by Louise James
‘More baby things? Ray asked puzzled. ‘How much does one little person need? You seem to have a shop full already?’
‘You’d be surprised’ Greg replied. Our bedroom is full, the nursery is full. I’d have never believed it.’
‘Glad we are hanging fire until we get a house then’. Ray pushed back his chair carrying dishes to the sink. Megan and Olwen exchanged glances. ‘Let’s go and see how Natalie is getting on.’
‘I’m going to bed if no one minds.’ Greg very pale had a hand to his chest.
‘Darling, are you alright?’ Olwen looked up anxiously.
‘Fine but I won’t be unless I can lie down or something.’
‘Go on up, I’ll bring you another cuppa in a minuet’
‘Thanks Sweetie.’ He kissed the top of her head and wound one of her red ringlets around her throat. As he left the room they could hear his slow steps on the stairs. Ray turned to Olwen. ‘We must put in a stair lift as soon as possible, he won’t like it but we should have done it earlier. I’ll ask about it tomorrow. He wasn’t well this morning on the journey that’s really why we stopped. I don’t honestly thing he will travel around much more.’
‘I know.’ Olwen bit her lip, her grey eyes dark with anguish. ‘I just have to watch him get worse. Why don’t they do something? That wretched bleeper is silent while he….She choked. Megan put her arms around her.
‘Go and take him a cup of tea, see that he’s okay then we’ll go and look at Natalie. What a grand name for a Llama’
Chapter 39
Natalie was pacing up and down the goat field seeking a way out. Ray had however done a great job of fencing.
‘She’ll settle in a few days. We must think about a few sheep, the grass is getting too long in the meadows and we don’t want goats and Llamas jumping all over them. I think we should keep two of the meadows for hay. We’ll need it come winter, probably have to buy some as well as straw. I know Glen Edwards will cut it for us, I have already asked him.’
‘You know more and more here will fall on you Ray, don’t you’. Olwen put her arm through his. ‘Can you manage when the centre opens as well? You weren’t brought up a country boy were you?’
‘Of course I can. I am in my element and I can learn. Fred is teaching me all the time and the Edward boys are okay too. I am enjoying it. Megan and I must earn our keep and Greg must rest before and after the op. You will have your hands full soon. If this farm were any bigger I wouldn’t be able to cope but I know as it is I can give Dean and Len a hand now and then as well. Isn’t it coming on well?’
They walked back down the field to the site of the old machinery shed where now stood a long brick and stone building, garish and new against the mountain which rose above it. When the builders were finished a firm of landscapers would be arriving to lay out a lawn near the orchard with flowerbeds all around and creeping plants, climbers and trees so that in years to come the brashness would disappear under their softening influence. Approaching from the gate where the old stone track was to have a coat of tarmac, the water had been piped to form a new stream that ran away from the yard. The building was almost finished, the entrance a strong oak door into a wide hallway where Olwen planned to have a reception desk like a hotel. To the left a huge lounge ran the length of the building with a wide view over the valley towards Hay –on-Wye. Here board games, books and various occupational therapies would be available while at the far end a huge television and video alcove would be surrounded by two settees and deep armchairs. Another large ground floor room was to be used for interviews, meetings or lectures and instructional studies while an annex at the rear of the building was to contain a pool table and dart board also a small soft drinks and crisp bar mocking the image of a real bar with stools and small tables. The rest of the ground floor housed showers, toilets and a big utility room where a large boiler would heat the whole building and provide drying space for wet weather. The connecting porch was large enough to take coats, macs and wellington boots. A lift for wheelchairs and luggage was tucked snugly into a convenient corner. On the next floor were five bedrooms of equal size, two would be dormitories, two for carers and a separate one away from the others where a sick child could be kept quiet and nursed if necessary The rest of the top floor contained two bathrooms, separate toilets. The corridors which ran through the building all contained huge sliding cupboards for storage. The bedrooms contained wardrobes and small chests of drawers with a mirror and bucket chair. Carers rooms televisions and a phone. The whole was designed for easy care and a pleasant comfortable atmosphere where children and accompanying adults could enjoy their holidays. Most activities would be outdoor based but the centre was designed so several indoor activities could go on at the same time should the weather be restrictive. Ray queried as to why the centre did not contain a dining room and cooking facilities but Greg explained they did not want the children to be cut off from what was basically their home for a few weeks. The big farm kitchen in Graig-y-dorth he believed would play a vital role in the establishing a family atmosphere. Everyone would gather around the big table for their meals with the family and carers they brought with them including any staff or visitors at the time. The plans for each day could be discussed, if there were problems all could share them and have lively discussions. Any celebrations such as birthdays etcetera would have a party atmosphere and each child would have a chance to join in and show something of their personalities. Olwen planned to have a kitchen morning each week where they could learn to make things and cook little simple dishes ‘not only the girls either. ‘She told Megan when they were planning. ‘It would be fun to have a boys cook day too’ Megan pointed out it would be good to have facilities over in the centre, snack meals or hot drinks in case someone wanted a night cap. After some thought and discussion, the snack bar was set up in a corner of the conference room with a small stove and fridge, and a big cupboard, so easy things like a pot noodle, cup-a-soup, tea coffee and other beverages, cake and biscuits could quickly be prepared.
‘Gosh! It looks big now.’ Olwen collapsed on a window seat. ‘Im sure we have gone over the top.’
‘We’ll need it, even if there are only six children, don’t forget there will be two carers, sometimes an extra child, sometimes they will stay two weeks sometimes a whole summer if there is a problem at home. We haven’t worked out the costings yet, sometimes it worries me.’ Megan rubbed her forehead as if she had a headache.
The accountant thought it was alright and so did the bank manager so it must be. Anyway my lovely you are a very good book keeper and so are you Olwen so between you all there is no need to worry.’ Ray twined his arms around Megan’s waist.
‘Time will tell.’ Olwen stood up a hand to her aching back. ‘I’m glad it’s happening so quickly. I just keep praying that Greg will see our first customers. I get so afraid sometimes.’
‘So do I.’ Ray reached an arm to her. ‘I always used to be such a flippant sort of fellow, but since I knew about Greg I haven’t forgotten even for a day what might happen.’ He turned around placing his hands on her shoulders. ‘You know we have to keep this place going, between us, for Greg’s sake and have no fear but I will take care of you and the baby. Megan has agreed with me on that. We know how independent you are and it is you’re and Greg’s dream but we are both here for you. We won’t leave you whatever happens. I love Greg as a brother and I will never let him down.’ Olwen raised a hand to his cheek.
‘I know you won’t Ray and I know why Greg thinks so much of you. You are truly one of the best friends a man or girl could have. We do appreciate you. Thank you for being you.’ She kissed him and turned to Megan. ‘I haven’t known you that long but I can see that you are made of the same stuff.’ Megan hugged her.
‘Now, right’ said the deeply embarrassed Ray. ‘I declare the mutual admiration society closed. I declare time for a bedtime drink and a toast. To Graig-y-dorth and junior,
may they come together all right and keep Greg into old age.’
‘I second that, let’s go and find him and the sherry bottle.’
Chapter 40
As April came in with flowers and birdsong, April showers came as well. Tempers became fraught as time drew nearer to Olwen’s birth date and the opening of the centre only months away. Greg’s bleeper remained silent and he became worse. Every one begged him to go in to hospital for a short time to have a complete rest but he stubbornly refused.
‘Maybe after the baby is born and Olwen is alright. I’ve told you before I’m not leaving. I shall be going in with her anyways so we’ll all be in together if anything should go wrong with either of us we shall be in the right place, won’t we?’
The weather became unseasonably hot for the time of the year, even thunder had been forecast, without much sun the air had become heavy and humid. Greg could only move slowly from room to room spending most of his time sitting in the window or outside when the sun came out with some paperwork but even that tired him and he was forced to give it up. Ray bought the stair-lift and had it installed within a couple of days and it proved a great help as Greg was able to sleep in his own bed instead of down stairs which had been first suggested. The deep unhappiness as his health failed crept like a blight in their midst. Sally near to tears for most of the time finally said to Olwen that she couldn’t bear being away for days at a time.
‘Why don’t you and Dad come and stay for a while until we have the baby? Olwen rubbed her on her back. You are only going to make yourselves ill rushing back and fore worrying. Come and be with us instead at least you will be on hand when things happen.’ The day they moved in John told his son that he needed to be in the garden every day this time of year. Greg was so weary he offered no comment merely squeezing his father’s hand. Ray spent time he could ill afford to sit and chat, keeping him up to date with all that was going on outside.
Bronwyn called in some part of the day every day when she walked Samuel Peeps. Olwen seldom left his side. She read books and newspapers to him, talked about everything she could think of but felt his interest slipping away day by day, though her chatter enchanted him as she leapt from subject to subject. He watched her and listened, living for her bright laugh and expressive face, fretting because he could not hold her and kiss her with passion or make love to her and may never ever again. He dare not think beyond each day.
The weather grew warmer each day, everyone said it wouldn’t last this early in the year but enjoyed the chance to see the flowers and trees put on their summer dress Birds were flew madly around the garden, singing everyone awake every morning, diving about every day excited about nests and nestlings. One of the hens went broody as if it were summer so Megan sat her on a clutch of eggs which gave her yet another job to do, her and Ray now had their hands full, taking over all the jobs that Greg and Olwen could no longer do. Sally filled Megan’s place in the kitchen while John planted every vegetable he could think off and approached Olwen about getting a greenhouse if he could purchase it himself. She thanked him and told him to do whatever he saw fit. So he went ahead, when it arrived a few days later he soon had it up and filled with compost. In went cucumbers and tomatoes, early lettuce and boxes of seeds. It seemed to Sally as if he was trying to blot out what was happening by filling every minuet with growing things. She was doing similar therapy in the kitchen, filling the cake tins and the freezer with all she could manage. In the evenings they sat and talked to Greg about all they were doing. Later in bed they would hold each other either to cry or lay in the dark silent unable to speak.
Ray went to town with Fred one market day returning with a dozen Jacob sheep and a ram which was sold with them but Fred didn’t consider him much good and offered to resell him at a later date and buy better. However the ewes were in lamb and the first day after they arrived so did a pair of twins which delighted Megan and Olwen. Ray grumbled that he would have to watch day and night now and when was a man supposed to sleep.
‘I never realised how much work there was in the country.’ He remarked to Fred who gave a shout of laughter saying ‘This isn’t even a real farm my boy but it’ll keep you quiet until yer mate gets better.’ Fred never doubted that Greg would get better; he had great faith in the Health Service had Fred which kept Ray from brooding as they went about their jobs with one eye on the house.
The weather seemed to promise some thunder as it went dark over the hills and became too warm for the time of year. Greg began to have difficulty breathing in the heavy atmosphere. Bronwyn calling in one morning found him sitting alone in the garden beneath an apple tree, beads of perspiration beading his forehead. His breathing laboured his lips slightly blue.
‘Good God alive! Man. what are you thinking of? You can’t go on like this.’ She whirled into the house startling Olwen and Sally who were sitting in the lounge which was cool with open windows.
‘What are you thinking of leaving that poor boy out there in that state?’ she demanded. ‘Haven’t you any sense at all?’
‘What?’ Olwen flared. If you mean Greg, he won’t come in. I have been out there with his mother these last two hours. He says there is no air in the house. What are you doing?’ Bronwyn was at the phone dialling rapidly. Olwen was suddenly frightened at the look on Bronwyn’s face.
‘Is he worse? Oh! My God! She turned to run but Bronwyn caught her arm.
‘Not worse exactly but he must have oxygen now. Hello is that Doctor Davies? We have a problem here, Greg must have oxygen at once. No he is still the same and he won’t go into hospital as you know. Oh! good you will see to that? Thank you. See you soon.’ She replaced the receiver. ‘That was lucky, he has just finished surgery, he’ll fetch a cylinder and be here as soon as possible. Didn’t you notice Girl?’ she glared at Olwen.
‘I didn’t think.’ Olwen burst into tears. Sally jumped up.’ I’ll go and fetch him some iced water and bring down one of the fans. He can have it on the terrace.’ She left patting Olwen’s shoulder as she went.
Olwen dried her eyes. ‘I’m sorry Granny, I should have been more careful of him. I know he’s very ill, but he won’t let me do anything to help him. I am hot and clumsy and he just sends me to rest. I’m overdue by two days. When I went to the clinic they wanted me in as my pressure is up but I daren’t leave Greg.’
‘Why on earth didn’t you ring me yesterday? You know I can help you.’
‘I don’t know I am just like a zombie, willing the baby to come, frightened for Greg and this weather on top is too much. I can’t think straight anymore. My head aches and my back aches all the time. It feels like one big race between Greg and me and the odds are awful’.
‘I have only been away two days because I had business to see to. Bless me child, all these around you. Ray, Megan, Greg’s parents, all busy helping and doing nothing.’
Within the hour Greg was propped in an armchair by an open window. Doctor Davies had given him an injection, helped Bronwyn to sponge him down with cool water and placed an oxygen mask in his hand which he found wonderful relief. He still refused the idea of a hospital even for a couple of nights.
Bronwyn sent Olwen to shower, made up a bed on the wide couch next to Greg, where she was given a sedative and was soon fast asleep. Bronwyn went to the kitchen where Sally was preparing sandwiches where she accepted a sandwich and a strong cup of tea.
‘I am going back home to see to my chickens’ she said as John and Ray came in. ‘then coming back for the invalids. I shall be on hand tonight.’ John sat down beside her.
‘We’ll take it in turns through the night.’ He rubbed his soil covered hands worriedly over his face. ‘Sally won’t sleep much tonight either.’
‘John I am sorry I was a bit harsh this morning and I had a go at you all but it is different for me because I can do something to ease Greg; I should realise that you wouldn’t know what to do bar call an ambulance. I didn’
t mean to upset Sally either. I do apologise Sally.’
‘You didn’t, I am so glad you are here. Sally is fine with a sick neighbour but no good at all while Greg is ill.’
‘I realise I didn’t used to be so hard on a patient’s relatives. I’m afraid age has made me crotchety.’ John had not been a minister for many years without recognising a troubled mind. He took Bronwyn’s hand in his earthy one.
‘I don’t wish= to pry but I must say to you that if you ever wish to talk I can listen and I know when to keep my mouth shut,’ he smiled at her. She withdrew her hand slowly.
‘Thank you. You are rather like your son or rather he is very like you. I appreciate the offer, one day I might take you up on it. At the moment I think we have enough on our plates. Im only concerned that I didn’t upset your wifr by implying she didn’t notice her own son’s discomfort.’
‘You needn’t worry. She is too wrapped in her own distress to notice what you said. She is very frightened today.’
‘Yes, something is going to happen today. I don’t know what. The baby I think and Greg will want to be with her, so we must all be prepared.’
Sally came back into the room looking pale and distraught she smiled abstractly at them both. ‘I feel so useless’ She murmured. ‘I just wish I could do something’
‘You could if you will’ Bronwyn shot her a keen glance, her strange light eyes; always had an adverse effect on Sally who smiled nervously and looked at John. ‘I would be glad to if it would help’