side of things. Then she started looking for her staff.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
It was now April and Richard Carson House was to be opened. Everything was ready, the staff in place: a doctor, psychiatrist, two nurses and two male nurses, plus a gardener to direct the men working in the garden. The local papers were there and the national press, interested because the house was named after the late but eminent surgeon who had also left part of his estate to the British Legion. The military background was the major point to it all, especially as Helen had been in the war with Sir Richard and had worked with him. It was a great human interest story and the publicity a boost to the charitable side of it.
All three trustees were there and Arthur Hurst cut the ribbon, then gave a heartfelt speech, talking about the men who had returned from the war but who still were suffering the traumas of their time under fire and how the house would play a major part in their recovery. He also made the point that it was to be run as a charity and any donations would be more than welcome. He also mentioned that Helen had financed the buying of the premises and the renovations, but now needed the public to help her continue this vital work.
‘These men were the survivors of a terrible war and we owe them a future,’ he said. ‘They faced the enemy on our behalf and are still suffering. We have a duty to help them. I am honoured to be a trustee of this endeavour and will do my very best along with the other trustees to see it flourish and succeed. Tomorrow, our first patients arrive, may they be the first of many that we can enable their recovery.’
There was enthusiastic applause from the invited guests: bank managers, businessmen, those from the medical world, all summoned by Hurst and Helen. Men who were in a position of power who could help keep the coffers flowing. They were all given a tour of the house, during which it was explained what plans they had to treat the men who were in dire need of their help.
At the end of the day Helen was thrilled at the offers of financial help that had been promised.
When eventually all had left, apart from the family and the trustees who sat down to dinner back at the farmhouse, they were all exhausted, but filled with hope. A bottle of champagne was opened in celebration.
James stood up.
‘I would like to propose a toast to my wife Helen, an amazing woman whose idea has today come to fruition.’ He held up his glass. ‘To Helen!’
They all got to their feet. ‘To Helen!’ Then they resumed their seats.
She blushed with embarrassment, then she too rose from her chair.
‘Thank you, everybody, but don’t forget, if Richard hadn’t left me the money none of this could have happened and neither could I have done it without my three wonderful trustees. I thank you gentlemen from the bottom of my heart … and James who encouraged me instead of telling me I was mad to even consider such a move.’
Arthur Hurst had decided to stay on for three days to help monitor the first patients and advise the staff on their treatment. After that he would be returning to Devon but would come up at regular intervals to advise. Helen was giving him a bed at the farmhouse during his stay and was delighted with his help, which would be invaluable.
And so it began. Helen walked into the house the following morning dressed in her nurse’s uniform, with Arthur, as the first patients arrived and were taken to their rooms. Here they had a bed, a locker for their clothes and a chest of drawers. The dormitories were not unlike a
rmy barracks but with a more homely touch. Then they were shown the public rooms and the facilities.
‘Blimey!’ said one, ‘I might stay here for ever! This is a might better than my place.’
He was even more enthusiastic after eating a hearty lunch.
‘Can I book in indefinitely?’ he asked Helen.
She laughed as she answered, ‘I’m delighted you like us, but we hope to send you home a fitter man.’
‘Oh, Nurse, that may take some time.’ But he grinned broadly as he spoke.
One or two were much quieter and withdrawn, but Helen understood this and let them get settled in their own time.
Arthur had a chat to each patient that day and met with the medical staff and in particular the psychiatrist, later going over each man’s file with them. They had ten men in all, with more arriving in the morning. Tomorrow the first arrivals were to be sent to dig the vegetable garden.
‘Oh, I remember that day well,’ James remarked over dinner that night. ‘I couldn’t imagine it was part of the treatment, well not for a while, anyway.’
Arthur chuckled at the memory. ‘I remember too. But my goodness it made you and the others fit.’
‘Slave labour, that’s all it was!’ James teased, then turning to Helen he asked, ‘Well, darling, how did today feel to you?’
‘Exciting! I loved every moment. I remember just what a difference it made to you and there are a few today who I can already see really need us and that’s why we are here.’
‘I’ve already suggested to James that he could be a great help chatting to these men. He understands just how they feel and what they went through. His intervention could be most helpful.’
‘I’ve already thought of that,’ Helen said. ‘I’ll wait and see who can benefit from this the most to begin with. But I can see he’ll be called to assist a few times. Nothing helps more than someone who has seen what they have and suffered the same. When they realise how well he’s come through it all, it will give them some hope.’
