Hidden Chapters

by Mary Grand

  Bethan signed, ‘May you be filled with loving kindness. May you be well. May you be peaceful and at ease. May you be happy.’ Bethan handed it back to her mother, hugged her and then Elizabeth. Catrin hugged Lowri. Mark returned. They put everything back in the bag.

  ‘We ought to make our way back now,’ said Mark. ‘We’re not the fastest walkers.’

  Catrin knew that he was being tactful. He could easily get back in half the time she needed. They all started to make their way back.

  As she left Worm’s Head she whispered to herself, ‘I forgive you. I shall come back.’

  Exhausted, but lighter, they began the walk back over the causeway, back to the mainland.

  Chapter Thirty Nine

  Monday 6th August 2012

  The next day Catrin and Gareth took a picnic up on to the downs. Catrin loved it up there. The air was fresh and it was easy to find a place to sit alone. Safi ran, tracking scents, rolling in the bracken. They sat looking down towards the bay and the far off horizon.

  ‘It’s an extraordinary place, like reaching the end of the world,’ said Gareth.

  Catrin smiled. ‘That’s exactly what it’s like. As soon as I reach here, it’s like I leave the world behind me and enter somewhere really unique.’

  ‘But you were dreading coming here. Don’t you still find it all difficult and painful?’

  Catrin looked out at the sparkling sea, and then Worm’s Head.

  ‘Not now. I’ve made peace with it.’

  ‘I’m really glad. The thing is, while you were out yesterday, I did a lot of thinking. You know what we said about changes?’

  ‘We don’t have to do anything immediately,’ said Catrin, feeling rather alarmed.

  ‘Actually, I think we do. So, firstly, I’ve been thinking about work. I thought about reducing my hours.’

  ‘Good.’

  Gareth shook his head.

  ‘I thought about it, but I realised it wouldn’t work. I’d start, say, on three days a week, and soon I’d be there every day. No. I think I need a complete change.’

  ‘What? Stop being a doctor?’

  ‘No. I wouldn’t want that. The thing is, there’s something I haven’t told you. I didn’t see the point, because I’d dismissed it, but now I’m starting to think about it seriously.’

  ‘What‘s that?’ Catrin was apprehensive.

  ‘About a month ago I was approached by someone from the hospital in Swansea. He had heard about my work with the students on placement.’

  ‘Well, you do work very hard with them.’

  ‘I know. I love that.’

  ‘What did he say?’

  ‘They want to expand their teaching of general practice at Swansea. He wants it to be more than students doing a placement, for it to be an integral part of the teaching. I think it’s a brilliant idea. I’ve long thought the work of GPs gets underestimated, and yet we are at the sharp end of things. He knows how I feel and, well, he asked me to consider going there to lecture, and to support students out on placement.’

  ‘Gosh, that’s amazing. It’s like it’s tailor-made for you. But it’s over here, in Swansea?’

  ‘Yes. I rang the chap who spoke to me. I had his mobile number. Anyway, the job is still open. I told him about my illness, but the job wouldn’t start until October. It’s perfect. And that leads me to my next thought.’

  ‘What’s that?’

  ‘You can say no.’

  ‘What is it?’

  ‘I was thinking of us putting in a bid for The Dragon House.’

  Catrin sat back, stunned. ‘What, live here?’

  ‘Yes. Sell the place in Cardiff and come here.’

  ‘But Bethan–’

  Gareth grinned. ‘I knew that was the first thing you would say. I was thinking, let’s ask again about that room in hall.’

  ‘But–’

  ‘Why not? We should start to let her go. She told me it was all equipped.’

  ‘I know, but it could be gone now.’

  ‘If it has, I was thinking we could rent her our house, with some other students.’

  ‘But how on earth would we afford all this? I’m sorry, but I can’t see Dad letting us have this house cheaply.’

  ‘I know, but we have that money from my parents. Listen, don’t be cross, but I was emailing Gary, our accountant, last evening. He thinks we could do it. He even offered to draw me up a bid quickly. We have to show we’re credible purchasers.’

  ‘Wow. That’s really kind of him, to do all this at home.’

  ‘Well, I did a lot of work for him over some claims and, so he didn’t mind.’

  ‘And he thinks we could do it?’

  ‘Yes, definitely. If we use the money from my parents–’

  ‘We said that was for the girls, to help them both buy somewhere.’

  ‘We can sort that out when we get to it. What do you think? It could be a new start, me and you.’

  Catrin looked around. ‘It would be wonderful. I could get some work locally, but I’d like to get back to painting. I was thinking that I would like to illustrate Mum’s stories.’

  ‘Interesting.’

  ‘But, the bid. How does it work?’

  ‘I was planning to put a bid in for the guide price. To be honest, the final decision is with your father. He chooses whose bid to accept.’

  ‘I bet Harri will be offering over the asking.’

  ‘I know. We can only try. We can’t afford any more than that.’

  ‘Do you want me to talk to Dad? It’s not like he’s desperate. He’ll get a packet for his Cardiff house.’

  ‘No. Definitely not. I don’t want you crawling to him. I want this house to be ours, no strings attached.’

  ‘And if he turns us down?’

  ‘Then we look for somewhere else.’

  Catrin took a deep breath. ‘OK. Let’s go for it.’ She stroked Safi, who was sitting next to them, ‘You’ll have another new home, Safi.’

  She looked at Gareth. ‘It’s all very sudden. Don’t you want time to think?’

  ‘No. I’ve been putting everything off too long. Now, I wondered. Could we go down to Cardiff tomorrow?’

  ‘We could. We’re not needed for the open house but why do you want to go there?’

  ‘Well, there’s a lot to sort out. I’d like to see if I can catch the surgery manager, pick up this bid. Maybe you could go in to see the university accommodation people tomorrow as well.’

  ‘Good gracious, Gareth. Are you sure you can cope with all this? We might not get the house, you know.’

  ‘I realise that, but we want to come here, don’t we?’

  ‘Yes. I’d really like that.’

  ‘Good.’

  Tuesday 7th August 2012

  The next day, Catrin and Gareth drove down to Cardiff. Bethan, on hearing the news about the possibility of going into halls, went with them. She was very excited.

  ‘I can’t believe you’re letting me do this.’

  ‘We’ll have to see if the room is still available.’

  ‘But you said I can stay in our house otherwise.’

  ‘Well, yes, but hall would be better, I think.’ Bethan sat in the back of the car, busily texting friends.

  The drive that morning down to Cardiff was going well. Catrin had been glad to leave the house, as people interested in it had slowly started to arrive. She dreaded seeing people who might be living in the house she was now desperate to own. Catrin took Gareth to the surgery. As they drove into the car park she saw him clenching his fists, heard him breathing hard. They sat in the parked car. ‘Wait, and calm down,’ she said. ‘You have got your medication, just in case, haven’t you?’

  ‘Yes, I’ve got it.’

  ‘Good. This is really difficult for you, isn’t it?’

  ‘You know, sometimes I would sit out here like this before I went into work.’

  ‘You’d sit out here on your own?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘I neve
r knew. Do you want me to come in with you now?’

  ‘No. It’s OK. I can do it.’ Gareth gave her a quick smile and got out.

  ‘I’ll go to the university, see about the accommodation then, and pick you up after.’

  Catrin and Bethan went to the university office, and found that there was one room equipped for a Deaf student still available. If they would like to, she and Bethan could go and see it that day. Bethan, of course, was very excited. Catrin stifled a rising panic.

  They were taken to the halls of residence by an employee from the university. Bethan was communicating very well with the woman. Catrin was left walking behind them. The place all looked so big and imposing. She felt a lot more overwhelmed by it than Bethan appeared to be.

  There was another mother and daughter looking around the halls as well. Catrin thought the woman looked as nervous as she felt. The room was small: there was a shared kitchen, but Catrin was reassured to see the adaptations were all there and working.

  Bethan started talking to the other girl who was visiting, and they were soon swopping mobile numbers and Facebook details. The other mother introduced herself.

  ‘Hi, I’m Helen. So, your daughter is starting in September?’

  ‘That’s right.’

  ‘It’s hard, isn’t it?’ the woman said suddenly. ‘I’m dreading Katy going off. She’s the last one of my four. I keep crying. My husband says I’m daft. I know from the others that actually they’re home a lot: you know, they have very long holidays. I keep reminding myself of that.’

  ‘That helps,’ said Catrin. ‘I must admit I’m nervous.’

  Bethan turned, signed to her, ‘Katy’s doing music as well, then went back to chatting to Katy.

  ‘Oh my goodness, your daughter is Deaf,’ said Helen. ‘You look very calm about her going away.’

  ‘I think it’s like the swans, you know: gliding along, frantically paddling away under the surface.’

  ‘Ah, but that’s what mothers do a lot, isn’t it?’ said Helen.

  Catrin smiled.

  ‘Do you fancy a cup of coffee? There’s a café just outside?’ asked Helen.

  ‘Actually, that would be really nice,’ said Catrin.

  The four of them went and had coffee and cake, and chatted. Catrin was surprised to receive a call from Gareth, saying, ‘Sorry to keep you waiting. I’ve finished now. We need to pick up that bid. I rang Gary. He’s not in, but he worked last night doing it for us. We can collect it from the desk.’

  Catrin and Bethan said their farewells, headed back to the accommodation office to sort out the paperwork, and then picked up Gareth. He looked very relieved.

  ‘Everything went fine,’ he said. ‘They will have to get in locums, which I feel guilty about. I went in, and saw the waiting room full. It’s not right, Catrin. The system is close to collapse.’

  ‘I know, love, but you can’t save it all. You’ve been a more than dedicated GP for well over twenty years.’

  ‘But heaven knows if they’ll get a replacement. I worry about my patients.’

  ‘Gareth, you are no good to anyone ill. In this job you will be able to teach good practice to new doctors, won’t you? Pass on what you have learned.’

  ‘I guess so.’

  ‘Come on. Let’s go and pick up that bid.’

  It was a relief to drive back to Gower again. They went via the estate agent, handed in their bid, then returned to the house.

  ‘How did the day go?’ Catrin asked her father.

  ‘Well, all things considered, you hadn’t done much tidying, had you?’

  ‘No, but then you didn’t finish the painting.’

  ‘Well, it didn’t seem to bother people.’

  ‘The bids. Do you think they will go up to the asking price?’ she asked nervously.

  ‘Easily. Above, I should imagine.’

  Catrin’s heart sank.

  That evening, she and Gareth went to the pub to eat, the rest cooked for themselves. It was hard to sleep that night.

  Wednesday 8th August 2012

  In the morning, Catrin watched her father drive off to the estate agent, wondering how long it would be before she knew. She was getting increasingly anxious. The deadline for the bids was ten o’clock that morning. Her father had taken an early morning call from someone who had been round the day before, saying that they were putting in a ‘very good bid’ that morning.

  Bethan and Lowri had no idea what their parents were doing. Despite driving with them to the estate agent the day before, Bethan had not realised. She had been in her own world, chatting on Facebook with her new friend Katy, trying to get together a group of people who would be in halls with them.

  It was lunch time when Lloyd returned.

  Catrin and Gareth were sitting staring at the Olympics, but neither was taking anything in. They heard the front door open, and waited. Her father didn’t come straight into them but went into the kitchen first. She heard him pouring a drink. He came into the living room.

  ‘So, you two put in a bid.’

  Catrin nodded.

  ‘You should have told me. I felt pretty stupid when I opened it, not knowing my own daughter was trying to buy the house.’

  ‘I’m sorry. We didn’t want you to feel obliged. We only thought about it in the last few days.’

  ‘I see.’

  ‘So, Dad. Did you make a decision?’

  The wait was agony, but he was not going to make it easy.

  ‘There were more bids than I expected.’

  ‘Over the guide price?’

  He nodded. Catrin’s heart sank. Her father took a sip of his drink.

  ‘Anyway, I made my decision.’

  ‘And?’

  Chapter Forty

  Catrin and Gareth sat, holding their breath.

  ‘The house is yours.’

  Catrin peered at her father. ‘You really mean it?’

  ‘I do. We have to sign contracts, obviously, but, yes, it’s yours.’

  Catrin gave her father a kiss on the cheek.

  ‘Thank you, Dad. That’s amazing.’

  ‘You really want it that much?’

  ‘Yes.’ Catrin told him about Gareth’s job.

  ‘That makes sense, yes. Still, I’m surprised you want to be here, Catrin.’

  ‘Its OK, Dad. I’m fine with it now.’

  ‘I guessed you must have had a change of heart.’

  ‘I love it here. Really, I can’t believe I’ll be living in Nana Beth’s house.’

  Her father sighed. ‘You’re like your mother. This place: it’s in your blood, I think.’

  ‘I know our bid was less than some of the others,’ said Gareth. ‘It was good of you to give us preference.’

  Catrin’s father shrugged. ‘Well your bid was convincing, money well worked out. You have a good accountant.’

  ‘Yes, we have.’

  Lloyd stood up. ‘Right, I have a few things to do upstairs.’

  When he had gone, Catrin said, ‘I think we ought to tell the kids. I think they’re in the garden with Mark.’

  That was where they found them.

  Catrin felt her heart beating fast. The girls looked at her puzzled. She said to Gareth, ‘I think you should tell them.’

  He grinned at their daughters, and opened his arms. ‘Welcome to your new home.’

  ‘What?’

  ‘It’s ours. The Dragon House is our new home.’

  Lowri stared at him. ‘But–’

  ‘We put a bid in. Grandad accepted it. The house is ours.’

  ‘Can you afford it?’ asked Lowri.

  ‘We can.’

  ‘But what about the surgery, Dad?’

  Gareth explained about the job offer in Swansea. ‘I can have long weekends working on the house.’

  ‘So that’s why you’re letting me go into halls?’

  ‘It is, but it will be good for you. We are only a train ride away, and your mother will be popping down, I’m sure.’


  Bethan smiled.

  Then Catrin looked over at Lowri, sitting quietly with Mark. ‘This will be your home, you know, when ever you want to come.’

  Lowri grinned. ‘Don’t worry about seeing us. I think Mark will probably take up permanent residence.’

  ‘That would be just great.’

  Catrin wondered how her father was. She couldn’t find him downstairs, so she went up. She glanced into her father’s room. She was shocked to see what he was doing.

  ‘Dad. What’s going on?’

  ‘I’m leaving.’

  ‘But–’

  ‘I rang up the airline, brought forward my flight. I’m going to America today.’

  ‘You can’t just go.’

  ‘I can. Everything is settled. Look, I’ll be back to sign things, but I need to get away. Don’t worry about the house. I’ve spoken to my solicitors.’

  ‘I’m not worried about that. I’m worried about you.’

  ‘I’ll be fine.’

  ‘You’ll miss Bethan’s birthday.’

  ‘I don’t think she’ll be bothered.’

  ‘That’s not true.’

  ‘Well, I have friends over there, who want to see me. I have the trust to set up.’

  ‘The article, Dad–’

  ‘I don’t think you’d better write that.’

  ‘No, I‘ll leave it. Dad, you will come back sometimes? I don’t like to think of you over there on your own.’

  ‘I won’t be on my own. I have a friend over there, Evelyn. She was on about moving in together.’

  ‘Dad, you have a partner?’

  ‘We’ve been friends for a few years. She’s just retired. She lost her husband. He died. Yes, maybe we could live together. We’ll see.’

  ‘I’m glad, Dad. I don’t want you to be unhappy.’

  ‘Well, no, and I wish you well, Catrin.’

  Her father picked up his bags. She followed him down the stairs. Catrin shouted for everyone to come out. She explained to Bethan what was happening.

  ‘I’m sorry you’re going so soon, Grandad,’ she said, hugging him. ‘I can still come and see you, can’t I?’

  For the first time that day, he smiled. ‘Of course. Any time. I’ll send you the flight money.’