A Rough Kind of Magic

by Louise James

  There was a long pause. Greg hesitated to break it although he wondered how this tied in with Bronwyn’s own story. Liza Dolittle suddenly came out to sit on Greg’s feet searching his face with intent eyes after a while she slipped away to her own secret hideaway. Macaverty had made himself comfortable on his cushion and faded away into the tawny background. Bronwyn leant forward putting a card on Greg’s knee.

  “This is who I was and will never be again. I have taken that name out of my life. I became Bronwyn Rhys which was my mother’s name.’

  Greg picked up the card and gasped. The name on the card was that of a famous heart surgeon at an address in Harley Street. When he was in his early twenties he recalled the name in the newspapers but couldn’t remember why. She handed him a newspaper cutting. The headlines read- Top Harley Street consultant acquitted. Harley Street consultant Barbara DeLeon was today acquitted at the Crown Court of charges relating to the death of Architect Michael Sean Jamieson of Clear Water, Kilkenny Ridge, Southern Ireland who died of a heart condition last May. Mrs DeLeon had been arrested following complaints by Mrs Anwen Jamieson wife of the deceased that her husband had left off taking vital drugs for his condition after a consultation with Mrs DeLeon at her rooms in Harley Street on January the twenty sixth nineteen eighty one. Mr Jamieson died in the May of that same year. Mr Jamieson who was being treated for a serious heart condition by Mr Daniel Hathaway a London consultant had stopped his medication following a discussion with his mother- in-law at her consulting rooms, alleged his wife. He had later died at his home. Today the judge, Sir John Barclay, acquitted Barbara DeLion of all charges. He ruled out the charge of interference with the patient’s treatment. The discussion had not been a medical discussion and had only briefly mentioned his condition after a general inquiry as to how he was feeling. Mr Jamieson was fully aware of his condition and knew what the result would be if he failed to take his medication. The judge could find nothing in the evidence shown to suggest that any such recommendation had been made to Mr Jamieson and that he was under no delusions whatsoever that by ceasing his medication he would die. The fact that he chose to do so could not be laid at Barbara DeLion’s door and he therefore acquitted her of all blame in the matter.

  Greg looked up horrified. Bronwyn was sat quietly looking into the fire. After a while she spoke. “The judge acquitted me, my daughter Anwen didn’t; she pretends to believe the evidence but things will never be right between us. She pays a short visit occasionally maybe once or twice in two or three years more for Olwen’s sake than anything else. Of course Olwen being the girl she is fished the whole story out in her teens. She has always been hot in my defence, has had many a row with her mother. I tell her to let it be. I was rather thankful that my husband was dead before it all happened. He was a surgeon too and it would have affected his good name as well as mine; not that he would have worried about that, he would have fully supported me but it would have hurt him to believe for one minute that Anwen could have done such a thing.’

  “But you were acquitted.” Greg protested. “Why couldn’t she accept that? After all you were her mother and proven innocent.’

  “Perhaps I was and perhaps I wasn’t entirely. You see Michael had only called in to discuss some family matters while he was in London seeing Mr Hathaway. It was unfortunate that he came to my actual consulting rooms but he was anxious to get to another meeting before returning to Ireland. We discussed family business for a while then he talked about his health saying that he wasn’t entirely satisfied with Mr Hathaway’s treatment. I told him that I couldn’t interfere or discuss, it would not ethical also I knew Dan Hathaway to be the best there was. I did not know that Michael had gone home and thrown all his tablets into the fire and I still don’t know why. Their housekeeper saw him do it but as he didn’t speak to her, she assumed his doctor advised him so she said nothing. All was well for a time then in the beginning of May Anwen and Olwen went on holiday for three weeks with friends, soon after their return Michael suffered a massive heart attack in the night. Afterwards Anwen remembered he had been to see me, she also remembered my opinion of those particular drugs but never in a million years would have I told him or anyone else to come off them unless there was an appropriate substitute and much consultation on it. The worst of all Anwen remembered me saying to Michael at their house a couple of years previously that if he had come to me five years earlier before he became so ill he would not have had to take those things at all. Idle words like that may have made him think but I still don’t understand, he knew he had to take those tablets and I had not mentioned them or given him any advice or instructions to the contrary. As I said I’d refused to discuss it with him; that saved the day for me but I could not practise after that. I knew it was time to leave it all behind me. I could hear my William speaking as clearly as if he stood beside me ‘Get out of it girl. You are one of the best and you have done your best. There are other ways of healing the world.’ So I retired here, I write articles, a thesis, two books to date on alternative medicine and similar topics. They have been well received so I know I’m on the right track. I am on my third book. I love country ways, I have my dog and the cats, friends around me as I said no one knows but the Captain, he knows it all and will never say a word. He was there at the time of Elizabeth and stood by me all the way through.” Greg handed back the folder. She took it with a sigh.

  “All I have left are the memories of a lifetime of curing and easing the suffering of a few.’

  He looked at her as she sat gently rocking staring into the fire. How could he have thought of her as witch like? With sympathy and a deeper understanding, he saw a woman of great intellect and courage who although innocent of the accusations hurled against her chose to take another path to heal the people she loved. Behind the harsh and abrupt manner dwelt a woman of integrity and pride. With new eyes he saw some of the characteristics which had helped to form Olwen. The pride, the beauty, the refusal to be silenced, maybe she would have stayed with him out of love not pity. It had been him that was afraid. Greg leant forward laying his hand over her folded ones.

  Thank you for telling me, I appreciate it and will respect your confidence with my life.’

  “Thank you Greg. You have a face to trust and I felt it was only fair that you should know a little of Olwen’s background. You were honest with me about her. Do you want to tell me what happened the other night?’ Greg told her all.

  The following morning Greg felt much better. It had been a great relief to pour out his feelings and to know Bronwyn understood. There was no one but her that could appreciate what he was going through. Afterwards she had sent him to bed and he had slept deeply and more restfully than for a long time. She had woken him about six with a light meal exquisitely cooked and served, tempted he had cleared his plate. He had gone back downstairs for an hour listening to music while Bronwyn worked at her desk, her presence restful. When she settled him for the night it was with efficiency yet as tenderly as one of her own. He had slept until morning.

  Chapter 28

  The next few days were one of those exquisite Autumn ones of mist, sun and falling leaves. The air was crisp and tangy with the scent of chrysanthemums in the garden beds, beech leaves giving off smoke which drifted up the valley from some ones bonfire. Greg and Bronwyn slowly walked the dogs along a grassy lane where the leaves were alight with fire leaves from the maple trees and a faint rustling in the hedge of falling nuts. The sun was warm bringing swarms of bluebottles and wasps onto the decaying blackberries. A Squirrel dared the dogs, racing down the lane then taking a flying leap into the safety of a tree to the great disgust of the dogs who still only barely tolerated each other. Bronwyn now talked to Greg freely and he enjoyed her caustic wit realising that her apparent rudeness was a crabby sense of humour. She positively enjoyed peoples shocked or angry faces. Her knowledge and love of wildlife and country lore amazed him and he found himself thoroughly enjoying her company. She woul
d not allow him to walk far and they soon returned to the comfort of the fire. That evening they enjoyed a film on television which proved so amusing that Bronwyn feared for Greg’s health although as she said later ‘Laughter is the best medicine of all’.

  Greg was to return home the following day but as he sat considering all he had to do, he sat up suddenly horrified.

  “Oh Lord! The parents will be going scatty, they phone usually every couple of days and my phone has been switched off. I never gave it a thought.’

  “Ring them now.” He reached for his phone. As he suspected his mother was frantic, they were leaving almost at once to come up. He more or less had to tell them what had happened without worrying them too much but despite his protestations that he was alright, his mother insisted they would come for a few days to see for themselves.

  “I’m afraid you will have to put up with being cosseted.” Bronwyn remarked when he told her. “You can see their point of view although it makes you feel like a child, it’s not easy for them you know; in fact it is very hard for those who have to wait in the wings.’

  “I know, I am a bit short in understanding. What am I going to do about Olwen? I love her, Bronwyn tough I know I mustn’t.’

  “Who says?” the piercing eyes met his unhappy ones. “Loving is very good for you. Sometimes it’s all we have. Olwen’s pride is her downfall and her lack of patience, if she had waited to listen to you it could have been talked through and a decision made between you. It’s the one sided ones that hurt. I can’t interfere, it would only send her rushing back with some notion or other. Leave her be, she is staying away from here at the moment because she knows I will get after her for dashing off in a temper but until she comes to me I can do nothing, I’ll not phone. See what happens when she calms down. I know you feel it’s some sort of a way out for you but sometimes fate takes a hand then there is nothing one can do but go along. Now then I’ve had an idea. Something to fill your head and your time.’

  “Fire away.” Greg picked up Macavity who yawned and relaxed hanging like a limp bag over his arm.

  ‘How do you fancy running a model farm for handicapped children to visit?’

  Greg stared at her in amazement. “How on earth could I do that?’ he asked returning Macavity to his cushion.

  “I take it that money isn’t an immediate problem?’

  “No but I am using it to get the place done up, the boys are starting next week.’

  “Yes, you’ll have to get that done first of course. I’m not sure what grants and things are available also the place would have to be in good condition before you could get anywhere. I don’t know whether you would need or could get planning permission either; as you are having the house done up anyway I had this idea. Listen while I talk, ask questions afterwards. A big farmhouse kitchen where meals could be eaten as they were in the old days; an extension to take a couple more bedrooms big enough to take a couple of bunk beds in each, couple of bathrooms, downstairs showers and toilets. You may have other ideas perhaps another building in the grounds. Think about it carefully. Outside some Jacob sheep about a dozen, pig pen in the orchard with a couple of pot- bellied pigs that children love, goats, small cow Jersey or Dexter, hens, those I gave you are unusual; those are Silver Lace, what about small Orpingtons, make lovely pets very tame, some Rabbits, Guinea pigs ducks and geese. Find an old tractor, paint it in bright colours, make it safe, swings and things. You have the hill behind you for those fit enough to climb it.’

  “Hey! Stop! I’ve just remembered Fred Barnes was coming with two cobs today he wants me to try one.’

  “Excellent idea, Fred is a good man and fit as a fiddle although he has turned seventy. He’ll give you a hand and enjoy doing it.’

  “It sounds a wonderful idea but aren’t you forgetting that I can’t work, don’t have that much money and not much time left either? How could disabled children cope on a mountain farm, how would I cope with them?’

  “Didn’t you tell me yesterday that your friend Ray wanted to live here if you could find him a job? Well here’s one tailor made; he’s a happy go lucky chap and hard working so I hear, just what you need. You would need a woman or two in the house though but I’m sure there is someone who would love to come and help with a project like that.’

  “Ray has a girl- friend here who he is serious about. Megan Lewis; perhaps you know her?’

  ‘Megan Lewis she works at The Green Man; a nice little girl although her skirts are too short. I always think after twenty they should get longer not shorter. Well! it’s a thought, sleep on it and turn it over in your mind. Thinking about it that big shed with the rubbish in it would make a good extension to the house. It all depends what you can afford and what help is available. Sponsorships are the thing.’

  “Aren’t you forgetting something?’

  “What?’ Bronwyn rose to stir the fire.

  “My health.’

  “No I am not. You don’t need me to remind you not to do anything yourself, get people in, delegate, take an administrative role. You see the children I am thinking of aren’t incapacitated, they will have some form of disability, maybe deaf, partial sighted, lost a limb or there are other forms of disability, problems after operations, broken homes, disturbed for various reasons. You know Greg we all have disabilities, you know yours, others are not always easy to see. Some carry guilt or bitterness, resentment or anger to dangerous levels, so much so that it affects their lives and the lives of those around them then families suffer too. Some it is easy to help, others you mey not see the problem or understand it but these too need help where and how we can. It can be a hard task and we may only be able to do little but even someone to talk to as we have these two days to each other can start a healing process. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to feel that your suffering has not been in vain and some little child would remember the times on your farm where he learned about animals and someone there hed time to learn about him as well.’

  “how would it be funded?” Greg asked, now very interested.

  “Sponsors. I’m sure you would not have any trouble getting those. I would put in a few thousand; if you are interested and I have friends who are very keen on worthwhile cases. I’m sure you too have friends, business acquaintances and contacts. It is surprising who you can come up with if you try.’

  “I can’t believe it.” Greg’s eyes sparkled. It would give me something to do; a focal point. Then if the worst happens for me at least I would leave something to show for my life, an achievement.’

  Bronwyn watched him, the sudden animation in his face, his green eyes sparkling and saw what a handsome happy man he was without the tired pallor and worry which was usually on his face.

  “Right, you think it over, discuss it with your friend, see what you both come up with, there are all sorts of possibilities. I am here I will help where ever I can as I told you.’ To her great surprise and his own, Greg put his arms around her and kissed her gently on the cheek.

  “Thank you.’ He said. ‘Thank you for everything.’

  “Get on with you.” She was smiling even though a tear stood in her light eyes. “That’s enough of that. I’m making you a hot drink then it’s bed for you. I know that once you are home and your friend gets here there will be enough late nights.” Long after he was asleep, she sat staring into the fire. ‘Poor lad. I hope something good happens for him before long. I hope McLoughlin knows the value of him. Wish I had a son like him. Olwen’s no fool once she comes to her senses but she should have given him half a chance by stopping to listen to him. It won’t be easy whichever way it goes but maybe I have given him something else to think about for a while.’

  Chapter 29

  Graig –y-Dorth in the Autumn was beautiful. The trees threw their leaves in golden bands through the green, the big Sycamore burned red and in the garden neglected clumps of Golden Rod and Michaelmas daisies bloomed in profus
ion. Spindle and Rowan trees glowed like minute fires in the dusk that each evening came a little earlier. Soft mist gathered in the mornings and mushrooms appeared in the fields. Hot sunshine at midday drew the smell of bracken and fresh earth as John turned over the garden for winter. When it rained heavy clouds wrapped around the mountains and the brook roared all night.

  John and Sally had arrived almost as soon as Greg was home, to their relief he appeared to have recovered but then came the worry that he was living here on his own and winter was approaching. They said nothing to him but secretly decided to call on Bronwyn to thank her for her care of him. Greg could say nothing of about her except for her nursing and how good she had been. They said nothing to him of their worries but concentrated on the gathering of the damsons, apples and plums of which there was an abundance this year while John worked on the garden, Sally made jams, pickles and filled the freezer with fruit, pies, cakes and scones. Greg decided against telling them of Bronwyn’s ideas about the farm and spent a restful few days enjoying their company. He finally protested though when he found his mother scrubbing out the porch and restacking the logs on the stone seat. His father took him to one side.

  “Leave her be. It’s the only way she can cope, if she can put you right it acts as therapy for her. I expect like me you let things slip a bit when you are on your own.” Greg didn’t argue about the apple pies and lasagne filling his freezer in fact it gave him food for thought as well but he would wait until he talked to Ray because if he couldn’t help there might be a problem. Monday saw the arrival of Dean Bateman and a lorry load of felt batons and tiles. The weather was cold but clear, the forecast good. It was time to make a start on the roof. Dean and his labourer Colin had made good time stripping the galvanised before Greg approached the matter of lunch. Afterwards when his parents had gone back out to the orchard he and Dean had a chat about some of the new ideas that Greg had floating about in his mind.