They all laughed.
Meeting over, they came away with lots of ideas for a Christmas event on their minds, then it was back to work as usual. A normal week lay ahead in the teashop. It was nice just to have time to catch up with some of her regular customers, Jim and Mavis were in a couple of times, so Ellie took the chance to chat with them. There was also a pair of young mums who came in for tea and cake every once in a while, with their babies in their prams. Ellie often said hello and had a chat with them. This time, one of the little boys became unsettled and Ellie offered to hold him for a while. She enjoyed her cuddle, taking in that gorgeous baby-lotion smell. She was soon able to settle him again, giving his mum a few minutes peace to finish her slice of coffee and walnut cake.
It was lovely to have the time once more to really enjoy the teashop, to bake without any pressure, try a few new recipes, and to get a good night’s sleep at the end of the day. She and Joe usually took a Tuesday off, generally being the quietest day at the castle. Doris and Irene managed well between them, and in high season they’d often have an extra waitress in too. In the summer months Joe and Ellie would just take the one day, and at the busiest times none at all, but as the autumn drew in, it was lovely to be able to take two days together. The chance for a proper chill-out, or to go walking in the countryside or on the wonderful, windswept golden beaches nearby, or to have a cosy pub lunch at one of the local villages. It also gave them the opportunity to go a little further afield.
‘I’d like to pop down and visit my family soon, Joe. Maybe next week? We could stay over on the Tuesday night or something? What do you think?’
‘Fine by me.’
‘I’d really like to go to the hospital to see Dan too. I spoke to Lucy in the week and she says he’s back in the RVI for a further operation. His leg’s been shattered in that many places, it’s going to be a long process. He’s not been able to go back to work, or anything yet.’
‘What a bloody shame. Must have been a horrendous accident. Yeah, we should go see him. Definitely.’
13
Rows and rows of brick terraced houses, the slow crawl and drone of traffic, a convenience store, coffee shop, people milling about the pavements; suburbia.
Ellie hardly noticed these things when she lived here five years ago, but already she felt a bit hemmed in. She was missing the wide-open spaces, the green, brown and golden hues of the countryside, and those big blue-grey Northumberland skies. Her life at the castle seemed a world away from where she had been brought up.
Heading along the Chillingham Road now, pausing for the traffic lights, then a final turn into Fifth Avenue. They parked up in a space just along from No. 5, Ellie’s family home in the Heaton area of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. They walked the five paces through the small square of front garden that dad had paved and put welcoming pots of geraniums and petunias on. It was neat and tidy, and cheery.
No need to knock. Dad was already there with her brother Jason too, both in their work-wear navy boiler suit, the sign on the van outside now proudly sporting, J Hall & Son, Plumbers. Dad scooped Ellie up in a bear hug as always, lifting her feet off the ground; even at the age of thirty-one, she didn’t escape his demonstrative affections. And that was fine with Ellie.
‘Good to see you, ‘wor lass.’ He put her back down. ‘My, you’re as light as a feather. You looking after yourself all right?’
‘Yes, of course, Dad. It’s you getting bigger, not me getting smaller.’ There seemed to be rather a lot of tummy inside that boiler suit.
‘Ah, it’s my six-pack. Well could be more like an eight-pack nowadays?’ He gave a wink.
‘Think it’s more like a buy one, get one free,’ Jason taunted. For which he received a sharp clip round the ear, despite the fact that he was now twenty-six.
‘Joe. All right, son?’ He grasped his hand in a firm shake, whilst giving him a resounding pat on the back with his other palm.
‘Yep, fine.’ Joe sounded slightly winded.
‘We were just passing on the way to another job. I said to Jay, we’d pop by on the chance you were here already. We’ll stop for a quick cuppa with you, and then get on again. We’re working at that new housing estate down past the old gas works.’
‘Oh, okay. Good.’
‘Hi, Els, Joe. You okay?’ Jason was still a man of few words.
Jason had joined his dad in learning a trade, and they now worked together in their plumbing business, which seemed to mostly go fine. He had ambitions to train up as an electrician too, widen his skills. His hair had been cut recently, short sides, long top, gelled carefully across. He seemed to be taking far more care of his appearance lately, and his aftershave was fresh and full-on to say the least. No doubt something to do with the new girlfriend, Carmel, who’d actually lasted a few months now. Ellie had met her on her last visit back, and she seemed a really nice girl; bubbly, friendly and with feet well on the ground, which would suit Jay.
‘Hello, hello. Come on in. Shift out the way lads, let them get through. I’ve just put the kettle on.’ Mum beckoned them through, and gave them both a neat-but-happy kiss on the cheek.
The five of them sat at the kitchen table, with a nice strong cup of tea in front of them, and a plate of biscuits. Somehow Mum still managed to find those Garibaldi ones that Dad loved but no one else seemed to – the ‘crushed-fly’ biscuits that Ellie and Jason used to avoid in their childhood. Luckily, there were also some custard creams put out, so Ellie helped herself to one of those. They watched as Dad dunked a crushed-fly into his tea; Ellie and Jay shared a grimace and then a wry smile. For a second or two, she felt like she’d been transported back to when she was twelve again.
‘I’ve got a nice cottage pie in the oven.’
Oh yes, it would either be cottage pie, a stew, or a roast for visitors depending on the time of year or the occasion. Ellie would probably have fainted if mum had offered her a Thai curry or some fajitas. And in fact, that predictability, that routine, was fine and kind of reassuring.
‘Thanks, Mum.’
‘Sounds lovely, Sarah.’
There was bound to be an apple crumble ready for dessert too, with lashings of tinned Devon Custard, mmm. It was great not to have to cook for once, a whole day off from the tearoom baking and prepping, though she genuinely loved it there, was wonderful. They were at that slightly jaded time in the season, at the end of the summer, when you’d been working long days with only one day off a week for months. And, with the wedding events getting busier, though that was great for the castle finances, it all took its toll on the small team of staff.
‘How’s it all going, then? How’s life at the castle?’
‘It’s great. All going well, thanks Mum.’
‘And how did that big wedding go off? I was thinking of you over the weekend. Wasn’t that the one with the stressy bride?’
Bridezilla’s reputation had gone before her.
‘Yeah, she was still a bit stressy, but it all went off fine in the end. Wouldn’t want many more like that one, mind.’
‘Sounds like you’re doing a great job, lass.’
‘She certainly is,’ Joe confirmed.
‘Bet that big castle keeps you busy too, Joe. Lot of land with it to look after, and everything. How’s that boiler system getting on, by the way? Never seen anything quite like that one. I’m usually fixing up three or four bedroomed houses. That was a different kettle of fish. Like something out of the Victorian era.’
‘Yep, well it probably is. Has its challenges. ‘
Ellie’s dad had offered to help with the various castle plumbing issues over the years. He was always fascinated by what quirks the system turned up, and the issues they faced. It wasn’t so fascinating to Ellie, who often had to put up with the hot water running out at just the wrong time, mid-shower being the classic. They had invested in a new system to cope with the refurbished guest wing, but their own quarters still left an awful lot to be desired.
‘Still playing your footie,
Jay?’ Joe asked.
‘Yeah, just in the local Saturday league. We’re second at the moment. It’s a good group. Bit of banter with the lads. I like it.’
‘I need you working this Saturday by the way son, big job at the new housing estate.’
‘Agh, Dad.’
‘Work comes first, son. You need to earn your keep.’
‘Saving up for his own house, so he is,’ Mum added.
‘Ooh, that’s news.’ He’d lived at home for years and was now twenty-six, but was always happy to be cooked and cleaned for, and looked after by mum. ‘Is Carmel anything to do with this new state of affairs?’
‘Might be.’
‘Hah, you loved up old thing you.’ Ellie gave him a friendly punch on his arm.
‘She’s a lovely girl is Carmel. It’s about time he settled down.’ Mum gave her seal of approval.
‘Be wedding bells soon, son. You’d better start saving some more. I’ve got plenty of overtime for you.’
‘Thanks.’ He was blushing.
Must be serious. Ellie thought of the other wedding that should have happened back in the summer. ‘We’re going to pop over and see Daniel in the morning.’
‘Oh yes, that lad who had that terrible motorcycle accident you were telling me about? How is he?’ Mum asked.
‘Well, not so good. But he is making a slow recovery. He’s back in the RVI hospital for a follow-up operation. Had to have his leg pinned and everything. Sounded really nasty.’
‘Bless him. Motorbikes are such dangerous things though. Glad you never got into it.’ She gave Jason a sharp look.
‘I don’t think it was Dan’s fault, to be fair. Lorry veered too far across the road on a bend, clipped him and took him right out,’ Ellie explained.
‘God, that must have been frightening,’ Jason commented.
‘Yeah.’
‘My mate Nick’s got a bike now. He’s always saying how people are right idiots on the road. They’re just not aware of other road users … off in their own little worlds. That’s what’s dangerous.’
‘Yes, but on a bike there’s no protection around you, whoever’s fault it is,’ Sarah continued. ‘It’s just you and the road if you come off, doesn’t bear thinking about … that poor boy.’ She shook her head, worried about the state of the world and the poor people in it. ‘Another biscuit anyone?’
Dad headed for a second garibaldi. Joe and Ellie declined.
‘Well, on to happier news, your cousin Lynn’s just had her new baby. A little girl, and she’s absolutely gorgeous. Seven pound nine ounces … Her first …’ she added for Joe’s benefit. ‘You must call in and see them, Ellie. I’ve knitted a cardigan. You could take it around for me.’
‘Yes, okay. Oh, how lovely.’ Ellie felt a prickle in her throat as she spoke. One day …
14
‘Go right on in.’ The young nurse smiled, as she gestured towards the side room of the ward.
The door they faced was pale turquoise; the exact shade of an egg that Ellie had found in her back garden as a child. Her dad had told her it was most likely a robin’s, dropped out of the nest. The shell was fragile, so pretty. Ellie had kept it stored in cotton wool in a warm place at the bottom of her bedroom cupboard; it never hatched. The balance of life was so delicate.
She took a slow breath, felt Joe’s gentle hand on her shoulder, as she pushed the door handle. Through the circle of safety glass she could see Daniel, propped up in bed. As she stepped into the room, the full impact of his injuries were apparent. Grazes were healing on his face even now, and one wrist was bandaged. But it was the sight of his leg laid out on the bed before him that took Ellie’s breath away, making her feel giddy for a second or two. Protruding from the skin of the lower shin right up to the knee, she could see about sixteen metal rods and bolts keeping it all together, fixed on to some kind of metal brace. It looked more like an instrument of torture than healing. It must have been drilled right into the bone. She winced just thinking about it. Brutal, but necessary. She tried to cover her shock.
‘Hi …’ she rallied. ‘Good to see you.’
‘Sorry, it’s a bit of a shock first time, I know.’ Dan looked down at his leg, then was smiling back at them. He sat propped up against white hospital pillows.
‘Okay, mate.’ Joe went to shake his hand.
Dan held up a bandaged wrist. ‘I’ll pass, if you don’t mind.’
‘Ah, sorry pal.’ Joe gave him an extremely gentle pat on the shoulder instead. ‘So how’s it going?’
‘Great.’ There was a second of silence among them, and then the tension in the room burst, as they couldn’t help but give a gentle laugh. It didn’t look that great. ‘Well,’ Dan continued, ‘In the scheme of things, it’s going okay. I’m slowly on the mend. And, I’m here to tell the tale, that’s the main thing.’
‘Yes, thank heavens.’ Ellie responded. ‘It looks nasty though. Must have been one hell of a break.’
‘Multiple breaks, unfortunately. It’s the ankle that’s most messed up … Docs said if it had happened ten years ago, they’d never have fixed it. I’d probably have lost the lower leg. So these pins and bolts are doing a good job … I’m trying to look on the bright side.’
‘Yeah, wow. Good for you, mate.’
‘Yep, it was pretty messy. One minute I’m biking along happy as Larry, then woomph, lorry’s veered across my side of the road on a sharp bend. I clipped it. Couldn’t do anything about it. Ended up sliding across the tarmac and wrapped around a tree apparently … I don’t quite remember that last bit. Felt like forever and all in a flash, right at the same time.’
‘Jeez. That must have hurt.’
‘Weird thing is, right at the time, no. Must have been the shock or something. It was only afterwards in the ambulance it all kicked in, ‘til they got some morphine in to me.’
‘Bad luck, mate.’
‘Yeah, what a bloody shame,’ Ellie added. ‘So how long are you in the hospital for this time? It’s the second op isn’t it, Lucy was saying?’
‘Yeah, just a few days, all being well. They have to tighten the rods, joy. Then I get a load of checkups and stuff, and the Ex-Fix … this thing …’ He pointed to the metal brace. ‘Comes off in around four weeks. Then there’s physio, strengthening exercises to do. They’ve warned me there’s a chance I still might not be able to walk on it. We won’t know for a while.’
‘That’s so tough, Dan. I’m sorry.’ Joe was shaking his head.
‘Well, it’s frustrating but hey, one step at a time … hopefully. And, the good news is that I’ve got some feeling back in the right leg now.’ He smiled, but he looked sad too, like it faded on his face. Ellie noted the irony in that phrase. ‘But hey, Lucy’s been great,’ Dan continued. ‘I just feel so awful letting her down about the wedding and everything. All her dreams, and all those hours she’d spent planning for our big day. You guys too, sorry about that. I feel like I’ve messed it all up for everybody.’
‘It’s not your fault, Dan. I’m sure Lucy realizes that. And we’re fine about it. Hey, no worries, honestly,’ Joe reassured.
‘She’ll just want you to look after yourself, and to get better,’ Ellie added.
‘Yeah, I know … but one day, I’ll give her the wedding she deserves. Not too long I hope. That’s what’s spurring me on, to be honest.’
‘Good for you. And let us know. Give us a ring when you’re ready, however long that is,’ Joe spoke. ‘We’ll help coordinate with everyone to get it all set up again. Once you have a date in mind, just contact us. We’d like to make it really special for you both.’
‘Second time lucky, hey.’
‘Yeah, definitely,’ Ellie said. ‘Oh, I’ve brought you some goodies. Hopefully, they’ll help cheer you up a bit.’
‘Or if not, fatten you up,’ Joe chipped in, with a wry smile.
‘Mmm, sounds promising.’
Ellie lifted a gift bag up onto the bedclothes. Daniel dug in, pulling out carefully-
wrapped bags of fudge, in three flavours – traditional, rum and raisin, and chocolate. Then, some mini salted caramel brownies and mini shortbread packs, all made by herself. There were also a couple of slices of lemon drizzle, and some grapes for good measure.
‘Hey, great stuff. That’ll supplement the bland hospital food nicely.’
‘It’ll keep you going for a while, at least,’ Joe said.
‘Cheers, Ellie. I really appreciate it, and you guys coming in.’
‘You’re very welcome. We just want to see you get back on your feet.’
‘Yep, me too …’ His voice dipped. With that he wiggled the toes on his injured foot that was sticking out the bottom of the metal brace; they moved very slowly, as though they weren’t quite keeping up with his brain.
They were stood outside in glorious sunshine, which seemed extra bright after being in the artificial light and hush of the hospital. The sounds of traffic from the nearby city streets and the sound of birds tweeting around them were vibrant, life-affirming.
‘Phew, that was harder than I thought.’ Ellie let out a slow breath.
‘It was a bit of a shock seeing that metal brace attached to his leg like that. Must have been some major damage.’ Joe grimaced.
‘I’m so glad we went to see him though.’
‘Absolutely. Me too.’
‘Hope it’s not too long a job for him, and that he gets to make a full recovery. It’ll be such a bugger if he can’t walk properly.’
‘He mentioned that he wasn’t sure when he’ll be able to get back to work either, being a dentist. On his feet all day, I suppose. That isn’t good,’ Joe added.
‘No. And his motorbike, he loved that. Do you think he’ll even want to get back on it?’
‘Who knows? It’ll certainly be hard either way. Makes you realize how fragile we all are, hey. One split second and boomph.’
‘I know. And, how lucky we are too.’ There was a mistiness in her eyes. She took Joe’s hand.
The Cosy Christmas Teashop Page 9