by Louise James
‘Would you pack a bag for Greg, I know he must have one already for when he goes in but he will need an overnight if Olwen goes in first.’ He will want to go with her but he mustn’t travel more than necessary, They will give him a bed should he need it. I have discussed this with Doctor Davies and he agrees with me. Don’t you think that is best?’ John stood up. ‘You will see to that, love won’t you?’
‘Of course I will. I’m sure Olwen’s and the baby’s is already to go.’
‘I would put them together if I were you. I’ve a feeling they will need them by tomorrow.’
Ray put his head around the door. I’m seeing to the animals if you want me. Fred is staying on too. Something is going to happen soon I can feel it in my water. Give us a shout if you need me.’
Olwen came through from the lounge.
‘Granny, Can you come? I’m having quite a lot of pain suddenly. I woke up with it
‘How often are they coming?’ Bronwyn was on her feet glancing at the clock.
‘I don’t know but here comes another one.’ She bent over. ‘That’s about six minutes I think.’
‘We’d better get going. Sally would you give Ray a shout please while I fetch her bag.’ Greg appeared in the doorway. ‘I must get a quick wash, I am coming with you.’
‘Are you up you up to it? Bronwyn’s going with her, we could go in later.’
‘Of course I’m going, I’ve practically slept all day. I’m fine it’s Olwen I’m worried about.’
‘What’s that noise?’ Ray coming in the back door with Megan opened the lounge door. ‘It’s your bleeper Greg. What are you waiting for? ‘He raced to the phone, calling for Greg as he ran.
‘What are we going to do?’ Sally began to sob. ‘It’s all happening at once and all of it urgent’ John raced up stairs. ‘Come on Sally. Grab a few things quickly we’re going with him.’
‘A helicopter will be here in less than fifteen minutes. Greg old son, I wish you the best of luck.’ With a man hug and a tear in his eye Ray grabbed the jeep keys and ran to start the motor. Greg took his wife in his arms.
‘I don’t want to leave you to go through this alone and I so wanted to see our baby born. But I have to go too. Please God we’ll be back together soon. Don’t cry Sweetheart. It’s not over yet. Take care of yourself and the little one. I will come back I promise’
Olwen struggling to cope with it all hugged and kissed him tears pouring down her face. ‘Oh Greg, you must go quickly. I want to be with you too but you mustn’t worry about us, just get well as quickly as you can so we can be together for ever. I love you and it is all really wonderful news. We just can’t see it yet. She gasped as another contraction grabbed her. Greg kissed her hard on the lips. ‘Love you my angel.’ See you soon God willing.’
Sobbing in each other’s arms they were lost to all around them until Bronwyn took Olwen’s arm and led her to the car. John and Sally came downstairs with their overnight things and Greg’s holdall just as the sound of the Helicopter came above the trees. ‘Megan are you going to be alright on your own? I’m worried about you alone here with Rocky especially at night.’ Sally put an arm around the sobbing girl.
‘Im okay I’m just worried sick about everyone and can’t do anything about any of it. Don’t worry Ray will be back as soon as Olwen’s settled, before dark anyway.’
‘She hugged Greg.’ Good luck Greg bring that new heart back safe.’ He kissed her.
‘Thank you Megan, for all you’ve done and are doing. Look after Ray for me’
‘I will’
The paramedics were at the door after checking Greg over they seated him in a chair and his parents walking behind him tears in their eyes but hope in their hearts, he flew away to the biggest adventure of his life.
Chapter 41
Megan stood a long time in the untidy house lost in the aftermath of sudden departure. Silence filled the room. Hers was the hard part waiting, wondering, hoping praying, listening for a phone call bringing birth or death, new life or bitter end. She sighed hearing Samuel Peeps barking she let him out and fed him before doing the same for Rocky who was moping about wondering where everyone had gone. Shortly afterwards Fred arrived after shutting in the chickens and feeding the horses, seeing her distress he sat with her for a while. As he left he patted her arm.
‘Keep cheerful Lass, they need you here for them. They be all emotionally involved and need a strong maid like you at their backs.’ They went about their tasks knowing there wouldn’t be any news for a long time.
Fred had finished but was talking a long while at the gate with Glen Edwards who had come to see if there was anything he could do. Megan watched them for a while until finally pulling herself together she set about cleaning and tidying. She sat awhile with a cup of tea cooling at her side staring into the darkening shadows of the evening sky. The hill lay in shadow, young lambs calling demanding their dams answer. The soft notes of a wood dove called from the roof of the shed. The scent of wallflowers mingled with the smell of the bonfire left burning in the garden drifted idly through the open window. It was growing colder now but occasionally lightning played about the hills. There was no bright sunset but a black cloud edged in gold lay across the skyline, promise of a storm before morning. Megan sat on until late waiting for Ray, her thoughts swinging like a pendulum between Olwen in the delivery room and Greg quite possibly already on the operating table. Alone in the gathering darkness Megan prayed.
Greg lay in a side ward waiting. He could hardly remember the journey, so elated with the chance of life, so unhappy at leaving Olwen when she needed him most, so worried about both. In pain both mentally and physically he just lay at the end of a very long journey. His parents had been with him until a short while ago only persuaded to leave when the doctors came to examine him. Greg saw Mr McLoughlin arrive with pleasure. The keen grey eyes smiled into his.
‘Good to see you Greg. You have worked very hard at staying alive. I said you were a fighter.’ After the examination the Consultants had talked outside for a while then MrMcLoughlin had sat for a while asking what Greg had been doing. Gradually he had drawn from him a picture of the past year. He was amazed at the story.
‘I am delighted about your wife and baby. It must be a delight for you.’ On hearing that the baby was even now on the way, he commiserated at Greg missing the birth.
‘That’s sod’s law at work as usual. I will phone for news for you and keep you posted. You couldn’t have helped much anyway. Men only get in the way.’ His eyes twinkled sympathetically. True to his word he phoned the hospital; all was well but baby hadn’t arrived yet.
Greg lay thinking about Olwen knowing there was a chance that he may never see her again or his child so eagerly awaited. He prayed silently that his little son or daughter wouldn’t give Olwen a bad time and all would go well.
‘My love my love. If I have to die how I would like to know which it is, not that it matters but I should like to know.’ He thought about the farm and how far it had come in the past year. It was practically ready to open, he felt instinctively it was going to be good, it was going to work. It had the right feel to it. Sponsorships had been overwhelming and still coming. Thanks mainly to Bronwyn although everyone had worked hard. He smiled at the thoughts of all the animals, remembering with a pang that he hadn’t said a goodbye to Rocky. His eyes filled with tears for his dog, his loved ones and himself. He prayed again that he might pull through.
He felt very sleepy, he wished they would hurry and get on with it. How long could you keep a heart anyway? He shuddered better not o think about that better to think of a clean white machine to replace his old clogged one. His thoughts turned to Patience who now served them well, he and Ray had enjoyed doing up that old Land rover. He could remember how they had shouted and laughed with glee when they found it. He was smiling as he fell asleep.
The orchard was in full
bloom, pink and white apple blossom, grass green and deep, thick with spring flowers. There came the bleating of goats and their kids and surely the squealing of young piglets. Birds were singing so loud it was almost impossible to hear anything else. He felt well and strong. He turned, the sun was hot on his face and looking down on the house it seemed strange. The old part was familiar but the new building had creepers and vines growing up to the roof, stared with small blue flowers. Surely they hadn’t grown that quickly? He looked over the wall that divided the garden from the orchard that too was well established. Soft fruit trees loaded waiting to be picked. He could see cabbages and onions in straight rows, flowers planted he hadn’t seen before. The sounds of children playing in a stream came to his ears, shouts and laughter, splashing noises. He turned again he saw Ray digging in a bed of shrubs, weeding and tying back roses. The new building nestled into the background as if it had always been there. A window was open in the farmhouse, a towel fluttering from it like a flag. As he stood watching the gate to the orchard was flung open and a small boy of about three years came running towards him.
‘Daddy, Daddy I wanted you and you was hiding’ Greg caught him, swinging him around high above his head. He heard his merry laugh, feeling the baby hands clutching his hair, looking deep into sparkling green eyes peeping from a riot of red –gold curls. ‘I know you’ He heard himself shout with laughter. ‘I know you.’
Mr Morgan, Greg? I know you have been sleeping already but it’s time for your pre-med and you can go back as soon as I give you this injection. There now you will be beautifully relaxed. Off to sleep again with you then we will take you for a little ride. Sister Knowles began to take the brake off his bed moving it away from the wall.
‘Sister there’s a phone call.’ A small dark nurse was hurrying up the ward. Sister Knowles left the bed and went with her to the office. Greg was dozing and almost asleep as she came back.
‘Greg, Greg. Can you still hear me?’ she shook his shoulder gently.
‘Yes’ he whispered.
‘Listen carefully. A message has just come through from Abergavenny hospital. It’s a lovely message for you. Can you still hear me?’
‘Yes’ He whispered again.
‘You have a son Greg. Olwen and Craig send their love. They are both well and your wife said to tell you that she loves you and Craig weighs eight pounds and has red hair.’ A smile spread over Greg’s face as he slid towards sleep. Sister leant over him to catch his words.
‘That’s magic’ he murmured.