The Winter We Met

by Samantha Tonge

  ‘Thanks, Nik.’ Oliver rolled up his grey shirt sleeves. He had nice forearms. I’d always thought that. ‘They’re clementine martinis.’

  Nik gave a thumbs-up. ‘Chrissie can never come too early.’

  I gave him a pointed look and, out of sight, gently punched his thigh. The light in his eyes flickered. ‘Cheers,’ he said and sipped it. ‘Mmm. This certainly isn’t a let-down.’

  ‘Enough,’ I hissed at him and we both started laughing. I looked at Oliver. ‘Sorry. Nik’s just being silly. This cocktail really is delicious.’

  ‘Nothing to do with me. The clementine juice is freshly squeezed here and Misty sourced the fruit from an organic grower.’

  ‘Misty is a real person?’ said Nik, his Australian accent back to normal.

  ‘She’s been running this bar for years now – used to be an actress but never got the break she wanted. All those years of waitressing, though, to pay the bills – it paid off; taught her what she needed to know about the drinks and hospitality business. She bought this place with her wife.’

  ‘Pan would love to meet her, wouldn’t she, with her drama background?’ said Nik.

  I looked at Oliver. See. He thinks of other people and remembers details about them even though they’ve only just met.

  ‘Unusual name,’ he continued.

  Oliver swigged back a large mouthful. ‘It was popular in the 1960s apparently. Her parents chose it because they went on a cruise for their honeymoon and the sea was often foggy…’

  ‘That’s so romantic,’ I said. Mum could never remember why she’d chosen Jess – she said something once about it being the name of the handsome doctor who helped deliver me.

  ‘Jess?’ Oliver lifted up a small bowl. ‘Your favourite.’

  I still wasn’t used to the little ways Oliver showed that he cared. I took a stick of honey-roasted sweet potato and dipped it in the Punjabi orange pickle, put it in my mouth and closed my eyes. When I’d finished chewing, I opened them. Oliver was staring at me, a smile on his face.

  I passed the bowl to Nik. ‘Try this. It’s a slice of heaven.’ Thinking I should leave the two of them alone for a moment, I muttered something about powdering my nose before heading off. I actually did powder my nose and refresh my mascara. I even zhuzhed up my hair. It wasn’t like me to wear makeup and it felt good to want to make the effort. It had been a while since I’d been on a night out that I’d felt excited about.

  I came out of the toilets and started to cross the dance floor but walked straight into a man who was shouting at anyone who would listen. Accidentally, I stood on one of his feet.

  ‘Watch where you are going, you stupid bitch,’ he slurred, deep lines in his face, the reek of alcohol hitting my face. I froze, heart thumping louder than the bass beat as he staggered towards me. Like watching a film I saw Oliver appear out of nowhere, a furious look on his face. He dragged the man out of the door by his shirt collar and onto the pavement. Moments later he was back and took both my hands. He led me to a quiet corner, by the window. I couldn’t breathe.

  ‘Inhale and exhale, inhale and exhale,’ he said gently. ‘It’s okay, Jess, you’re safe. You’re a grown-up now. You’re the one in control.’

  Mouth feeling dry, I nodded. He rubbed his thumbs over my palms and it felt so reassuring. My breathing slowed.

  ‘Thanks,’ I whispered.

  ‘You did it yourself,’ he said and kissed me on the forehead before following me back to Nik who was chatting to a couple behind our table.

  He looked up and grinned. ‘Everything okay?’

  ‘Never better,’ I said took a large gulp of my cocktail.

  ‘Oliver and I were just talking about the Christmas party, before he left to sort out some trouble. I was just telling him how much the residents think of him. Alf said he wished he was generous enough to let his good friend Oliver actually win at dominoes for once, and Pan told me he looked just like Brad Pitt… which you do, of course, mate,’ he added.

  Oliver smiled but concern etched his face. Perhaps he was worried that man would come back in. I picked up the last chip. At least he and Nik were getting on.

  ‘You okay?’ said Oliver when Nik left to buy more drinks.

  ‘Yes,’ I snapped. ‘Just leave it.’

  He leant back. I put my hand on his knee.

  ‘Sorry. I… I just feel stupid that’s all. Disempowered.’

  ‘The man was a jerk. And Jess Jagger is one of the strongest women I know.’

  I gave him a hug.

  ‘Right… anyway…’ Oliver said, ‘it sounds as if you’ve thought about the Willow Court Wonderful Life bash in detail.’

  ‘Nik’s made loads of notes and come up with some brilliant ideas. I’ve rung Gran and told her to warn everyone that he’ll be taking a photograph of them all together, when we pop in tomorrow night. He reckons it’ll make our pitch for some coverage by the Amblemarsh Gazette even stronger if we’ve done a bit of the work for them.’

  I dipped my finger in the pickle and sucked it. Oliver shook his head and pulled away the plate.

  ‘You and Nik had a good chat?’ I asked

  ‘I asked him about his business, Junior Magic. I was going to Google it but—’

  Nik appeared with three cocktails that were frothy and white with a thin, shiny slice of orange rind on top of each of the glasses’ rims.

  Oliver studied it. Lifted it to its lips. ‘This is a new one on me.’

  Orange… lemon…

  ‘It’s a popular one back home called London Calling,’ said Nik. ‘I like it because it contains—’

  I raised my palm. ‘Sherry!’

  Nik opened his mouth to say yes but a new song came on. ‘Men at Work! Oliver – do you mind? I just have to dance to a song about Down Under.’ He held my hand tightly as he led me onto the dance floor and we found a bit of space. His rhythmic moves caught my eye, yet what stood out most was how he looked after me, guiding my feet around a spilt drink and my body away from other dancers’ over-enthusiastic arm movements. Oliver sat at the far side, staring, and I waved. Half-heartedly, he waved back. He must have got fed up, night in, night out, having to deal with rowdy customers.

  When Nik and I returned Oliver asked him about Sydney. And Finland. The two men chatted easily and laughed about a comedy film they’d both seen recently. Reading was also common ground, both of them being fans of detective stories, although Oliver liked edgy thrillers and Nik preferred cosy crime, like Gran. As they talked, I went through Nik’s notebook. We had a lot to discuss tomorrow night with the residents. I got up to buy another round but Nik insisted he had to leave. By the time he got back to Islington it would be morning in Australia and a good time to ring and check on the business.

  ‘And I’m visiting Hamleys tomorrow,’ he said. ‘I rang ahead. The manager sounds pretty decent. He’s agreed to meet me briefly, and share his thoughts on the new trends that might appear in his store over the next couple of years. So I’m going to need to get up early.’ He beamed at us both. ‘Great to meet you, Oliver.’

  Oliver stood up and held out his hand. ‘You too. I hope your trip proves productive.’

  I couldn’t wait for tomorrow evening now, the three of us together, with Gran and her friends, sharing our exciting plans for the party and hopefully cheering everyone up, despite the uncertainty of the next few weeks.

  ‘Thanks for a great day, Jess.’ Nik hugged me, put on his anorak and disappeared into the crowd.

  ‘One last drink for the road?’ I asked Oliver. ‘Club Tropicana’ by Wham! had just started playing. ‘How about a Pina Colada?’

  ‘No thanks. I’ve had just about as much sweetness as I can stomach, for one night…’

  Strangely, this didn’t stop him having a hot chocolate when we got home.

  11

  I nipped home to pick up Buddy after work, before heading to Willow Court. I also applied a quick squirt of perfume. I put on lip gloss as well and changed into a red blouse. I presse
d the buzzer to be let in and yawned, still catching up from being late out at Misty’s last night. Betty glared at me as I smiled. I said hello to her and one of the care workers. I signed in and, pulling off my hat, headed into the lounge. Oliver was already there, playing dominoes with Alf at one of the tables, near the window. It took a while to reach Gran. Everyone wanted to say hello to Buddy and his chin lay on many knees for a cuddle, before finally settling on hers. He’d known to avoid Glenda’s smart trousers and in any case, she’d warned me to keep clear. She was sure her sniffle was turning into a chest infection. I bent down and kissed Gran.

  ‘Gordon Bennett, your cheek is freezing.’ She tutted. ‘Let me make you a nice cuppa.’

  ‘It’s okay, Gran, I’ll—’

  ‘I’m not completely useless yet, young lady. Come over to the hatch when you’re ready.’

  I grinned at Pan. That was more like it. The gran who cleaned sick off my fake Ugg boots, the first time I ever got drunk. The woman who told me, after every romantic break-up at school, to make sure I grew up never relying on anyone else for my happiness – dogs excluded. Oliver caught my eye and pulled a face. I went over as they sorted out the dominoes to start a fresh game.

  ‘You beating him again, Alf?’

  Crow’s feet deepened as he winked. ‘I just can’t help it.’

  I blew on my hands. ‘Honestly. It’s arctic out there.’

  Alf scoffed. ‘I keep telling you, Jess, this climate change guff is all rubbish. Your red fingers prove that – this winter is as cold as any other. Anyone with half a brain can work out global warming is just one big made up conspiracy, so that leaders and worldwide organisations can exert control.’

  ‘Over what?’ I asked.

  ‘Now don’t get Alf started,’ said Oliver amiably.

  ‘Where we can fly. How often. What we do with our rubbish. Which light bulbs we use. What sort of bags we use to go shopping. Which countries we should buy our food from. I tell you – it’s got bugger all to do with our planet and more to do with politicians staying in power.’ He rolled his eyes. ‘Talk about a nanny state.’

  ‘And what do you reckon to the bush fires, back where I live,’ said Nik, cheeks as red as my fingers. I hadn’t noticed him come in. Betty was hovering behind him. He hugged me, nodded at Oliver and shook Alf’s hand.

  ‘I read about the truth behind that,’ said Alf. ‘Many reckon it was a government conspiracy to clear land so that they could expand the high-speed rail system.’

  ‘I agree, sometimes there’s a story in between the lines,’ said Nik.

  ‘Exactly,’ said Alf.

  ‘Although the death of over one billion animals… that’s quite a price to pay for faster travel.’

  ‘Well, some say… I mean…’ Alf shrugged. ‘Yep. I agree. I saw those poor koala blighters on the box. Not sure even the most hard-hearted of politicians could take action to cause that. I, well, I didn’t mean to offend, lad… I just believe in not taking things at face value.’

  ‘That’s very wise.’ Nik held out his fist for a fist bump. Alf had no idea what to do so I showed him. ‘Right,’ said Nik, ‘let me get you a fresh cuppa, Alf, whilst I get myself one.’

  Oliver’s jaw dropped and I was just as surprised that someone had actually made Alf stand back from one of his eccentric theories.

  ‘Quite something, isn’t he, our Australian guest?’ said Alf, staring after him. ‘He gets on with everyone.’

  ‘Too good to be true,’ said Oliver brightly.

  ‘He’s all the residents can talk about at the moment,’ said Alf. ‘It’s almost… not natural.’

  ‘Let’s not start a theory saying Nik is a robot. Or a vampire like… who was it you were talking about last week?’ I said.

  ‘The actor in that dark future film I liked – The Matrix.’

  ‘Yes. Keanu Reeves – because he never looks any older, right?’

  ‘It’s not just me who thinks that, you Buddhist missy.’

  I pulled a chair over and sat down. Alf and I grinned at each other. Any observer might think I was constantly giving him a hard time over his theories, or laughing at him, but the two of us knew the truth. I’d learnt a lot about Buddhism in my twenties and it really helped. I’d gone through a rough patch – it was my twenty-first. Mum had hardly visited during the teen years and slowly, as I got older, contact petered out. I’d got it into my head she would at least reach out for my big birthday. It didn’t happen and that’s when my interest in Buddhism began. Alf couldn’t get his head around the philosophy I’d discuss, like thoughts not being who you were and how important meditation was. We respected each other’s right to a different view – that didn’t mean we couldn’t tease each other about our beliefs.

  ‘How was work today?’ asked Oliver as he lined up his domino pieces. ‘Is the Christmas madness well and truly underway? I’m practically out of our organic clementines this week already and festive tunes are all anyone is playing on Misty’s jukebox. I swear, if I hear “Last Christmas” one more time…’

  ‘I feel for you. I already know every Bing Crosby song off by heart and this afternoon we sold our last Lego gingerbread house and can’t get hold of anymore.’ I should have made the initial order bigger. I occasionally wished Angela was a little more hands-on, but then she believed in throwing people in at the deep end and I rapidly learnt so much when I started working for her. I’d never forget my first day, it still made me smile. She insisted I go on the till and I ended up charging ninety-nine pounds instead of ninety-nine pence for a packet of fruit-shaped erasers.

  We turned towards the hatch. Gran was knocking a teaspoon against the side of a glass. She beckoned to me. Nik stood next to her. I headed over and she pointed to my cup on counter. I collected it.

  ‘Do you want to sit down, Gran,’ I said, ‘whilst Nik and I share our notes?’

  She nodded and went back to her chair.

  ‘Although first,’ said Nik, ‘we could listen to ideas anyone else has had, since we decided on the theme a couple of days ago?’

  Of course. Why didn’t I think of that? He had his notebook at the ready. I bit into a shortbread round. Nik was just so thoughtful. It was strange to think I’d never have met him if I hadn’t changed seats on that aeroplane. The residents went quiet and glanced at each other. Finally Nancy adjusted the cushion behind her back in her wheelchair and moved forward a little.

  ‘I’ve got my old record player – still use it,’ she said.

  ‘I know. I regularly hear Tom Jones,’ said Glenda with a grimace.

  ‘I found an old Duke Ellington’s Orchestra album,’ continued Nancy, blushing. ‘I could bring my player down here.’

  ‘Great idea,’ said Nik and wrote it down.

  Lynn put up her hand. ‘My brother plays the saxophone. I’m sure Geoff would love to come and play some Big Band solos.’

  ‘I’ve been thinking about American food,’ said Gran. ‘We could make cookies for the kids.’

  ‘And try to find some cheap red and white candy canes,’ said Nancy. ‘They’re American, right?’

  ‘I’ve mulled over an idea, too,’ said Oliver, his face brightening. ‘How about I set up a little bar? I’ve got a special recipe for eggnog that I use at Misty’s at this time of year.’

  ‘And a jolly important idea it is too,’ said Fred and he grinned as a tangible wave of enthusiasm was washing across the room.

  ‘We thought perhaps Saturday afternoon we could all watch It’s a Wonderful Life right here – I’ve got the day off,’ I said. ‘Oliver finishes his breakfast shift at two and Nik is free. The three of us need reminding of the movie as much as anyone else and I know Gran’s got a DVD of it somewhere. She forced me to watch it every Christmas, when I was younger.’ I pulled a face and everyone laughed.

  Pan clapped her hands. ‘A private screening. How exciting.’

  ‘I’ll bring some of Misty’s popular gourmet Apple Pie popcorn,’ said Oliver.

  Nik and I
explained about the ideas we’d had then he put down his notebook. Everyone had been told about the photo for the pitch to the newspaper and looked suitably smart. We moved around a few chairs and left some at the front for people who had trouble standing. Nancy was positioned there as well. Gran sat in the centre, Buddy and Lynn by her side, with a couple of the other care workers. The residents insisted Oliver and I were included too. Also at the front sat a few residents who were much further into dementia than Pan.

  ‘What’s that lady with the lovely grey curls wearing?’ asked Nik, as everyone tidied themselves. ‘I love the bright yellow colour.’

  ‘That’s Phyllis. It’s an activity apron. Lynn is always updating a range of items for those with dementia. If you look closely it’s perfect for restless hands, with the loops and zips and beaded plaits attached to it. Poor Phyllis had always been a very busy lady, she ran boarding kennels for dogs, and like Betty she finds it difficult to settle.’

  ‘What a fantastic idea,’ he said and studied her for a moment. ‘Right. Here we go.’ He bent forwards, looking through his camera. ‘Say Chattanooga Choo Choo.’

  ‘My dentures will fly out if I try that,’ protested Fred but despite this he and the others were soon singing the words.

  Nik took his shots then the residents relaxed and started chatting. I went over to him but Betty got there first.

  ‘Take me home, Jim,’ she said. ‘I’ve been waiting for you to come for me. We mustn’t leave the children alone for long.’

  Lynn walked past at that moment and stopped. She and I exchanged glances but Nik didn’t miss a beat. He curled a hand around Betty’s arm, the one that wasn’t carrying her handbag.

  ‘They’re fine,’ he said. ‘We should enjoy ourselves. Let’s go for a little stroll.’

  Her face almost broke into a smile. Around the room they walked, Betty staring at his face. They stood by the window, looking out onto the lawn. Then they went over to where Fred and Alf were sitting before Betty went off on her own. Lynn and I went over.