A Long Way From Home

by Cathy Glass

  ‘She understands now,’ Danny said.

  ‘But she didn’t understand before?’ Elaine asked, immediately concerned. ‘Dr Ciobanu was supposed to have explained.’

  Danny shrugged, clearly uncomfortable about blaming the doctor. ‘It’s difficult for a small child to understand,’ he said. ‘I told her she is going to have a wonderful life with her new mummy and daddy in England.’

  ‘Thank you,’ Elaine said, sitting back.

  ‘Don’t worry,’ Danny said a moment later. ‘Everything will be good when you get home. You have medicine to make her sleep on the plane?’

  ‘Yes,’ Elaine said, surprised he knew.

  ‘Good. Children can be frightened on the plane so the doctor gives the parents medicine to make them sleep.’

  ‘So other couples who have adopted see a doctor here?’ Elaine asked.

  ‘Yes. Most do.’ Which made Elaine feel a bit better; they weren’t the only ones to have had concerns.

  A few moments passed and then Anastasia said something very quietly to Danny in her own language and he replied.

  ‘What did she say?’ Elaine asked.

  ‘I told her she doesn’t have to go to the orphanage any more.’ This wasn’t exactly what Elaine had asked, but she didn’t pursue it. Danny was a decent guy and wouldn’t have said anything untoward. ‘All will be good,’ he said, then began chatting to them in English about Christmas and how his kids were already very excited.

  There was no further conversation between Anastasia and Danny during the journey, although Elaine saw her watching him carefully. Fifteen minutes later they pulled into the airport and Danny parked in one of the drop-off bays and fetched a trolley. Ian drew Anastasia out of the car and took Elaine’s hand luggage, which contained among other things a change of clothes for Anastasia, the small bottle of sedative and her biscuits. Danny loaded their cases onto the trolley and Ian paid him and included a good tip. They both thanked him for being their driver and wished him a Merry Christmas. He shook their hands and then said, ‘Bye, Anastasia. You be a good girl.’ She immediately threw her arms around him and hugged him.

  He laughed good-humouredly but again Elaine felt it was slightly odd that Anastasia could spontaneously show affection to someone she barely knew, but not to them. Perhaps Danny reminded her of someone or perhaps it was simply because he spoke her language. It was impossible to know. With a parting goodbye, Danny returned to his cab, and Ian pushed the trolley towards the departure hall as Elaine walked beside him, holding Anastasia’s hand.

  ‘Airport,’ Elaine told her as they went. ‘We are going on an aeroplane.’ She felt excited at the prospect, even if her daughter didn’t. It would become so much easier once Anastasia learned English, which Elaine would concentrate on once home.

  Their plane wasn’t due to leave for another three hours, but the flight information board showed their check-in desk was open. ‘Excellent,’ Ian said. ‘We can get rid of all our cases and then have breakfast. I might even have a beer.’

  Anastasia was fascinated by all the people with their luggage and stood still watching them as they waited in line to check in. They had been warned to expect some questions about their child’s status and Ian had the adoption papers ready in his briefcase to show if necessary. As it was, the check-in agent only asked, ‘Is she your daughter?’ as she looked at her passport. Ian said yes and Elaine nodded, then they were asked to load their cases onto the conveyor belt one at a time. The agent tagged them and sent them on their way, then handed Ian their passports and boarding cards, pointing out the gate number they would need later. The first stage of their journey home was completed.

  They decided to go through security clearance first before they ate, as there would be a better selection of restaurants and cafés on the other side. Anastasia was mesmerized by security and the queue that slowly snaked its way forward through the scanner, having never seen metal detectors before. One small child, fractious from waiting, threw a tantrum, screaming and kicking his father as he tried to pick him up. Elaine was so pleased it wasn’t them having to deal with it, as people were looking. Ian walked through the scanner first, followed by Elaine, holding Anastasia’s hand, then they collected their hand luggage from being X-rayed. ‘All done,’ Ian said to Anastasia.

  Having checked the flight information board, they used the toilets and then found a restaurant that served a full English breakfast. Elaine was hungry too, having only had a coffee at the hotel, and ordered the same as Ian. They also ordered a child’s portion of the cooked breakfast in the hope that Anastasia, seeing them eating it, would follow suit, although it hadn’t worked at the hotel.

  ‘Good girl,’ Elaine praised as Anastasia sat nicely at the table and they waited for their food to arrive. She was interested in everything going on around her, studying people and what they were doing.

  ‘She’s like you, a people watcher,’ Ian said, and Elaine laughed.

  When their food arrived Elaine cut up Anastasia’s and then watched her out of the corner of her eye as she picked up her fork. They were delighted when she began eating and amazed when she finished most of her breakfast. It was the first proper meal she’d had since the adoption over a week before. ‘Good girl!’ Elaine exclaimed, kissing her cheek.

  ‘Well done!’ Ian said, and smiled at her across the table.

  Although Anastasia might not have understood the words, surely their expressions conveyed how happy they were with her, so why didn’t she return their smile or look pleased instead of just staring at them blankly?

  ‘You don’t think there could be something wrong with her, do you?’ Elaine asked Ian, still watching Anastasia.

  ‘Like what?’

  ‘Autism?’

  ‘Of course not!’ Ian said sharply. ‘She’s just overawed by everything that has happened. It’s been an incredible and stressful experience for us, and we were well prepared, so imagine what it must be like for her.’ Which of course was perfectly true, and Elaine felt bad for even suggesting there was something wrong with Anastasia.

  Having settled the bill, they wandered around the shops in the departure lounge, keeping an eye on the flight information board. They bought some small gifts for their family and friends – hand-painted coasters, fridge magnets and the like. Ian said he was going to have the beer he’d promised himself but he’d be quick. As he went to the bar, Elaine took Anastasia to watch the planes through the viewing gallery. Ian joined them when he’d finished. Forty-five minutes before take-off, the flight information board changed to show their gate number, and a message came over the public address system to say that all passengers on their flight should make their way to the boarding gate.

  ‘Medicine!’ Elaine exclaimed, having previously forgotten.

  ‘Don’t worry, there’s still time for it to work,’ Ian said, ‘and if it doesn’t, Anastasia will be interested in the take-off.’

  ‘I’m not so sure. It could upset her.’ Elaine delved frantically into her hand luggage and took out the small plastic bottle of medicine and spoon.

  Anastasia didn’t mind taking the syrup, it was very sweet. Elaine returned the bottle and spoon to her bag and they made their way to the waiting area by the departure gate, which was filling quickly. A couple moved along a seat so the three of them could sit together. Elaine took a book from her bag to keep Anastasia amused. It explained with large colourful pictures and short sentences what happened during a flight. Ian had read it to Anastasia in their hotel room to help prepare her and Elaine read it again now. But Anastasia was more interested in what was going on around her.

  ‘She’s being a good girl,’ the woman next to them remarked.

  ‘Long may it continue,’ Elaine replied with a smile.

  ‘Indeed, for there’s nothing worse than a screaming child on a long flight,’ the woman returned, stony-faced.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Settling In

  Anastasia didn’t like having to stay in her seat on the pl
ane.

  ‘It’s just until take-off,’ Elaine said as the last few passengers boarded. ‘Then you can sit on my lap.’

  They had three seats together and Anastasia was by the window, but there wasn’t much of interest to see at present, just tarmac and the wing of the plane. Elaine was sitting next to Anastasia and Ian was in the aisle seat. To keep Anastasia occupied they’d taken a selection of books and activities from their hand luggage, which was now stored in the overhead locker. Elaine couldn’t get Anastasia interested in the books and toys. She squirmed and moaned, then got off her seat again and tried to squeeze past Elaine. Elaine was already flustered and it could be a while before the sedative took effect. Ian suggested they change seats so he was next to Anastasia and he lifted her into her seat, fastened her lap belt and gave her his phone to play with. This kept her reasonably occupied until they were ready for take-off, when the captain’s voice came over the public address system and asked that all electronic devices be switched off and put away, ready for take-off.

  ‘You can have it again later,’ Ian said, trying to swap his phone for her toy one. It didn’t work; Anastasia’s grip tightened and, not wanting a scene, he let her keep it until the stewards approached making their last-minute checks, when he took the phone from her. This was a first for Anastasia; until now, Ian and Elaine had always given her what she wanted and, like many children her age, she wasn’t happy about not getting her own way. She threw all the books and toys off her lap onto the floor, then struggled to get out from under her seatbelt again. Ian tried talking calmly to her, explaining that she had to sit in her seat for take-off. ‘Look!’ he said, pointing to the view through the window. ‘The plane is starting to move.’

  Anastasia gave it a cursory glance and then wriggled down under her lap belt as the plane began to taxi towards the runway. Ian sat her upright and tightened the belt. She pulled at the belt angrily, tried to unfasten it and when she couldn’t, temper got the better of her and she began kicking the back of the seat in front. Ian put his hand on her legs to stop her but the man in front had already turned round and Elaine apologized. Her cheeks flushed. She could feel other passengers looking at the spectacle Anastasia was making, and the woman they’d sat next to earlier in the departure lounge was only a few rows in front.

  ‘Look!’ Ian said again, pointing to the window and trying to distract Anastasia. ‘We’re going to take off soon.’

  The plane had taxied to the end of the runway and taken up its position. The engines revved and then they were moving faster and faster. Anastasia stared through the window, her face very serious as they hurtled down the runway. ‘We’re going up into the sky!’ Ian said. But the sudden change in air pressure made their ears pop and Anastasia clamped her hands over her ears and screamed.

  ‘Swallow, love,’ Elaine said, leaning across Ian. ‘Just keep swallowing. It won’t last long.’

  Anastasia wasn’t the only infant upset by the change in air pressure; further behind them a baby had started to cry.

  The plane continued its ascent and Anastasia screamed. Then she took her hands from her ears, babbled something in her own language and struggled frantically to get out of her seat, perhaps thinking she could leave the plane. Ian placed a restraining hand on her lap. ‘When the seatbelt sign goes off you can sit on my lap,’ he said, which was meaningless to her. She kicked the seat in front again, and again Elaine apologized and willed Anastasia to behave.

  Finally the plane stopped climbing and the change in air pressure eased. Anastasia relaxed and, putting her thumb in her mouth, rested her head back and gazed out of the window. ‘Look at all those fluffy white clouds. Aren’t they beautiful?’ Ian said. But Anastasia’s eyes were heavy now as the medicine kicked in. She sucked her thumb and a few minutes later she was asleep.

  ‘Thank goodness,’ Elaine said, with a huge sigh of relief. ‘Hopefully she’ll sleep for most of the flight. Can you put the blanket over her? I can’t reach.’

  Ian took the blanket provided out of its sealed plastic bag and draped it over Anastasia. He held his wife’s hand and they began to unwind. The seatbelt sign went off and the stewards came down the aisle with the drinks trolley. Ian suggested to Elaine that they buy a half bottle of champagne to celebrate. They hadn’t actually toasted the adoption and what better time than on the plane going home with their daughter?

  As they sipped champagne from plastic wine flutes Elaine turned to Ian. ‘I’ve been thinking about Anastasia’s name,’ she said. ‘It’s quite a mouthful and rather unusual in England. What do you think about shortening it to Anna?’

  Ian thought for a moment. ‘Yes, good idea. I like that. Let’s drink to our daughter Anna and her new life in England.’

  Anastasia, or rather Anna as she was now to be called, remained asleep for most of the flight. She missed the in-flight meal but Ian and Elaine weren’t worried. She’d had a good breakfast at the airport and could make up for it later at dinner after they’d landed. They gazed at her as she slept, her head relaxed back, lips slightly parted and so peaceful. Her thumb slipped from her mouth and Ian stroked a few wisps of hair away from her cheek. She was certainly a very beautiful child, but then they would have thought that about any child who was theirs.

  When Anna woke it was with a start. She sat bolt upright, staring around, clearly wondering where she was. ‘You’re on a plane,’ Ian said gently. ‘We’re nearly home, we’ll be in England soon.’

  She looked at him blankly as she usually did when they talked to her, probably because she didn’t understand. Elaine offered her one of the juice drinks she’d bought at the airport. ‘Thirsty? Drink?’ she asked, and Anna nodded.

  The captain’s voice came over the public address system and announced they would be landing in thirty minutes. Elaine took Anna to the toilet before a queue formed. Then, still slightly drowsy from the medication, Anna was content to sit in her seat and gaze out of the window until the plane began its descent. As the air pressure dropped Anna covered her ears and began moaning loudly, then shook her head roughly from side to side as though trying to clear the popping. Ian soothed her and Elaine told her to swallow, but they were very relieved when the plane finally landed. ‘Thank goodness we had the sedative to give her,’ Elaine said quietly to Ian. ‘Or it would have been a lot worse. I doubt she would have settled at all.’

  ‘She did well – her first plane journey,’ Ian said positively.

  With the plane parked ready for disembarkation, Anna was content to sit in her seat and watch all the hustle and bustle going on around her, as passengers stood to retrieve their hand luggage and mobile phones bleeped. Ian suggested waiting until the crush had eased before they left, then they stood, retrieved their hand luggage and, with their coats on, followed the other passengers off the plane and into the much cooler air of the jet bridge. Elaine held Anna’s hand and reassured her as they stepped onto the moving travelator. It was another new experience for her. As they waited for their luggage Anna grew restless again, so Elaine gave her the last of the fortified biscuits. ‘Proper meals for you from now on,’ she said. Anna stared at her blankly and munched.

  Thankfully there wasn’t much of a wait at passport control, and three-quarters of an hour after landing they were outside in the long-stay car park, looking for their car. It was dark now in early evening in winter and the lamps in the car park weren’t that bright. A little disorientated from the flight, it took them some minutes to locate their car. While Ian stowed their luggage in the boot, Elaine helped Anna into her car seat. Brand new and now being used for the first time, Elaine adjusted the belts so they fitted snugly over Anna’s shoulders and around her lap. ‘We’re going home,’ she told her with a smile and kissed her cheek. Making sure her little hands were clear of the door, she closed it and joined Ian in the front.

  As Ian drove Elaine fed a CD of popular children’s songs into the player. The first song was ‘The Wheels on the Bus’, which was a long-time children’s favourite that Elaine
knew by heart from her own childhood. She turned in her seat so she could see Anna and gently sang along. The second song was another children’s classic – ‘If You’re Happy and You Know it Clap Your Hands’. Elaine and Ian began singing, and Elaine clapped her hands. Yes, they were happy, very happy indeed, and as Anna joined in clapping Elaine’s eyes filled. There’d been many times when she’d thought they’d never have a family and now here they were. She was so grateful, she said a silent prayer of thanks.

  It was after 8 p.m. when they arrived home but their house wasn’t cold, nor was their fridge empty, as their good neighbour had been in. She’d also left a present for Anna and a congratulations card. Anna unwrapped the present – a soft toy – and Elaine put the card on the mantelpiece with the one they’d already received from Ian’s brother, sent at the time of their first trip to adopt. They were tired, needed to get organized, and didn’t feel up to speaking at length to family and friends, so texted them to let them know they were all home safely and that they’d phone as soon as they’d recovered from their journey.

  Ian showed Anna around the house, telling her the English name for the rooms, while Elaine made them something to eat. She was delighted when Anna finished most of her dinner; it seemed to bode well for her future eating. Elaine then took Anna upstairs to get ready for bed as Ian unpacked the essentials from their cases – they’d do the rest tomorrow. As it was getting late she just gave Anna a wash and brushed her teeth that night; she’d have a bath tomorrow. Then once she was in bed, Elaine and Ian sat beside her and read her some bedtime stories. It was a special moment and one they’d treasure forever: Anna’s first night in her very own bedroom. They’d chosen the furnishings together, a white-and-pink colour scheme with a Cinderella patterned duvet cover and matching curtains and rug. The shelves contained an assortment of soft toys, books, games and toys, and brightly coloured mobiles hung from the ceiling, turning in the air. The wardrobe and drawers held a good selection of clothes and shoes, which would be added to as she grew. They took photographs of Anastasia in her bed on her first night, but they couldn’t persuade her to smile. ‘She must be very tired,’ Ian said, feeling this was the reason.