“I’m five! This is my mummy.”
“I’ve been looking forward to meeting you too, Lucy, just not under these circumstances.”
“And I’ve been planning next year’s trip for so long, looking forward to the time Daisy and Basil could be together again for a while, when she could meet Tom, and now...”
“Now we’ll get you home and give you a cup of tea and some time to catch up with yourself before we visit Mum.”
Guy, overhearing the comment, smiled and said: “Honey’s cure for everything, a cup of tea. It was the first thing she offered me when I arrived too.”
Having successfully relieved some of the tension Guy mounted Tom on his shoulders while still managing to manoeuvre a laden trolley with one hand, and led the small group to the car. Basil, his wife on one side and his sister on the other, followed with a second trolley. The shared load eased the burden and, for the time being at least, their spirits were lifted.
“You haven’t changed anything, Hon!”
She was pretty sure her big brother had tears in his eyes. Although he hadn’t been away as long as Guy it was four years since last he’d left Australia.
“We’re creatures of habit here. I even had comments when I added the bee logo though fortunately they were all complimentary. I’d probably have lost half my customers if I’d changed the décor. I can hear them now. ‘What, the old place wasn’t good enough for you? We don’t like change in Rills Ford, you know. I bet Daisy would have something to say’”.
The mention of her mother in a joke that was meant to lighten things only caused the mood to change immediately and tired though they were after the journey Basil and his family insisted on going to see Daisy straight away.
“If we stay here we’ll only fall asleep,” Lucy said to Honey while the men took the luggage upstairs. “It’ll help get us back into phase. Anyway, he wants to see for himself.”
“Yes, of course he does. Is that all right with you, Guy? Do you mind taking us again?” Honey asked him as they came back into the tearooms.
“No problem.”
Lucy and Honey hung back from the bed as father and son approached but it wasn’t Basil who provoked a reaction in Daisy, it was Tom. The boy was the image of his dad and whether she was for the moment living in the past or just that his excitement got through to her they couldn’t tell.
“Hello, Gran, it’s me. I’ve come in a plane to see you, all the way from ‘stralia.”
The lifeless hand that Basil had taken in his own twitched; something of a spark appeared in Daisy’s eyes as she turned her head to look at the child. There was no wondering for Honey this time if it was wishful thinking. The reaction was small but significant and it didn’t need Basil to say, “She tried to squeeze my fingers, I’m sure of it,” for them all to know that something had changed.
Guy rushed out to get the nurse who smiled when she saw Tom sitting on the bed, his had gripped in Daisy’s good one.
“Ow, Gran, that hurts.”
Lucy moved forward and praised the small boy.
“It’s because she’s so pleased to meet you at last, Tom. Aren’t you glad now we didn’t have to wait until you were six like we thought?”
“I’m delighted to see you all here and even more delighted at the effect you’re having on my patient but I think maybe another five minutes or so and then leave her to rest. It’s been a big day for her.”
Basil had been shocked at the sight of his mother looking so pale against the sheets. If it hadn’t been for her reaction and the reassurance of Honey and the nurse he’d have been in despair. As it was, he began to hope there might be some improvement. The last time he’d been in England Daisy wasn’t coping as well as could be expected with her widowhood and she hadn’t yet moved to The Grange. Tom was just a baby at the time and he and Lucy didn’t want to put him or themselves through the ordeal of such a long journey so Basil had made the trip to see his mother alone. The change in her since then had frightened him and she seemed somehow shrunken. Guy, who knew how hard his friend was struggling, tried to break his mood.
“It’s going to be a bit cramped with all of you at the Honey Bunny, Bas. How do you feel about letting Tom stay with me at The Grange while you’re here?”
Basil allowed himself to be distracted and Tom was thrilled with the idea. Guy was an old friend and had been a source of treats back home. It was decided though that for the first night he would stay with his parents in case there was any problem with his body clock adjusting. In any case the boy suddenly wilted and his father carried him up to bed.
“He didn’t even wake when I undressed him. I don’t think I’ll be far behind him either.”
An Unwelcome Visitor
There’s something about living in a small community. There can be lots of back-biting and attitude. Small factions can war with each other; reputations can be made or lost because of malicious gossip. When one of their number was in trouble though the whole lot of them, well most anyway, pull together, beginning in this case with another article written by Suzie in the Rills Ford Post.
Another Old Rills Fordian Returns to the Fold
Not long ago I used these pages to draw your attention to a planning proposal by renowned architect, Guy Ffoulkes. Whether you are one of those who agree or not your response was overwhelming. This time I would like to invoke your help for something that requires much more than signing a piece of paper. One of our own is in trouble. Daisy Bunting recently suffered a stroke and is at present in hospital. There can be few of us who haven’t in the past been the recipient of her comfort and advice which often came in words as well as in cake. Her son Basil has rushed with his family from Australia to be by her side. Little Tom Bunting, I am told, sparked a reaction in Daisy and we can all only hope that with time her condition will approve. Time is the important word here. The Buntings are spending as much of it as they can at Daisy’s bedside but Honey, her daughter, has a business to run and, as we all know businesses don’t run themselves; many small ones are at risk. While I know several of you have already rallied round I am using these pages to ask for a greater involvement so the family can be together at this difficult time.
There is no way Honey will relinquish the baking, which she does in the evening, to anyone else but I know she would appreciate having her days free to be at the hospital. Having her children around her could be a major factor in Daisy’s progress. I ask you therefore to join a rota to man the Honey Bunny Tearooms during opening hours. For those of you unable to work, perhaps your contribution could be to increase your visits to this important establishment in our community. Come on, we all like to indulge in a pastry or two occasionally. If you are able to help please phone or email me and I will take on the responsibility of organising a timetable. If we are not for each other then who are we for? On Honey’s behalf, because I know she would not ask for herself, please contact me and prove why it is I am so proud to be a part of this community.
Suzie was astonished when on showing the copy to Jack, and completely out of character, he picked her up and twirled her around. Embarrassed by this show of sentiment and what he considered to be his own unprofessional attitude he jumped away as the colour rose through his neck into his face and ears. Suzie thought it delightful but made a pretence of straightening her clothing while he regained his composure.
“I’m sorry, Suzie. I got a bit carried away. It’s just that it’s wonderful to think the Post can be instrumental in helping our own.”
“Erm, I take it that means it’s okay to run the piece?” she asked him, the reason she’d shown it to him in the first place.
“Not only that but, well, the paper takes its name from this town. It is our raison d'être; so don’t just run it, Suzie. We’ll give it the front page. Show them that at the Rills Ford Post we care about our neighbours.”
Suzie went back to her own office walking on air. She could still feel the strength of Jack’s arms where he’d held her. What she wasn’t awar
e of was that he was suddenly seeing her in a completely different light. She would have been more than happy had she known.
“How long will you be able to stay, Bas?”
“I’ve taken two weeks leave with the option to extend to three. It doesn’t look like Mum’s going to get better that quickly, does it? If at all.”
“I’m not so sure. Don’t be too quick to judge. The difference already is amazing. Okay, I’m convinced sometimes she thinks Tom is you but that’s understandable given the circumstances.”
“Circumstances?”
“Before this happened she was already struggling with trying to mend broken bones. I worried occasionally when I saw her shoulders drop, when it seemed it was all a bit much for her. Nevertheless she seemed perfectly happy most of the time. Before she had this stroke I used to get really upset. Now I just wish she was like that again.”
Basil looked at his sister, realising for the first time what a burden she’d been carrying alone.
“It’s all fallen on your shoulders, hasn’t it? I didn’t realise. When you’re that far away you don’t think. I’m so sorry, Honey. I wish I could have done more to help.”
“Well you’re helping now; at least, Tom is. She seems so pleased to see him I don’t think it matters if any of the rest of us are there or not.”
“And there is some improvement, isn’t there; even in the few days we’ve been here.”
“No doubt about it.”
“Look, if I have to take extra time then that’s what I’ll do.”
“Let’s take it a day at a time, Bas. Your job’s on the line as well. You have a family to support. You can’t stay away forever.”
Basil accepted the logic of what Honey was saying but it didn’t stop him feeling riddled with guilt.
There weren’t many people who had the power to intimidate Guy but his heart fell to his boots when he saw several suitcases standing in the hall of The Grange when he went home one day, leaving Daisy’s family with her at the hospital. He’d promised to go back for them later. There was no doubting who the luggage belonged to, both from its design and quantity. Summoning up his courage Guy went in search of Alexandra.
“Hello, Mother. This is a surprise. What are you doing here?”
“I’ve come home, Darling.”
Guy winced at the ‘Darling’ and the candy-sweet way the word was uttered.
“It isn’t your home. It’s mine. You live in France.”
“Not any more. Your father has taken up with some floozy. Oh, Guy, I can’t believe it. He was so horrible to me; not like him at all. He usually agrees with everything I say.”
Only for a peaceful life, Guy thought, but this wasn’t the time to say so.
“He told me he wanted me to leave. That he’d had enough of being a satellite and now he wants to be his own star. That he’ll make me a generous allowance but our marriage is over.”
At this point Alexandra dissolved into tears, not the false ones Guy had been so used to seeing when she dabbed at her eyes with a tissue while being careful not to disturb her beautifully applied make-up. This was real and descended into sobs so heavy he could almost feel the pain in his own chest.
“If that’s the case why didn’t you just take an apartment of your own in France?”
Alexandra looked shocked that he could even suggest such a thing.
“But everybody knows. I wouldn’t have been able to hold my head up. No, coming home was my only option.”
“As I’ve already pointed out, Mother, this isn’t your home and it isn’t an option,” Guy said, but he could feel the ground slipping under his feet. He could hardly turf her out into the street. “Have you thought about taking a room at the Rose and Crown? Since you left it’s been converted into a high class gastro-pub. The rooms have all had a make-over, each en suite and beautifully done. Luxury in every detail and I know it’s well thought of. The chef is superb. I know, I’ve eaten there a couple of times already since I came back.”
He wasn’t hopeful but it was worth the try.
“I couldn’t possibly. They hate me there. Anyway, why can’t I stay here?”
“There aren’t any spare rooms, Mother. The Grange is a residential care home and every room is occupied.”
He saw her cringe; knew it was the idea of the old house being used for such circumstances. She was perfectly capable of being a snob about its heritage even if it wasn’t her heritage.
“Yes, I know. I’ve already seen Betty Grant. She’s got a bit above her station if you ask me. A housekeeper.”
“She isn’t a housekeeper any more. She’s the manager and nothing happens here without her knowledge or approval.”
Guy was backed into a corner. Much as he’d like to have done he couldn’t put his mother in a hotel. Ultimately he knew he’d have to help her find a new home. He just hoped it wouldn’t be in Rills Ford. In the meantime the way he saw it he only had one choice. It worried him though and he’d have to talk to Betty about it. He was sure he could rely on her common sense to recognise the situation for what it was but all the same there was bound to be trouble ahead.
“Okay, Mother, until you decide what to do you can have my room. It has to be short term though. In the meantime, I’ll move to the Rose and Crown.”
“Oh thank you, Darling, thank you. I knew I could rely on you.”
Guy left Alexandra in the study where they’d been talking, picked up her luggage and took it to his room. After that he went in search of Betty to break the bad news. All things considered she took it fairly well but she too was a force to be reckoned and no longer in a position where she had to be deferential to her former employer. There was one thing Guy hadn’t thought of though until Betty asked: “What are you going to do about Tom?”
Dilemma for Guy
Suzie’s call for help produced results in much the same ratio as had her petition though this time the focus was on the pros rather than the cons. There were the few who asked, “What have they ever done for me?” but mostly the Buntings were held in affection by their neighbours. Aside from that, the very real risk of one of their businesses going under was something they would do what they could to avoid. Although they lived to some extent in a fairly closed community they were not entirely unaware of and certainly not immune to larger events happening outside their immediate sphere.
“It’s bad enough having that great big supermarket next to the industrial estate just outside of town,” Mrs Worthington was heard to remark.
Always practical Mary Simpson was known to have replied that the hated supermarket was keeping several of the local inhabitants employed. Nor was the population averse to using its facilities when it suited them. Rills Ford fell somewhere between being a large town and a small town; small enough to have that quintessential feeling that made visitors know they had escaped to the country and large enough to have a high street that supported a variety of shops that catered not just for its residents but was interesting enough to draw people, many of whom returned if not every year then certainly on a regular basis. The warm coloured stone and the period architecture which featured in many a tourist guide was one of the reasons there had been so much dissention about Guy’s plans for The Grange. Built in material garnered from the local quarry it was a local attraction and folk didn’t want to see it changed. Had they taken the trouble to visit the planning office themselves they might have been reassured but instead they had jumped to conclusions.
Honey, independent and self-sufficient Honey, shed a quiet tear in the privacy of her bedroom. Why would anyone want to leave this place where neighbours were friends and acquaintances became like neighbours? Suzie had taken action quickly and it was in no small part thanks to her that Honey wasn’t on the verge of collapse. Thanks to her and thanks to Guy. Honey had to acknowledge that without him she’d have been at her wits end. Even supporting Basil’s spirits and taking the weight off his parents by engaging with Tom were sufficient in themselves to make a huge difference.
She’d been dismayed when she learned of Alexandra’s return. She’d feared her as a child and was in awe of her as an adult. Nothing her common sense told her changed that. When Guy told her he’d moved out of The Grange her first reaction was antipathy towards his mother, her second what to do with Tom. Guy had been quite right when he’d said it would be crowded at home and though she’d never admit it she was finding it difficult to copy with Lucy and Basil sharing her bathroom and other facilities.
“Tom can come with me. There’s plenty of room.”
“I can just imagine Bas, or Lucy for that matter, allowing their son to live over a pub.”
“It’s a hotel, Honey. Families stay there all the time.”
Whether it was charm on Guy’s part or desperation on Tom’s parents, it was decided the boy should stay with his godfather.
The hospital didn’t allow visiting before lunch so, with more help than she could possibly have wished for, Honey took to baking in the mornings, thus leaving her evenings free for the first time in her adult working life.
“Tom and I would be delighted if you would join us for dinner this evening, Honey.”
“You and Tom?”
“It was his idea.”
“He’s obviously fed up with you already and needs a bit of light relief.”
“And you wouldn’t want to let him down, would you?”
“Of course not. What about Lucy and Bas?”
“That’s not very polite. I invite you for a meal and immediately you want other people to join us. I’m sending them in a taxi to The Grapes. I thought it might be nice if they had some time on their own.”
“That’s so nice of you, Guy. What a lovely thought.”
“Not at all. I want you to myself for a change.”
Is he flirting with me?
“And Tom of course,” she countered.
“Naturally and Tom of course.
“Then I’d love to. Thank you.”
Honey Bun Page 7
