by Carol Wyer
‘Of course we shall. It won’t be as big an event as this, but it’ll be a good enough shindig.’
In one corner stood Susannah with her husband Dave, an amiable man who wore a permanent smile on his face and seemed determined to keep his hand on Susannah’s backside. They were in conversation with Marcia who had brought along her boyfriend, Mitch, a beefy rugby player from Cardiff. Jasmine was also visible, dancing with an athletic man who was later introduced as her husband, Robin, an ex-ice skating champion who now judged ice skating competitions all over the world. Art, Patricia and several of her favourite customers who frequented the café had also turned up to celebrate her birthday. Art started on the buffet ahead of the others while Patricia was occupied talking. He waved at Charlie, gave her a thumbs up for the food, piled his plate high with vol-au-vents and went to hide in another room to scoff them.
Charlie was dragged on to the dance floor by a group of female patients she had befriended at the hospital, including Fatima. She wanted Charlie to show off her belly dancing moves. Charlie refused but Susannah took up the challenge, much to the delight of Fatima’s sons.
A couple of hours later, the buffet was demolished, the birthday cake had been cut and distributed but the drinks continued to flow. The atmosphere was most convivial. The dance floor was full to brimming, with some people dancing beside the tables, and Marcia dancing on top of one.
As ‘The Time Warp’ finished, Mercedes picked up the microphone. ‘Ladies and gentlemen, thank you all for coming tonight. If you wouldn’t mind returning to your chairs for a moment, I’d like to seize this opportunity to say a few words.’
The guests drifted back to their seats and Mercedes continued, ‘As you know, we’re here because it’s Charlie’s birthday. An important milestone of a birthday.’ She paused for a second. ‘However, we’re also here for another reason, one you may not know. At the beginning of the year, Charlie and I wrote out a few bucket list challenges. Or Carpe Diem challenges, as we called them. Neither of us are getting any younger and it seemed fitting to try and do things that we’d put off. Charlie was, well, not to put too fine a point on it, drunk. Actually, she was completely wasted.’ There were laughs from the crowd. ‘Given the state she was in and because I’d also consumed more than my fair share of alcohol, I decided we should swap lists. I still don’t know why I came up with that idea.’
‘Because you’re a minx!’ yelled one of the nurses.
Mercedes nodded. ‘That’ll be why.’ She continued, ‘So, as a consequence, Charlie got to do all my exciting challenges, sampled bush tucker cuisine, rode a roller coaster while playing a kazoo and went zip-lining and I got to do Charlie’s choices, which meant I had to learn to cook and knit!’ She yawned in an exaggerated fashion and earned some more laughter. ‘No, to be serious for a moment, they weren’t dull challenges. Let me explain. Charlie’s choices weren’t centred around herself. Mine were. I wanted to have a go at adrenaline-filled experiences and out-of-the-ordinary activities. Charlie’s involved doing something for others. She decided she would learn to knit. Not just knit. She wanted to knit a garment that would appear in a charity fashion show. I have to admit, here, that I was the person who decided that the garment would be a onesie,’ she smirked. ‘As we know, Charlie’s an ace cake-maker and loves cooking. She wanted to be a contestant on the television show Nosh for Dosh, but she wasn’t after the fame. It says on her list, and I have it here: “Be selected for TV show Nosh For Dosh and win the prize, then buy everyone lottery tickets with the prize money. Let’s all have a shot at winning.”’ Mercedes halted and looked towards Ryan.
‘So, Ryan and I took the prize money to the local shop and bought everyone in this room five lucky dip lottery tickets. They’re in envelopes under your chairs. So, if you’d like to feel under your chair now, there should be an envelope stuck to it. Pull it off and you’ll find a lottery ticket inside it.’ People rummaged about under their seats and removed the envelopes. A couple of people stood up, turned over their chairs and tugged at the envelopes secured by thick pieces of sellotape.
‘Blame Ryan,’ shouted Mercedes, laughing. ‘He didn’t want any of the envelopes to fall off and spoil the surprise so he taped some up with extra sticky tape. I think it’s what they use at crime scenes.’ There were guffaws and chuckles. ‘I would just like to add that the local newsagent is extremely grateful for your business and gave me a free chocolate bar to keep me quiet, while he attempted to churn out all these tickets. I think he had a lie-down after he’d finished. Even his machine went slow towards the end!’
‘Don’t forget to check your tickets later. They’re for tonight’s draw. Okay, just to sum up. I think Charlie had some fun experiences by doing my list and thanks to some of them, she managed to raise almost five thousand pounds for City Hospital Radio, which is a heck of an achievement. See, she even managed to turn my list into one that helped other people. She’s a wonderful woman. I know you all agree with me. I’d like to thank her for being such a good friend, to us all. I’d also like to thank her on a personal level. Thanks to her list, I can now cook and I enjoy it.’
‘I enjoy it more,’ shouted Ryan.
‘I’ve taken up knitting professionally and have started a new business selling knitwear for dogs, called Ruffwear, so if you want a new coat, or onesie, for your woofer then contact me. Sorry, I had to get the plug in,’ she added.
‘The challenges also taught me to relax. Knitting is incredibly therapeutic and lowers blood pressure, heart rate and so on. Who’d have thought it? Well, that has had other benefits. Ones I couldn’t have imagined possible.’ She looked over at Charlie who clamped her hand to her mouth. Mercedes gave an imperceptible nod. ‘So, Charlie, thank you again and happy birthday.’
The crowd applauded. They gave three cheers.
‘Speech, Charlie!’ yelled Art.
Charlie stood up, walked to the front and gave Mercedes a hearty hug before taking the microphone from her. ‘I’m not very good at speeches,’ she began. ‘So I’ll keep this brief and promise I won’t tell you any jokes. I am completely overwhelmed by the whole evening. Thank you all for being here and sharing my birthday with me. I am so fortunate to know you all. A huge thank you to Mercedes and Ryan for organising this event. I don’t know where I would have been without you guys. As you know, it’s been a tough few years for me but thanks to Mercedes and having done those challenges she set me, I’ve started to live life again. And because of the challenges, I met some incredible people, new friends and the love of my life, Jake Meredith.’ She paused to blow him a kiss. ‘Then there’s Art and Patricia who have given me more than friendship. I’ve enjoyed baking for them and I really enjoy working at their café. And I must mention Peggy who’s been like a mother to me and of course there’s Bert who is my absolute hero. Finally, thanks to all my friends and colleagues at City especially all of those who work on the radio. I love you all. I’m so sorry I couldn’t do more to save the hospital radio station.’ There was a pause. ‘Anyway, thank you everyone and that’s all from me. I hope you enjoy the rest of the evening.’
The room filled with applause and cheers then after a while, the music started up again. The DJ was playing ‘Lady in Red’. Jake took her hand and guided her to the dance floor where they glided together lost in their own private world. She nuzzled into his neck as he held her gently. Charlie had never felt happier.
Jake pulled back and looked into her eyes. ‘I love you, Charlie Blundell,’ he whispered.
‘I love you too, Jake Meredith,’ she replied. She’d known for ages she loved him but this was the first time she had spoken the words.
‘Come on,’ he said, taking her again by the hand. He eased them through the dancing crowd and outside. It was warm and the stars shone out from a midnight-blue sky.
‘Whenever I look at the stars, I’m reminded how small and insignificant we all are,’ Charlie said.
‘In the great scheme of things, I suppose we are microscopic and uni
mportant, but it’s the here and now that counts. And some people are far more significant in our lives than others. I hope you’ll decide to play a major part in my life, Charlie Blundell.’
Mercedes interrupted them. Ryan accompanied her, carrying a bottle of champagne and four glasses.
‘Well?’ said Charlie, grasping her friend’s hands in hers. ‘Am I right in assuming that you and Ryan are going to be parents?’
Mercedes nodded, eyes shining with excitement. Ryan handed the glasses to Jake and opened the bottle.
‘I thought so. It wasn’t just what you said tonight. You’ve been positively glowing for a fortnight. I had a feeling that might be the reason.’
‘See, good friends work on a telepathic level. I wanted to tell you, but I didn’t dare until it was confirmed. You’re the first to know. Apart from my beloved inspector, naturally.’
‘Oh Mercedes. I can’t tell you how thrilled I am for you.’
‘The consultant was right. I was too worked up. I needed to unwind and stop thinking about getting pregnant. You know me. I want things now and I get frustrated when I can’t have them. Your challenges were just what I needed. I forgot about my disability and learned to relax and it just happened,’ she said, rubbing her still flat stomach. ‘I’ll soon have a proper challenge on my hands and won’t yearn to do daft, extraordinary activities to test myself. Having a child and bringing it up will be enough.’
Ryan filled the glasses.
‘To Charlie,’ said Mercedes.
‘No, to you both and to the new life. It’s going to be the luckiest child in the world to have you two as its parents.’ She pushed thoughts of Amy to the back of her mind. This was not the time to mourn. It was the time to celebrate new life.
‘This is for you. You have no idea how long it took me and how patient Patricia had to be with me.’ Mercedes handed Charlie a wrapped present.
Puzzled, Charlie opened it. It was a small piece of pottery painted in blues, greens and yellows. It was of three parrots sitting together on a branch. Charlie gasped.
‘Oh my! Oh Mercedes! However did you manage to make this? It’s spectacular!’
‘I have to say it was the most difficult challenge you gave me. I’ve spent an eternity with Patricia trying to get it right. We had so many failed attempts. If it had been one parrot, you’d have received it several months ago, but three. That tasked my patience. I kept having accidents with them and broke them or got one wrong. In the end, I made three separate ones then we stuck them onto one branch. They’re pretty robust. Patricia was incredible. She has the patience of a saint. She helped me paint them too because by then I was petrified I’d break them once more. And she glazed them for me.’
Tears rolled down Charlie’s face. ‘This means so much. You know that, don’t you?’ she stammered. Jake squeezed her hand gently.
‘Of course I do, Charlie. That’s why I refused to give up. They’re not the best- made parrots in the world, but they’ve been made with love. Just as much as you’d have poured into them. I know why you wanted to do this. If you still want to do it yourself, I’m sure Patricia will help you.’
‘No, these are perfect. I love you, Mercedes. You are the kindest, sweetest―’
‘Stop right there. I don’t do mush. You know how grateful I am to you. This is nothing by comparison. Now, wipe your eyes. You look like a Goth.’
Charlie smiled and rubbed at the mascara under her eyes. An emergency exit door to the hotel crashed open and the four of them turned around in surprise. Susannah came rushing out into the night, breathless.
‘Thank goodness you’re here. We thought you’d left,’ she said.
‘Is everything okay?’
Susannah caught her breath. ‘It’s Art. He’s collapsed. Patricia is with him along with some of the hospital staff. An ambulance is on its way. We think it’s his heart.’
‘Oh my goodness,’ said Charlie, handing her glass to Jake. ‘He’s overdone it. I saw him eating a pile of food at the buffet.’
‘I don’t think it was the food. It was the shock.’
‘Shock?’
‘Yes, Pat checked their lottery numbers on her mobile. I think they’ve won the jackpot.’
Sixty-Eight
Charlie squinted at the computer screen. ‘You look suntanned and I think you’ve lost weight,’ she said.
Art beamed back at her. ‘I’ve never felt better. Coming to Italy was the best move we’ve made.’
‘He’s so much healthier since we started him on a proper Mediterranean diet. The tomatoes here are enormous,’ Patricia piped up. ‘As long as he stays off the pasta, he’ll be fine. I think the climate and the slower pace of life help too.’
‘How’s the bed and breakfast going?’
‘We’re fully booked for next summer already. We’re going to convert the old barn into a gallery workshop for my classes over the next few months, so it should be ready for the new season. I hope you’ll both come over, with Toby, of course, next year and see the place.’
‘Definitely,’ said Jake, leaning over Charlie’s shoulder. ‘Try and stop us.’
‘We’ve spent all the lottery winnings now on renovating the old house. We also bought Art an ultra-modern bicycle, so he can keep up his exercise routine. I don’t want him having another health scare,’ Patricia continued.
‘Good thing we only had five numbers and the bonus ball and didn’t win the jackpot. I’m sure knowing we had eight million pounds to spend would have killed me,’ interrupted Art.
‘I read in the paper that a syndicate won the money. They’ve only recently claimed it too. They’ve not gone public about it,’ Charlie said.
‘I don’t blame them. Imagine all the begging letters. We were more than happy with twenty-five thousand pounds. We don’t need any more than that. We have everything we need and each other,’ said Patricia.
‘That’s the most important thing,’ Charlie replied.
‘We have to go. Our Italian neighbours have invited us around for dinner. Lovely to talk to you both. Speak again soon.’
They signed off blowing kisses.
‘Don’t they look well?’ said Charlie after they had shut down the computer.
‘Yes,’ Jake agreed. ‘They needed time to relax and enjoy themselves more. I think the move to Italy was right for them. Now señorita, let’s go out to celebrate our new venture.’
Sixty-Nine
Mercedes and Ryan were at the Art café. Mercedes was showing off her latest doggie creation – a Christmas hoody. ‘They’ve been selling so well. I love doing this and I can continue with it once the baby’s born. It’s so enjoyable. I can spend hours crafting new articles.’
‘You look much more content these days,’ commented Charlie, wiping paint off the end of her thumb.
‘I have every reason to. The baby is due in a few months. I have a wonderful husband and a new career to keep me occupied. I feel completely fulfilled.’
‘Sounds like a few of us are starting afresh. Thanks to Art and Patricia, we now have this place to keep us happy. It’s transformed our lives,’ said Jake, climbing down from a ladder.
‘I thought yours was transformed the day you met Charlie,’ Mercedes replied.
‘Ah, you’re right about that.’
‘Funny how we’re all moving on,’ said Charlie. I spoke to Susannah on Facebook last week. She and Dave have just bought a holiday villa near Agadir in Morocco. Susannah has a profile picture of her sitting on a camel on her Facebook page. Marcia’s returned to Australia with that hunk of hers and is running her own belly dancing classes.’
Ryan pointed to a large sign propped against a wall. ‘I see you’ve taken down the old Art Café sign. You changing the name of the café?’
‘Yes, they were happy for us to take over completely and change the name and style of the place. It’ll still be a café. Jake can’t wait to start cooking up his recipes and I’m going to do deserts and cakes. We’re taking on a couple of serving staff.
Tina is joining us.’
‘Tina from the hospital coffee shop?’
‘Yes, she’s going to be a part-time manageress so we don’t become slaves to the business. Come and see the new room. It’s finished.’
Charlie led them to the back room which was no longer the craft shop but a stylish bistro eating area, in shades of light green, blue and cream. A tropical island scene had been painted on the far wall. In it, two parrots cavorted on branches of a palm tree overlooking a perfect white-sand beach. One bird looked suspiciously like Bert. A third flew high above the azure blue sea.
‘Patricia painted it for me before she left. I told her what I wanted.’
‘It’s beautiful,’ said Mercedes. ‘It makes you feel so happy. It’s like there are no cares in the world. You can come and sit here and be transported to a happy island.’
‘That’s exactly what I wanted it to do,’ replied Charlie with a contented sigh.
She pointed out a sign leaning against the wall in the hall and Jake pulled at a dustcover to reveal the sign.
‘Three Little Birds,’ read Ryan.
‘That’s right. I want people to enjoy themselves here. It’ll be a place for them to come and chill out when they’re having a bad day, or come to for a nice meal. Life doesn’t always have to be hard. We shouldn’t spend it all worrying. It can be a difficult journey but, as we all know, in the end, every little thing will be all right.’
Jake took Ryan off to show him the new kitchen. Mercedes remained behind with Charlie.
‘I guess it’s time to hand you back your Carpe Diem list. There’s one challenge I can’t do. Thought you should take it on, if you can. You’d better take a look at that last scrawled line.’
Charlie squinted. ‘Oh dear, this writing is terrible.’ She read the words, smiled at her friend, and then folded the paper.
‘What do you reckon? Think you can handle it?’
‘I reckon that’s perfectly achievable,’ Charlie replied, folding the paper and winking at her friend.