by Paul Gait
Sue’s fury suddenly erupted into uncontrollable rage, her knuckles white as she gripped the steering wheel. The engine screamed as she angrily stamped on the accelerator. The first speed bump reminded her, too late, of how expensive frustration and speed could be in replacement exhaust systems.
‘Damn him and damn you too,’ she screeched, launching a well-aimed blow into his groin. You useless piece of shit. Wait until I get you home.’
The punch caused Rupert to double up in agony. He gagged uncontrollably as the pain rocketed up through his abdomen.
‘Don’t you dare be sick in my car,’ she shouted, reinforcing her command by hitting his already heavily bruised upper arm, where her previous attacks still remained, undetected.
CHAPTER THIRTY ONE
Tuesday October 14th – Sunset count 44
‘Well, I don’t know how he did it in such a short time, but the new hut arrived, was sited, and all the services installed, in just under three weeks,’ Andy explained to the District Commissioner, as he welcomed him to the opening of the new Scout Hut.
‘I wish all the Scout Groups had such a friendly benefactor,’ the other replied, taking in the new and well-appointed hut.
‘I’ve asked Mr. Foster to open it. I hope you don’t mind,’ Andy added apologetically.
‘Mind? Not at all. It’s nice just to attend, rather than having to make a speech. Most of these parental audiences aren’t interested anyway. They’re usually here under sufferance.’
‘Here he is now,’ Andy said, spotting the Mercedes Benz manoeuvring into the parking area. ‘If you don’t mind, I’ll introduce you later on,’ he said, walking towards the car.
‘Yes, of course. I’ll go and talk to some of your young people,’ the Commissioner said, heading off inside.
Geoffery had been buoyed up by the prospect of opening the new Scout Hut, so much so, that he felt strong enough to drive there.
‘Hi Andy!’ he said, opening the car door. ‘My, look at you in your Scout Leader’s uniform! Oh, I see you’ve got a gong too. Is that your Dib Dob badge?’ he said playfully, studying the badges on Andy’s shirt.
‘No. That’s my Medal of Merit. I’m very proud of that. It was awarded to me for setting up the Scouts in this area,’ Andy said proudly.
‘What’s the coloured handkerchief thing around your neck called?’
‘A neckerchief.’
‘That’s right. And it’s held together with a wiggle?’
‘No, it’s a plaited leather woggle.’
‘Well, you really look the part. It’s much better than your Nurses uniform anyway.’
‘I couldn’t let an auspicious occasion like this pass without doing it properly,’ Andy said beaming. ‘How was the journey? Are you OK?’
‘Took me a time to get into the car, but once I was seated, no problem. She is such a dream to drive. How have all your preparations been going?’ Geoffery asked, looking around.
‘Fine thanks. I’ve given Ben the job of welcoming everybody tonight. I’ll just get him to help you into the hut. Is your wheelchair still in the boot?’
‘Yes.’
As if waiting for a cue, Ben appeared by the car. Carefully removing, unfolding and manoeuvring the wheelchair to the driver’s door, he invited Geoffery to sit on it. ‘Here you are Geoffery, sorry,’ he said, realising he was being too familiar. ‘Mr Foster,’ he corrected.
‘No. Geoffery is fine. No need for formalities among friends.’
Andy and Ben helped Geoffery into the wheelchair and Ben wheeled him up the equal access ramp for a tour of the new hut.
‘It’s great! These prefabricated buildings come with so much equipment already installed,’ Ben said enthusiastically, steering the wheelchair along a corridor through a doorway.
‘Look! Here’s the kitchen. It came fully equipped,’ he enthused.
Geoffery could see a group of boys and girls all dressed in green shirts, they too were sporting the same yellow and black neckerchief that Andy and Ben wore. The group of young people was busily preparing trays of food. Shiny white china plates were being loaded with pineapple and cheese on sticks, crisps and nuts. Empty packets lay untidily in a crumpled heap on the new brown worktop. Some of the Scouts had obviously been sampling the food as it was being laid out, for they stopped chewing, cheeks bulging, looking guilty as the pair entered.
‘Perhaps we shouldn’t stay in there while they’re preparing the nibbles,’ Geoffery suggested tactfully.
‘Look everybody. It’s Geoffery,’ Ben said, proudly, thrilled at the honour of being Geoffery’s escourt.
The young people stopped their preparations for a second and cheered.
Later, as Ben wheeled him into a quieter part of the building, Geoffery asked him to stop.
‘Ben, I didn’t get the opportunity to thank you for your thoughtfulness when we met the other day.’
‘What do you mean?’ asked Ben puzzled, moving around to face him.
‘You know, the silly, hurtful, comment about cancer not being catching.’
‘Oh that’s OK. That kid’s a bit of a moron anyway.’
‘I hope you didn’t hurt him.’
‘No. I told him about my Gran, and I think he realised what a pillock he was being.’
‘Oh that’s good. I would have hated for anybody to have been hurt.’
‘More important. How do you… you know, cope with it? Ben asked sensitively.
‘Well, that’s a bit of a grown up question. Sorry, I didn’t mean to patronise,’ he said quickly, realising his indiscretion. ‘Yes I’m OK. But thanks for asking. We all have our crosses to bear Ben, don’t we?’ he added.
‘Yeah.’
‘How are things at home at the moment?’
‘OK,’ Ben said unconvincingly.
‘I mean about your Mum?’ Geoffery added.
‘Oh,. You know about her?’
‘Yes. Andy was telling me that you have a bit of a rough time at home.’
‘Yeah, well, you just get on with it, don’t you?’ he said, shrugging his shoulders.
‘I didn’t know that Andy allowed you to sleep in the hut,’ Geoffery admitted, uncomfortably.
‘Yeah. But I didn’t start that fire. As God is my witness. I swear.’
‘No, I know you didn’t,’ Geoffery said knowingly.
‘Well, the Police think I did. Somebody saw me running from the hut when it was on fire and thought I’d started it.’
‘Well, thank heavens you escaped before it burnt down. They haven’t got any evidence against you though, have they? Andy can tell them you had permission to sleep here. He’ll stick up for you.’
‘No. I don’t want him to. I asked him not to say anything. The social services will take me into care if they know. My Mum’s been warned before, about not looking after me properly.’
‘Oh.’
‘She can’t help it. She’s OK when she’s sober, off the booze like. Then she’s like a proper Mum. You know, she looks after me and stuff.’
‘Well, I expect you know that this new hut has a small bunk room?’
‘Yeah.’
‘Well, I specified it, especially for you. I just hope, that you don’t have to use it too often. But here’s a key that I got cut for you.’
Ben looked at the key that Geoffery had pulled out from his pocket, but didn’t take it.
‘I don’t know. What if this goes up in flames again?’ Ben said, looking earnestly at Geoffery.
‘I’m sure it won’t. I know you won’t abuse the privilege.’
‘I’m not sure,’ Ben said, starting to shuffle uncomfortably.
‘Don’t worry. I’ll tell Andy I’ve given it to you.’ Immediately Ben’s response changed; clearly Andy was highly respected by the boy.
‘Wow, thanks. You’re a real Gent,’ Ben said, taking the key and pocketing it.
‘ Ah! There you are,’ said Andy, suddenly appearing from around the corner. ‘It’s time to get on with the formal stuff. Wha
t’s all the secret chats about?’
‘Oh, nothing really! I’ll tell you later,’ Geoffery said, winking at Ben. ‘Come on Ben, push me to the hall.’
Andy preceded Geoffery and Ben into the main room. The room which was 25feet wide by 40feet long had been laid out with a large table in front of rows of chairs. Scouts and parents were standing around chatting as Ben positioned Geoffery’s wheelchair at the front of the hall.
‘OK, everybody. Quiet please!’ Andy said, clapping his hands and moving to the table. ‘If I could ask you all to take a seat, please.’ The hubbub slowly subsided as everybody settled in to the padded banquet chairs.
‘I hope you’ve all had the opportunity to have a look around our magnificent new Scout Hut. We’ll just have a few speeches and then go for some nibbles,’
Andy said, retrieving his notes from his back pocket.
‘Thanks for coming tonight. As you’ll see, I’m not very good at this speech stuff. But I’d like to start by saying a big thanks to Mr Geoffery Foster for providing us with this fantastic hut; which we shall name Foster Lodge in his honour. Not only has he provided it in a record time, but he has also fully equipped it with chairs, tables, cooking pots, cups saucers, cutlery; in fact, everything that we need.
You know how much we used the other hut, and the great fun we had in it. Well, this one has got even more facilities, including a fully equipped kitchen. So now we can even teach cooking.’
Immediately there was some good humored banter from girls about the boys inability to cook anything.
Holding up his hand, Andy regained control over the noisy youngsters. ‘OK folks. That will do. So without further ado, I’d like to ask Geoffery Foster to formally open the hut.’
Geoffery stood up, slowly easing himself out of his wheelchair and sat casually on the edge of the table, as Andy led the audience in a round of applause.
‘Hi. Thanks for that tremendous welcome,’ he said addressing the crowd. ‘I have already met some of you young people, and hello to everybody else. I hope to meet you all later on. I’m pleased to be here tonight for many reasons. One of which is to thank Andy for doing such a great job as your Leader, and for giving us a reason for getting all together. As you know, Andy works really hard for you young people, so let’s recognise all his hard work with a round of applause.’
The audience responded to Geoffery’s request by whooping, shouting and clapping. After a few minutes, Geoffery held his hand up and the noise slowly subsided. Andy bowed his head, embarrassed by the unexpected accolade.
‘Andy. That’s a genuine sign of affection, that we all hold for you. The other reason for being here is to formerly open the hut, the lodge, and to turn it over to you for your use and care.’
‘The hut should be really named the Andy Spider Lodge, because it was all due to his efforts that you got the replacement, and ensured it was installed so quickly. I want you young people to show all the media, by the care that you put into running this hut, that those who wear clothes with hoods on, are not all troublemakers. Will you do that for me?’
The audience responded noisily with a loud ‘Yes.’
‘In my day, the same media people tried to demonise the young people of my generation who wore leather jackets or mod gear. It’s an easy way of categorising people. But we all know that a fashion trend does not make you a YOB. It’s what you do, not how you’re dressed, that is the critical factor in how you’re perceived.’
The young people responded with a noisy support of Geoffery’s observations.
‘There will always be a small number of people who will spoil it for the rest. We see that in life generally. It is not limited to young people. Anyway, enough of my lecturing. I now declare this hut formerly opened. Please enjoy it,’ Geoffery looked directly at Ben as he said. ‘Treat it as your second home.’
Ben led the applause, as Andy helped Geoffery sit back into his wheelchair and said, ‘Thank you Geoffery, I see we’ve made a convert.’
Geoffery smiled contentedly.
Andy addressed the Scouts, ‘OK folks, if you’d like to bring the snacks out now, we’ll start the party. But remember to keep the music down. As you know, we have close neighbours to think about,’ Andy said, his words almost lost in the excited buzz.
As the evening progressed, Ben demonstrated a very accomplished break dancing routine, much to the delight of all the others, who surrounded him and gave encouraging applause.
Feeling tired from his exertions, Geoffery finally gave in to Andy’s insistence that it was time for him to return to the hospice.
‘Do you want me to drive you back, Geoffery?’ Andy asked.
‘No thanks. I can manage the short trip. Don’t bother to see me off; I can see you’ll be busy clearing away. I’m sure Ben could see me out. Incidentally, I’ve given him a key for the hut. Just in case, you know,’ Geoffery said.
‘Thanks. That will save me a job.’
Ben wheeled Geoffery out to his car to see two, tough looking, teenagers sitting on the bonnet.
‘Get your arse off that car,’ Ben shouted loudly, startling Geoffery.
The youths stared at Ben and slowly stood.
‘Yeah! And what are you going to do about it, fire starter?’ The nearest thug said threateningly.
Ben was at the others throat in an instant.
‘You’ll want to see your dentist soon,’ Ben said, holding the other’s coat tightly with both hands, almost throttling him. ‘One more word from you and you’ll need one, because your teeth will be in your stomach.’
‘Ben, don’t let them get to you,’ Geoffery said calmly. ‘Just help me in to the car and let them go. We don’t want these yobs spoiling a great evening do we?’
CHAPTER THIRTY TWO
Wednesday October 15th – Sunset count 45
The knock on Geoffery’s door was gentle; Kay, thoughtful as ever, didn’t want to wake him, if he was asleep.
From inside, Kay heard the sound of rustling papers, closely followed by a croaky instruction to enter.
‘Hello Geoffery. Is it OK for me to visit?’ she said, stepping into the room.
‘Yes of course Kay. This is a nice surprise,’ Geoffery said swivelling his legs off the bed.
‘I thought these might help to brighten up your surroundings,’ she said, proffering him a bunch of delicate red purple fuchsias; their pendulous teardrop shape in contrast to the harsh, white, sterile room.
‘Oh, they are lovely, thank you,’ he said, taking the bouquet from her and laying them on his bedside locker. ‘My, look at you though! What a change!’
‘Thanks,’ she said coyly, subconsciously touching her hair.
‘You’re starting to look like the Kay I knew,’ he said smiling.
‘I do feel much better for the trip to the hairdressers, that’s true. But guilty.’
‘Guilty! Why? Because you’ve done something for yourself for a change?’
‘Well, I’m not used to it. I feel I should be doing things for…’
‘Yourself,’ Geoffery interrupted. ’This is your time. Not his.’
‘Perhaps..’
‘Look, I know we’ve already talked this to death. But you’ve already exceeded your maternal duties. It’s now time to start letting go.’
‘I can’t. I’ve done it for so long. I feel I still owe him.’
‘You owe him, nothing. But you do owe yourself a life. Independent of him. Remember Abraham Lincoln’s words, ‘And in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It is the life in your years. Enjoy it while you can. I did, have done.’
‘That’s easier said than done.’
‘No it isn’t. It’s time for him to let go of your apron strings.’
‘He’s still my baby,’ she said softly.
‘Ah come on. He’s got to be, what, 36? He’s just using you.’
‘I don’t know.’
‘You have to stand up to him, for both of your sakes. He needs to grow up.’
&nb
sp; ‘There you go again. You come back into my life for five minutes and already you’re telling me what to do. I’ve had enough of people telling me how to live my life,’ Kay replied, her cheeks flushed with anger.
‘Whoa there. Remember, I’m on your side,’ Geoffery pleaded.
‘Anyway, you shouldn’t be worrying about Tim and I. You have you own health to worry about,’ she said, her voice trembling.
‘I’m sorry. I don’t mean to interfere. It’s just that I believe you deserve a better life, and…anyway how did the challenge go down with him?’
‘He thought you were mad!’
‘I can understand that.’
‘After he’d finished storming around the house, he eventually put his legs on and started playing with his WiiFit, but I’m not supposed to know.’
‘Well, that’s at least a start.’
‘As to getting to the top of Ben Nevis, I think that’s a step too far, If you’ll pardon the pun.’
‘Never say never! Don’t forget, I’m happy to pay for his training or joining a Health club. In fact let me give you some money, so that he can go ahead and join one.’
‘No. I couldn’t possibly take your money. I have some savings set aside. I’ll use that. If he wants to join one.’
‘I wouldn’t dream of allowing you to have to find additional expenditure to fund something that I had started off,’ he said reaching into his briefcase. ‘Here’s a cheque for five hundred pounds. Let me know what club he joins.’
‘Thank you. That’s very kind of you. I will,’ she said, putting the cheque in her purse. ‘You know, I think you’ve given us both an opportunity to change. I was thinking of joining the club with him. What do you think?’
‘At the risk of getting my head bitten off. I’d say do your own things. Let him get on with his own life – without you.’
‘But I’d be there, to make sure he continued to train.’
‘He has to do it himself; otherwise he will continue to depend on you.’
‘Yes, I suppose so,’ she agreed reluctantly.
‘There are lots of walking clubs around; he could join one of those.’