Not What it Seems

by Pamela Fudge

  Connor came back very quickly with the quilt and pillow requested, he also brought coats for Owen and I. ‘I’ve told the girls to stay inside,’ he said quietly, ‘it won’t help to have them blubbing all over the place.’

  Thankfully it seemed no time at all before the blue flashing lights announced the arrival of the emergency vehicle and we all stood back as the very efficient male and female team took over. They seemed to know at a glance what was wrong and carefully easing Arthur onto a stretcher made ready to load him into the ambulance and take him off to A and E.

  ‘Will someone be coming with him?’ the young lady asked. When I stepped forward she asked me to wait, then followed Arthur into the back of the ambulance.By the time I was allowed inside and reminded to use the seatbelt before we set off, Arthur already had various devices attached to finger, arm and wrist and a screen close by was providing readings, I sat quite stunned and still shivering, but impressed by the speed of things, as the ambulance pulled away and the paramedic set to work completing was looked like an awful lot of paperwork.

  Arthur was whisked away the minute we reached the hospital and I made my way to the reception desk to see if the young lady needed any details from me. When Owen arrived I had never been so glad to see anyone in my life.

  ‘Arthur will be all right, won’t he, Owen?’ I practically threw myself at him, gripping the front of his coat with icy fingers, desperate to be reassured.

  ‘I’m sure he will be,’ Owen’s tone was firm and he took my hands into the warmth of his own. ‘He’s a tough old bird, you know.’

  ‘But he was in so much pain.’ Weak tears trickled down my cheek and I had never felt more useless.

  ‘Jake seems pretty certain he’s broken his hip, just as Connor thought. That’s the danger at Arthur’s age. Why the hell didn’t I go round for him sooner?’

  Owen sounded so cross with himself that I hastened to assure him, ‘It wasn’t your fault. I was the one distracting everyone. I should have remembered he was waiting.’

  *

  By the time we finally left the hospital, having sat a while with a philosophical Arthur, feeling relief that he was at least in safe hands and the enormous guilt that we had allowed such a thing to happen to him, the dawn was breaking. With Owen driving carefully, we took in the beauty of the snowy scenery around us.

  ‘So pretty and so treacherous,’ Owen observed.

  ‘Arthur wasn’t the only one to end up in hospital last night. It was non-stop, wasn’t it? He will be all right, won’t he?’ I couldn’t stop fretting about Arthur, destined for surgery later in the day, and wondering what the dangers might be at his age.

  ‘He’ll be fine. The boys will be able to reassure you – especially about the aftercare.’

  ‘Oh, yes, they’ll know all about that, because he’ll require physiotherapy once the hip has been replaced, won’t he? I believe the operation is very common.’

  ‘Especially in the elderly,’ Owen said ruefully. ‘We should have taken better care of him.’

  I almost reminded him that Arthur was my neighbour, not his, and therefore was my responsibility, but then I thought how nice it was that he was happy to share the blame and how like him.

  I couldn’t believe that everyone was still up when we got home, waiting for news. I’d expected them to be in bed and fast asleep long since. They had kept the heating on - and probably the kettle because tea was made in no time - and then they gathered round to hear the verdict on Arthur’s injuries and to offer their thoughts on his chances of a full recovery.

  ‘I’ve seen people of all ages up and walking in days after that op’,’ Jake said knowledgably. ‘Of course it depends on the person, but Arthur is the sort to do exactly as he’s told. He’ll want to be mobile again as soon as possible.’

  ‘They won’t keep him in hospital any longer than necessary, either,’ Connor agreed. ‘What will you do about the dog?’

  We all looked at Gizmo who, after the initial excitement of greeting Owen and I, had settled on my lap and was sleeping peacefully.

  ‘I’ll keep him here. I have Arthur’s key and can go round in the morning for his bits and pieces.’ Then I laughed a little hollowly. ‘Of course, it’s morning already, so we should probably get what sleep we can. I’ll see if he will settle on my bed.’

  ‘Can we all stay here?’ Alice asked. ‘I’m so tired I could sleep on the floor.’

  I managed a rueful smile and said, ‘I don’t think it will come to that, love. You can share with me, and Jake can share with Connor, but I’m afraid that leaves you with the couch, Owen.’

  ‘Fine by me,’ he rubbed his eyes and yawned and ordered, ‘Right you lot, get off my bed.’

  With Gizmo settled by our feet Alice and I were both asleep in no time and when I woke the sun was streaming through the window. Alice was still out for the count, though the dog stirred when I did, so not wishing him to disturb her, I quickly pulled a dressing gown on and went to let him out.

  Owen was already busy in the kitchen, working as he often had at home, bare-chested, dressed only in his jeans and with no shoes or socks on his feet. As soon as he saw me he popped bacon under the grill, saying, ‘I hope you’re starving, because I am.’

  ‘Absolutely, just give me time to let this dog outside and then lead me to it. No sign of anybody else yet?’

  ‘Soundo - Alice?’

  ‘Ditto. I think it will be some time before anyone stirs.’ I laughed at the little dog’s antics in the snow. ‘Come and look, Owen, he wants to play but he’s not very keen on getting his feet wet.’

  Owen looked over my shoulder and we both laughed as the dog rushed between our legs and into the house.

  ‘He’s obviously had enough for now. The snow’s lovely with the sun on it, isn’t it? It won’t last long now, though.’ He turned round. ‘Where did Gizmo go? I was going to cut a bit of bacon up small for him.’

  ‘I wouldn’t be surprised if he hasn’t gone back to bed,’ I guessed, and sure enough he was already asleep curled at Alice’s feet.

  ‘Do I have time to ring the hospital?’ I asked.

  ‘I already did,’ Owen said, ‘they were reluctant to tell me anything until I pointed out that we’re not just Arthur’s neighbours, but close friends who had actually phoned the ambulance and then came into hospital with him last night. When they still hesitated I explained that his family live in Australia and we’re all he has in this country. I gave the impression that we were husband and wife,’ he shrugged, ‘it just seemed easier.’

  ‘And?’

  ‘And they still didn’t tell me much except that he’s comfortable, and we can go and see him later.’

  That was good enough for me. I was actually starving, which was hardly surprising since not so much as a biscuit had passed my lips since lunch the day before. As Owen ushered me to the table my mouth was already watering copiously and I set about the food placed in front of me with a will.

  It felt exactly like old times, especially with the children all sleeping under the same roof. In fact, it was exactly like old times I thought with a contented smile, because the only thing that had changed was the venue and this was just what I had hoped for when Owen and I first set the plans in motion to go our separate ways.

  We ate pretty much in silence, enjoying every mouthful. When the plates were empty Owen made toast and we didn’t hesitate before tucking into that as well, but now the edge had been taken off our appetites we found time to talk about the other subject on our minds beside Arthur and his accident.

  ‘What do you think about Alice and Jake getting involved in a relationship?’ Owen looked into my eyes, his placid demeanour encouraging an honest answer.

  I shrugged and said firmly, ‘I honestly have no problem with it. Do you? I don’t think they are doing anything wrong.’

  I thought Owen looked relieved. ‘Neither do I. We can easily check the legalities of a relationship between then, and the only reason I didn’t rush off and do
so immediately was because I didn’t want to give the impression that I was concerned – and because Arthur’s accident then distracted me.’

  ‘Same here,’ I nodded, ‘and, of course, it could turn out to be nothing serious.’

  ‘I rather think it is serious, on Jake’s part, at least,’ Owen said. ‘Have you seen the way he looks at Alice? I think it’s safe to say he absolutely adores her – and he probably has for some time.’

  ‘She’s not the easiest of people, but then Jake obviously knows that, and he has always been good with her.’

  The telephone rang then, several times in quick succession. The news about Arthur’s accident seemed to have spread round the close like wild fire – I seemed to recall seeing a couple of people standing on the pavement when I climbed into the ambulance – and there were messages of goodwill to be passed on and offers of help, which I knew I might be glad of when Arthur came home.

  I’d just put down the phone when the doorbell rang and I went to open it as Owen stepped into the hall, obviously intent on doing the same thing.

  Finding Stuart on the step was the last thing I’d expected and then, realising it was already Boxing Day and we had arranged to spend it together, I clapped a hand to my mouth. ‘Oh, my God, I’m so sorry, I completely forgot you were coming with everything that’s happened. We’ve been…’

  ‘Yes,’ he looked from me in my dressing gown, to Owen, dressed only in his jeans, ‘I can see what you’ve been and don’t – just don’t – insult my intelligence by telling me it’s not what it seems.’

  Chapter Fifteen

  I was left looking at a two sets of footprints on the garden path, one coming up the path and one going the other way. It wasn’t difficult to realise Stuart would have seen a pathway with a pristine covering of snow as clear proof that Owen had stayed the night, and drawn his own conclusions.

  ‘I’ll go after him,‘ Owen was already struggling into his coat. ‘He’s obviously got completely the wrong idea.’

  ‘You and he seem to have that much in common,’ I said wryly, subtly reminding him of the times after I’d moved in, when it had been Owen storming off in a huff because Stuart was in my house in what seemed to be compromising circumstances. ‘Don’t bother, Owen, I’ll talk to him when he’s calmed down. We don’t need two of you rushing off in these conditions or there will be another accident. Anyway, you don’t have any shoes on.’

  I was determined not to let what had just happened become common knowledge and spoil the day for the children. They only had a few more days left of a festive break from jobs and university, and they had been upset enough by Arthur’s accident. I wasn’t going to let a stupid misunderstanding and the childish behaviour of one person – who, I reminded myself, wasn’t even family - cast another shadow, and that’s what I told Owen as sounds of the rest of the household rousing reached our ears.

  I showered and dressed as Owen took over in the kitchen yet again and set about feeding our combined families. While they were eating I popped round and let myself into Arthur’s house, it took no time to gather up Gizmo’s bed, bowls, brush and food and I quickly found nightwear, a towel, toiletries and anything I thought Arthur might need for a stay in hospital. I also found his son’s contact details by the phone and took that with me as well.

  The house was as neat and tidy as you would expect from Arthur’s appearance, so there was nothing to be done, apart from checking that the back door and all the windows were secure. I returned to join my family for more tea and toast and to listen to their plans for the day ahead.

  Obviously, my original plan of spending the day with Stuart was a non-starter, because what with Arthur’s accident and Stuart jumping to wrong conclusions everything was a bit up in the air.

  ‘You had your own plans for today, Mum.’ Alice reminded me with no hint of criticism in her tone. ‘But I expect you might have to revise them with Arthur in hospital and wanting to spent time there with him. You know you’re more than welcome to join us at Owen’s at any point today.’

  Everyone else at the table, including Owen, warmly endorsed this. He also gave it as his intention to go with me to visit Arthur. ‘For one thing,’ he said, ‘I wouldn’t be happy for you to be out driving in these conditions – and yes,’ he added, putting up his hand, ‘I do know you are a very careful driver, but there is a lot of snow out there and the four by four has a better grip.

  ‘I’ll also be taking the rest of you across to mine as soon as you’re ready and don’t waste time arguing. It’s not that I don’t trust you, but you won’t be the only ones on the road, a lot of them will be driving like complete idiots, and I have the experience required to avoid them. Just put it down to a father being over-protective.’

  The protestations that were about to be uttered were immediately silenced and I really wanted to hug Owen for being – well, Owen.

  ‘Thank you,’ I mouthed at him over the children’s heads, and he shrugged and smiled at me. ‘Don’t worry about clearing up,’ I told everyone, ‘I won’t be going anywhere until visiting. At two, isn’t it, Owen?’

  They needed no further telling and there was the usual flurry as everyone rushed round gathering what they classed as essential for the day.

  ‘There are still presents under the tree,’ Ella pointed out. ‘Shall we take them with us?’

  ‘Good idea,’ I paused in the act of stacking the dishwasher and handed her a carrier bag from the ones I kept in the cupboard, and then added, ‘and don’t forget to take all the leftover meat and pickles from yesterday. Even Gizmo won’t want to be eating turkey forever.’

  The silence after they all left was so deafening that I had to put the radio on and thought how quickly you could get used to the noise and bustle of family life again. I picked up scattered garments and delivered them to the correct guest room, automatically straightening duvets and plumping up pillows as I went. The little dog was always right behind me and I found I liked knowing he was there.

  ‘Fancy a walk,’ I asked when I was all done, and he skipped around my feet, obviously recognising the key word. ‘Shame you haven’t got any of these,’ I told him as I pulled on a pair of rarely worn Wellingtons.

  It wasn’t as bad out there as I had feared, because once we were away from the cul-de-sac the roads and the pavements were mostly treated and had seen a fair bit of traffic, either in vehicles or on foot. The bit of sun, weak as it was, was also doing its bit the melt the snow and the result was mainly diminishing slush spread thinly.

  Gizmo was very well behaved and I enjoyed the novelty of walking a dog. It was surprisingly busy on the streets for Boxing Day and Gizmo was so cute that people often stopped me to ask what breed he was, others obviously knew Arthur, stopping me to enquire after him and obviously horrified to hear what had happened to him. I promised to pass my best to him without any idea of who most of them might be.

  The park I eventually came to was even busier than the streets, with the snow not as trampled – especially on the grass. There were children building snowmen, engaged in snowball fights and being pulled along on toboggans. There were any number of other dog walkers, too, and I soon found myself surrounded and, as I explained why I came to be walking Gizmo, others came to join in. Arthur was obviously a very popular man and they were all eager to help in any way they could.

  ‘Are you all right looking after the dog for him?’ A young lady asked, adding, ‘I’d be quite happy to take him home with Poppy.’ She rested her hand on the head of a very handsome Boxer dog. ‘They are great friends despite their very dissimilar size.’

  ‘I’m enjoying having him around,’ I assured her, ‘but thank you for the offer it’s very kind of you.’

  Owen was waiting on the doorstep when I got back. I immediately regretted the meanness that had caused me to refuse to offer him a key. He was my best friend, for heaven’s sake, and was hardly going to suddenly start to take liberties.

  I handed him one, saying, ‘For emergencies and situatio
ns such as this.’

  ‘Of course,’ he said, adding it to his key ring with no further comment.

  ‘We’ve probably got time for a sandwich – if the children have left anything in the fridge.’

  I went to check, but Owen laughed and said, ‘Thanks, but no thanks, I’m still full of breakfast.’

  I smiled back and admitted, ‘Me, too, really. I was being greedy. I just need to look for an overnight bag and another one for Arthur’s toiletries that isn’t too feminine. He probably has both but I didn’t like to poke around among his things too much.’

  ‘What could a man of his advanced years have to hide?’ Owen looked amused.

  ‘We’re all entitled to our secrets – whatever age we may be,’ I reminded him firmly. ‘I won’t be a minute.’

  I’ve never been keen on driving in adverse weather conditions and had reason to be grateful for Owen’s insistence on driving me to the hospital when at one point the driver in front braked suddenly for no apparent reason and Owen managed to stop only millimetres from his bumper.

  Both of my feet jammed to the floor in a fruitless search for a brake and the overnight bag slid gracefully from my lap to the floor. Owen’s arm had been flung instinctively in front of me, but the seat belt locked in place and held me firm. Had I been driving I had no doubt I’d have been ringing for a breakdown truck once I’d got over the shock of collision that would undoubtedly have taken place.

  ‘Idiot,’ Owen muttered and I greatly admired his restraint.

  The multi-storey car park was already busy even though there was a little while to go before visiting hours started. We joined the queue that crawled from level to level until someone obligingly pulled out in front of us and Owen was into the space before anyone could beat us to it.

  I would guess that Arthur had been given pain relief because he seemed quite perky when we finally reached his bedside and told us the operation was scheduled for the next day. Supported by pillows, he was wearing a most unflattering hospital gown, but assured us he was being well taken care of.