by Shirley Roe
“Oh Darling, I knew it would work. I just knew it.” She hugged him tightly. Tears ran down Harry's cheeks as he held her. “Harry, what is it? Did I hurt you?”
“No, my dearest Jenny. I am just so grateful for your love and your persistence. You never waver from the task. I love you, Jenny, I know I haven't shown it, but I love you.” She pulled his head close, holding him tenderly. Harry was her life.
“I love you, my Darling. You will walk again, Harry.”
Mr. Cho continued the treatments and Harry worked harder than ever. Jenny was very pleased. He started to show improvement, but he was moody. One day he was determined and smiling, while the next day he appeared to be lost. There was no spark in his eyes and Jenny was very worried. She knew he was missing his work.
One morning, Zachariah produced the solution. He arrived with a huge man at his side.
“Who is this, Zachariah?” Jenny stared at the man curiously. Hamish sniffed the man's shoes and then sat at his feet. Jenny found this very odd.
“Jenny, my dear, allow me to introduce Lawrence.” Jenny shook the huge hand. He was a giant of a man, who towered over both of them by at least a foot. She had no idea what he was doing here.
“Nice to meet you, Lawrence.” She looked at Zachariah eyebrows raised.
“Lawrence is going to take Harold to the hospital to work. I have arranged it with the head of the hospital and he starts today.” Jenny could not believe what she was hearing as she stared at Zachariah in amazement. Lawrence bent down and quietly smiling, he scratched Hamish's head.
“Let's go and tell him now shall we?” Zachariah and Lawrence headed for the study with a dumbfounded Jenny and a tail wagging Hamish, trailing behind. Harry sat in his wheelchair staring blankly out the window.
“Harry old chap, I have a surprise.” Harry turned slowly, disinterested in anything at the moment. He nodded to Zachariah and then turned his attention to the giant at his side.
“Lawrence, this great craobh, will be taking you to work every day. It is all arranged and we will not hear any arguments.” Jenny had to laugh at the small, yet determined Zachariah ordering Harry to go to work. It was comical. She could not help, but think of a tiny child barking orders with a giant standing behind them for confidence. She also snickered at Zachariah's use of craobh, the Gaelic word for tree, to describe Lawrence; it was very fitting. She suppressed her laughter and waited to see Harry's reaction. Jenny watched Harry's expression turn from disinterest to curiosity.
“ I asked you a question, man. Now are you ready to get back to work?”
Slowly, but surely, the light returned to his eyes. “Work? Did you say I was going back to work? In this contraption, it seems impossible. I can't get out of the house, Zachariah.”
“Now you can. Lawrence here is going to take you to the door, lift you up and carry you into the car. He will then load your chair and go with you to the hospital. The hospital has arranged a ground floor office for you.”
Harry was overwhelmed. He looked at Lawrence. Harry himself was six foot two, but this man towered over him. He looked strong enough to pick up Harry and Jenny together. Lawrence said little, but he smiled at Harry. Harry turned his attention to Jenny, who held her breath waiting for his response. Tears appeared in his eyes. Jenny went to him, putting her arm on his shoulder. “Harry, dearest, you will try won't you?” He looked up at her. She was trying so hard and Harry felt badly that he couldn't do what she wanted him to. He wanted to walk again, but it seemed impossible. He looked into her pleading blue eyes.
“Now are you ready to work or not man?” Zachariah asked firmly.
He would do it for Jenny. “Well, let's give it a try. Lawrence, it is nice to meet you. Looks like you and I will be spending a lot of time together.” Harry offered his hand to the giant. A huge hand engulfed his and shook it enthusiastically.
“Don't worry, Master Harry, I won't drop you.” They all laughed.
He looked at the huge tree- like man, Craobh, as Zachariah called him, and shuddered. It was one thing to return to work, but being picked up like a baby by this giant was very intimidating. Hesitantly, Harry let Lawrence wheel him to the front door. The giant reached down and lifted him like a child. “Please be careful, Lawrence.” Jenny fretted. Harry felt awkward at first, but once he was in the car, he felt exhilarated. Zachariah smiled at him and then turned to Jenny.
“Thank you, Zachariah, thank you.” She kissed his wrinkled cheek.
Zachariah climbed into the back of the car with Harry, and Lawrence took his place in front with Stewart. Harry turned to Zachariah and said, “Tapaah leibh.” He offered his hand.
Taking the extended hand, Zachariah responded, “You are very welcome, my friend.” Hamish and Jenny watched them drive away with tears of joy on her face.
That was the day he returned to work and the spark came back into his life.
When he arrived at the hospital, Harry was perspiring with nervous energy. The staff was waiting at the front door to welcome Dr. Mitchell back. Harry was embarrassed when Lawrence picked him up and set him in his wheelchair in front of the staff, but a great cheer went up from the crowd. It gave him a wonderful feeling of support. He put his embarrassment aside, thanked Lawrence and joined his colleagues.
He started with three hours each day at the hospital and Jenny was thrilled. As soon as he came home, she would start his therapy. Day after day she worked with him and Harry continued to go to the hospital to see his patients. His wheelchair made it more difficult, but the office on the main floor, which the staff had set up for him, allowed him to move around. Everyone did his or her best to accommodate Dr. Mitchell. The staff was in awe of Jenny's dedication. Harry was grateful to Zachariah, therefore, he ordered a year's subscription of theater tickets to the King Theater for Abigail and Zachariah as a thank you. They were thrilled, but refused to take it at first. Harry convinced them that they could go to the theater every week. Some new and very exciting shows were coming to the King Theater, they finally accepted.
Amy finally convinced Jenny to go out every morning while Harry was at work and it gave them both a much-needed break.
Amy was thrilled that she and Jenny had time together. “I have missed you. I love our lunches and girlie chats.” Jenny smiled at Amy. “Jenny, you are a wonder.”
“No, Harry is the one that did all the hard work. One day he will walk again Amy, you just wait and see.” Amy looked skeptical, but she kept her opinion to herself. She was just happy to see Harry back at work and the relationship back on track. She had been worried about Jenny and Harry's marriage. Now she felt relieved.
Abigail visited once a week, helping Harry by teaching him to breathe and relax. Mr. Cho came once a week for Harry's treatment. Abigail and Mr. Cho had great conversations about breathing techniques, acupuncture, Chinese medicine and Buddha, and Abigail looked forward to her visits with Mr. Cho. She even invited him over for dinner. Jenny and Harry laughed about the blossoming friendship and Zachariah referred to Mr. Cho as Abigail's Leannan, or sweetheart.
Zachariah became Harry's carriage master. The chauffeur, Stewart liked old Zachariah and Lawrence, and the three had many good laughs together. Every day, Zachariah would appear at the door to escort Harry to the hospital, accompanied by Lawrence, who put him in and out of the Rolls Royce. Harry was overwhelmed with appreciation for everyone in his life, especially Jenny. It made him more determined than ever to walk again.
One afternoon, Jenny and Harry worked on his exercises. “Harry, lift your leg higher. Come on try, Harry. Just try.” Jenny leaned over to assist him.
“Don't touch me, Jenny. Just let me do it myself.” She looked at him in surprise. He always needed her help. Slightly offended, she stood back and waited.
Slowly Harry raised his left foot off the floor. He extended his foot from the knee straightening until his leg was horizontal. He returned the foot to the floor. Jenny put her hand to her mouth in awe. “Harry, you did it. You did it by yourself.”
“Yes, Love. I actually did it yesterday, but I wanted to surprise you.”
“Oh, Harry, this means your leg is getting better. What about the other one?”
“Not yet, Jenny, but let's keep working.” She hugged him tightly. Harry looked at her with such love. She never gave up on him. Sometimes she pushed him until he was ready to scream, but she never gave up. He loved his Jenny. Hamish sensing a celebration wagged his tail and came to rub his head on Harry's hand. Harry tossled the dog's ears joyfully.
It took eleven months for Harry to stand without his wheelchair and he walked with an exaggerated limp and the help of his canes, but walk he did. Jenny was so proud of him.
Amy and Gordon were amazed at both of them. “Let's have a party to celebrate. We must let everyone know that Harry is walking again.” Amy was thrilled to see her cousin walking.
“A party? What a wonderful idea. Jenny needs a party. No, Jenny deserves a party.” Harry laughed at Amy, who was already planning it.
Miles and the other members of staff were happy to join the Mitchells in the celebration. “Jenny, you are a miracle worker.” Miles watched Harry; one leg seemed to drag behind him while he used the two canes for balance. “Harry seems to be able to put some weight on his bad leg. I am very impressed.” Jenny beamed with pride.
“I told you he would walk again, Miles. He is a fighter, my Harry.”
Jenny invited the entire staff to join the party. She hired outside caterers so that all of the staff could enjoy the evening. They were surprised and very appreciative. Cook told Abigail that the Mitchells were the best employers in Edinburgh. Abigail smiled knowing that not only were they the best, they were probably the only ones that would treat the staff as equals by inviting them to a party. Mr. Cho and Abigail spent most of the night chatting with the members of the staff. Some of the staff was uncomfortable at first, but the attention from Abigail and Mr. Cho was appreciated and soon they all relaxed. Jenny and Amy stopped to make conversation and happy that Cook and the others were enjoying the party. It made them feel special and they were all thrilled to see their master walking again.
With the use of his legs, Harry also regained his confidence. He owed Jenny his life. One thing that had been missing for almost a year was lovemaking. Harry felt incapable. Although physically able, he had no confidence and he felt less than a man. The night of the party, he and Jenny reunited and celebrated their love for each other. She was overjoyed.
Life returned to normal for the Mitchells and it was not long before Jenny was once again with child. This time she was determined to take very good care of herself. Jenny never told Harry, but she never got over the feeling that she was at fault when baby William died. She asked Cook to set up the nursery and the entire staff was excited with the prospect of a baby in the house.
Gordon and Harry sat in the Gentlemen's Club enjoying some male companionship.
“I tell you there is trouble in the Balkans. First, the Italians defeat the Turks and take Libya, and then the others banned together.” Gordon didn't say much, but it was obvious that he was a deep thinker. “I can't help but worry.”
“I agree, Gordon, If Greece, Bulgaria and the Serbs defeat, Turkey they best watch their own allies. I would not be surprised if internal struggles start.” All eyes were on Europe, and the people of Britain were holding their breath. It seemed likely they would be drawn into a war.
Baby Rose Abigail Mitchell, was born on Sept. 1st. She was a healthy, bouncing baby girl and her parents were ecstatic. Grandma Abigail knitted her beautiful sweaters and hats. Hamish lay at the foot of the cradle, guarding the newest family member and Grandpa Zachariah handed out cigars at the Gentlemen's Club. Everyone was thrilled, especially Jenny.
She held her tiny baby in her arms, the rocking chair rocking out a steady rhythm as Jenny sang a lullaby to baby Rose. Jenny had never felt such love for another human being. It was a different kind of love than she felt for Harry. She reached down and stroked the dog's back. He was a faithful companion. Harry and she were very lucky to have come through the last few years with a wonderful baby and Harry walking again. He would always have a limp and need a cane to walk, but he was managing very well. Jenny was very content and happy. She felt like the luckiest woman alive.
1914
Chapter Eighteen
“I can't believe it is Brian's eighth birthday, Arthur.” The family was gathered to celebrate. Brian, now a tall, thin boy with dark hair, opened his gifts with glee. His sister, six-year-old Dorothy, pouted because she did not get any gifts.
“Dorothy, it is Brian's birthday. You will have gifts on your birthday in a few months. Go and see, Da.” The little red haired girl ran to Tim. He lifted her high in the air, spinning her around. She giggled.
“Da, I want presents too.” She looked at him with her big sad eyes. He reached into his pocket, pulling out a tiny box with a pink bow. She squealed with delight. “Oh Da, I love you.”
Quickly, she tore the ribbon from the box, finding a tiny bracelet inside. Putting it on, she ran to show everyone. Arthur laughed.
“You spoil them, Tim.”
“I know, Arthur, but I have to tell you I am very worried about this war. I won't have my family threatened by some bloody Germans. The lads from the pit are signing up in droves. That fiasco in the Balkans has brought things to a head. With Germany declaring war on Russia, France supporting the Russians and now Germany declares war on France.”
“I know, my boy. Britain is forced to do whatever it can with the Germans in Belgium”
“I worry that the Germans will be here next, Arthur. This is a very bad situation indeed.”
Eight months later, Tim McKitterek signed up and went to war. His wife, Elizabeth was pregnant with their third child. His brother-in-law, Sammy signed up a week later. Megan was devastated.
In Edinburgh the war was having it's impact on everyone. The Royal Scots were leaving for the front and several Serbian refugees arrived in the city and were educated at George Heriot's School. James Gillespie High School taught soldiers how to cook and the city hospitals opened their doors for the war wounded.
Jenny sat in Abigail's sunny kitchen. “I miss this kitchen and our conversations sometimes.”
“This kitchen? With the lovely home you have, why would you miss this wee room?”
“It's not the room, it's the love and the comfortable feeling that I get when I am here.” She took a second oatcake, “And these delicious oatcakes.”
“Mommy, can I have another?” Little Rose had her mother's passion for Abigail's oatcakes. Abigail passed her the plate, and the chubby little hands reached for another.
“How was Rose today?” turning to her daughter she added, “I hope you were good for Grandma Abigail.”
“Grandma and I played checkers and I won!” Abigail was always happy to watch Rose when Jenny was busy with her volunteer work. The war created a great need in the city for volunteers. Jenny's talent for bookkeeping was invaluable at the Red Cross and she used her contacts from her days at city hall to bring in donations. Jenny gave as much time as she could. With five-year-old Rose, safe and sound with Abigail, she was free to help in any way possible.
She and Rose returned home. The youngster ran to find her father, with Hamish close behind. She returned with a pout. “Oh, Da is not home yet. Wait until I tell him that I beat Grandma Abigail again.”
When Harry returned from the hospital, he was tired. “Jenny, this war has changed the face of Edinburgh. I sometimes think it has made people more generous, more loving somehow. The number of volunteers at the hospital has doubled.” He sat on the settee. Rose ran into his arms. “And how was your day, little one?”
“I beat Grandma three times at checkers, I am the new champion! Grandpa says that soon I will be so good. I will beat him. Do you think I will, Da?” Harry chatted with Rose until her nanny came to give her a bath. Jenny handed him a whisky.
“It was a rough day today. More wounded
were brought in.”
“I am sure you are dealing with some terrible cases at the hospital. Those poor men and let's not forget the families. I see wives and mothers everyday that wonder if their husband will come home. The Red Cross is overflowing and we need all the volunteers we can get.” Jenny loved working with the Red Cross a few days a week. She felt that she had to make a contribution somehow. Although she was an excellent homemaker and mother, she enjoyed the challenges and the people. “Did you know the Canadian Expeditionary Force soldiers from the Six Nations Reservation in Canada arrived in the city today? We were finding temporary homes for them while they are here. Everyone is being most generous. The few soldiers that I spoke with were very interesting. I have never seen an Indian before.”
Harry laughed at her. In all the chaos, Jenny was fascinated with meeting an Indian. “The Port of Leith has opened six hospitals to the war wounded and I will be working there twice a week. I hope this war ends before we lose too many men.” Jenny kissed him. For the first time, she was glad that Harry's legs had been injured. It meant that he could not go to war. She could not bear to lose him.
“Harry, you know all of the children that are arriving every day from England? Some of them are orphans, but others are being sent north by their parents, for safety. Their parents must be desperate to save them to send them so far from home.”
“Yes, Jenny. We have had a few arrive at the hospital for medical clearance. People are opening their homes to the war orphans, especially farmers. I assume they are being given jobs on the farms.”
“Actually Harry, there is one special lad that I wanted to talk to you about. His name is Walter and he is only thirteen-years-old. I would like you to meet him.”
“Meet him? Why Jenny?” Harry had her full attention now. Jenny had something on her mind. He knew her well. “What are you thinking, Love?”
“I just thought that if you met Walter, you would think that he should come and live with us, as one of the gardeners perhaps. He is a sweet boy, an orphan, but has a learning disability. He can't read or write and he is a bit slow, but he is charming and I know Rose would love him.” Jenny was talking fast, trying to convince Harry that it would be a good idea.