by Judi Curtin
Boot camp instructor urgently wanted. Knowledge of health and nutrition essential Tel 75-264–882 for immediate interview
‘OMG!’ I said. ‘You genius! That’s exactly the right job for Nurse Witch. It’s totally perfect.
She’d actually get paid for being a bully. The more strict and horrible she is, the better they’ll love her. There’s no time to waste – we’ve got to make sure she applies before they give the job to someone else.’
I was already shoving the papers into an untidy pile. Ella stood up and helped me.
‘Er … how exactly are we going to get Nurse Witch to apply for this?’
‘We photocopy the ad, put it in front of her, and cross our fingers.’
‘You think that’ll work?’
‘Who knows? All we can do is try – and maybe we’d better cross our toes too – to be sure to be sure.’
Ella keyed in the code, and we walked up to the reception desk. It felt kind of weird going in to the nursing home without Lucky under my arm. Nurse Witch stared at us.
‘You two again!’ she said. ‘Haven’t you got any homes to go to?’
‘Of course we have,’ I said, smiling sweetly. ‘It’s just that we like spending lots of time with old people. Who knows how long they’ve got to live, so we think it’s important to be really, really nice to them.’
Nurse Witch sniffed. ‘Well run along and try not to annoy the residents too much,’ she said. ‘I’m busy.’
She didn’t look very busy. I leaned over the desk and saw the book she’d just put down. Finding a new career – AT ANY AGE!
I nudged Ella, and she remembered her part of the plan.
‘Oh, look,’ she said, pointing down the corridor. ‘I think I see someone breaking a rule.’
While Nurse Witch turned and looked down the empty corridor, I slipped the photocopied page on top of her book.
‘You’re imagining things again, Ella.’ I said. ‘Now let’s run up and say a quick hello to Gigi before it’s time for our hockey practice.’
When we came downstairs twenty minutes later, Nurse Witch was on the phone. Her hand was half-over the receiver, and her voice was weird – all fake and posh. She was speaking quietly, but we could still hear what she was saying – ‘I’m calling about the advertisement in the newspaper – yes, I’m highly qualified – twenty years of nursing experience – an interview tomorrow at six? – Yes that sounds perfect.’
‘Time for us to get out of here,’ I said.
‘Absolutely,’ said Ella. ‘We so don’t want to be here when Nurse Witch starts to ask awkward questions about the sudden appearance of that ad on her desk.’
So we skipped and laughed our way out of the nursing home like the bold kids Nurse Witch always thought we were.
Chapter Twenty-four
By the next Friday night, life in the nursing home was starting to change in a big way.
Gigi was cuddling Lucky when she told us the good news.
‘Nurse Witch is leaving,’ she said. ‘She’s got another job and she’ll be gone by the end of next week.’
‘That’s totally amazing,’ said Ella.
‘What happened?’ I asked, trying not to smile.
(Ella and I already had a fairly good idea of what had happened.)
‘It’s all very mysterious,’ said Gigi. ‘I overheard Nurse Witch chatting to one of the care workers. She said that she found a piece of paper on her desk, and it had a job ad on it – an ad for an instructor at one of those boot camp places. I can’t figure it out at all. How did that paper magically appear – with the ad all circled in bright red pen?’
I tried to look innocent. ‘Who knows?’ I said.
Gigi looked at Ella and me with a big twinkle in her eye. ‘There’s something you’re not telling me, isn’t there?’
‘We might have got a small bit involved,’ said Ella. ‘And luckily it seems to have worked.’
And then I had a horrible thought. ‘Maybe we didn’t think this through properly,’ I said. ‘Who’s going to replace Nurse Witch? And how can you be sure that the new matron won’t be as bad as her, or maybe even worse?’
‘No one could be as bad as Nurse Witch,’ said Ella.
‘You don’t need to worry,’ said Paddy wheeling himself over to join the conversation. ‘The residents committee is going to be a big part of the selection process. Gigi and I are going to be on the interview panel, and I’ve already got my questions ready.’
‘I like a man who’s prepared for anything,’ said Gigi, giggling like a little girl.
‘OMG, Gigi!’ said Ella looking horrified. ‘Are you flirting?’
‘Absolutely not,’ said Gigi firmly, but when she turned away, I noticed that her cheeks had turned a pretty shade of pink.
Gigi was falling in love – how totally cute was that?
Two weeks later, Ella and I walked up to the door of the nursing home.
‘Come on,’ I said to Lucky who was running along beside us. ‘Time for your cuddling session.’
We let ourselves in and went up to the reception desk. Everything was different – and nicer. On the desk, there was a big bowl of jelly-beans. On the wall, where Nurse Witch’s list of rules used to hang, there was a photograph of an old lady sky-diving. From the lounge, there came the sound of laughing and singing.
‘Hello, Nurse Wilson,’ said Ella, and the smiley lady shook her finger at us.
‘Please call me Sylvie,’ she said. ‘Nurse Wilson makes me sound so old and starchy. Ella, I know you already, but who is your young friend?’
‘My name’s Eva,’ I said.
‘It’s very nice to meet you, Eva,’ said Sylvie as she came around to our side of the reception desk. ‘And who is this darling, darling dog?’ As she spoke, she bent down and picked Lucky up, and cuddled and kissed her.
‘You’re so sweet, I could eat you up with a spoon,’ she said.
‘Yip!’ said Lucky, almost like she understood.
As Ella and I walked towards the stairs, I sniffed the air. ‘What’s that smell?’ I said. ‘It’s almost like …’
‘Nail varnish,’ said Ella. ‘Sylvie has arranged for a nail artist to visit every two weeks.’
She pushed open the door to the downstairs lounge, and I could see a line of old people examining nail varnish samples, and holding out shaky old hands, all ready to be beautified.
‘OMG!’ I said to Ella as we went upstairs. ‘I thought you were exaggerating, but you totally weren’t. Sylvie is like an angel from a fairy-tale. Gigi and her friends must be so happy.’
‘They are,’ said Ella. ‘They love Sylvie. Everything’s perfect – except for one small thing.’
‘What’s that?’
‘Gigi and her friends are all excited because I said we were bringing Lucky to see them today. They’ve already drawn up a rota, deciding who will cuddle her, and for how long.’
‘That’s sweet,’ I said. ‘But I’m not seeing the problem here.’
‘A few minutes once a week doesn’t seem like enough time for the old people to spend with pets. I wish you and I had more time. I wish we could bring Lucky to visit every single day.’
I smiled and pulled a leaflet from my pocket. ‘And that’s why I’ve brought something to show them.’
Gigi used the fancy new machine to make us hot chocolate, and then she went to the jar to get a handful of squishy marshmallows to put on top.
Ella sighed as she took the cup from her granny. ‘I think I want to live here,’ she said. ‘Are teenagers allowed?’
‘Now that Sylvie’s here, who knows?’ said Gigi. ‘Anything could happen.’
‘Anyway, girls, what news have you brought us from the outside world?’
I handed her the leaflet.
‘My mum picked this up at the market the other day,’ I said. ‘And she immediately thought of you.’
Gigi took the leaflet and looked at it for a long time. Then she handed it to Paddy who read it and passed it on to Han
nah.
‘Someone rolled over my reading glasses in his wheelchair,’ said Peggy, glaring at Paddy. ‘So I can’t see the leaflet properly. What’s it about?’
I sat beside her and explained. ‘It’s about a group called “Pets for Good”’ I said. ‘It’s run by volunteers who bring their pets to visit people in hospitals and nursing homes.’
‘What do we want that for?’ asked Peggy. ‘We’ve got you and Lucky.’
‘I’m glad you see it like that,’ I said. ‘But Ella and I have busy lives. We’ve got school and sport and hanging out to do. But these people could come every morning, and stay for an hour or two.’
‘Would you and Ella still bring Lucky to see us?’ asked Peggy.
‘Of course we would,’ I said. ‘We’ll still come any chance we get – but you’ll love these pets too. They’re specially chosen because they’re really gentle and loving. And all you’ve got to do is persuade Sylvie that it’s a good idea.’
‘We’re on it,’ said Gigi jumping up and taking the leaflet from my hand. ‘Come on, Paddy. This is a job for the residents association.’
‘OMG!’ said Ella, as soon as Gigi and Paddy had left. ‘Did you see the way those two looked at each other? I think they might actually be dating, and I can’t make up my mind if it’s totally gross or totally sweet.’
‘It’s totally sweet,’ I said. ‘Your granny’s got a boyfriend, Ella. Get over it.’
Chapter Twenty-five
It was Saturday, two weeks later.
‘OMG, Eva,’ said Ella. ‘Where on earth did you get that dirty old jacket? You look a total mess.’
‘Thanks a lot,’ I said, pretending to be hurt. ‘But we’re supposed to be working. And anyway – you don’t look so great yourself.’
She did a twirl so I could get a good view of her ancient old tracksuit and her flowery wellies.
‘Enough with the fashion show,’ I said laughing. ‘We need to go. Everyone will be waiting.’
When we got to Maggie’s place, Aretta and her dad were already there, along with a tall, skinny teenager who looked really like Aretta.
‘Eva, Ella, at last you’re here,’ said Aretta, when she saw us. ‘You’ve got to meet my brother, Damola. He’s come to help us.’
Damola smiled at us and Aretta’s dad put his arms around the two of them. ‘My children are back together again,’ he said.
‘Are you moving here?’ I asked Damola.
‘Yes,’ said Aretta firmly. ‘His girlfriend’s family are moving here next week, and Damola’s coming too, aren’t you?’
He shrugged. ‘I quite like Dublin, but it doesn’t look like I’m getting a choice, does it?’
‘No,’ said Aretta. ‘It’s sorted.’
‘What happened here?’ asked Ella as we went around to the back of the house. ‘It looks like a bomb landed and wiped everything out.’
‘Dad and some of his friends have been coming here every evening after work,’ I said. ‘They’ve cleared everything and taken away all the old junk.’
‘They have prepared a blank canvas for me,’ said Aretta’s dad, spreading his plan out on the patio. ‘And I can’t wait to get started on the new garden. I am so very excited about—’
Before he could finish, we heard the sound of Dad’s rattly old van pulling up at the gate. We ran back outside and saw Dad’s friend, Derek, jumping out of the van.
‘Come on, you slackers,’ he said. ‘We’ve got work to do. Help me to unload this stuff.’
Dad had to do five trips to bring all the materials we needed. When we’d unloaded the fifth vanload, we took a break.
‘Remind me again where all this stuff came from,’ said Maggie as she handed out big glasses of lemonade.
‘People are very generous,’ said Dad. ‘Sometimes all you have to do is ask. The scaffolding company donated all their old boards for the raised beds. The builders’ provider supplied the cement and the nuts and bolts and things, and a contractor I know is delivering a load of topsoil this afternoon.’
‘I don’t see any plants,’ said Ella. ‘No offence, but all this stuff we’ve unloaded looks a bit grey.’
‘Mum’s bringing the plants later,’ I said. ‘Everyone in her garden club has donated something, so there’s going to be heaps. When we’re finished, Maggie’s garden is going to be a jungle again – but in a good way.’
‘Yip,’ said Lucky, and everyone laughed.
Mum woke me early on Sunday morning. ‘Time to get up, Eva,’ she said. ‘We’ve got work to do.’
I groaned. ‘Can’t I take a day off?’
My back was still sore from the day before, and I had blisters all over my hands from digging.
‘It’ll be worth the hard work when Maggie is able to use her garden again,’ she said. ‘And it’s just a few more hours – Dad thinks we’ll be finished by lunchtime.’
‘OK, I get it,’ I said. ‘I’m up.’
I dragged myself out of bed and pulled on my dirty old working clothes.
Gardening, I said to myself. I must put that on the list of jobs I don’t want to do when I grow up.
It was a lovely sunny morning. There was no sign of Ella, but Dad set Aretta and me to work, painting the new gazebo he’d made out of the old shed. It was nice sitting there in the sunshine with my friend, watching as the faded grey wood disappeared under a coat of cool blue paint.
‘Your dad looks so happy,’ I said. ‘It must be amazing to see his design coming to life.’
‘He is happy,’ said Aretta. ‘He hasn’t been this happy since we left Nigeria. And we got good news last night. My mother Skyped, and she thinks she has found a really nice sheltered home for her parents to live. It is just being built, but it will be ready next year. When my grandparents have settled in, my mother will be able to come here to live with us.’
‘That’s brilliant,’ I said. ‘I’m glad things are working out so well for you. I just hope …’
‘What?’ asked Aretta.
‘Well, I know your dad is totally happy now, but what’s he going to do when Maggie’s garden is finished? Is he going to go back to sitting in his room being sad and waiting for you to come home from school? I so hope that doesn’t happen. You’ve got basketball to play, and Ella and I have got used to hanging around with you in the afternoons. And how will I ever manage maths without your help?’
Aretta smiled. ‘You don’t have to worry. I am going to have plenty of time for basketball and maths and hanging out and anything else I want to do.’
‘Good to hear it,’ I said. ‘But how come?’
‘The manager of the centre saw my father’s plans for Maggie’s garden, and he was really impressed. He asked my father to design a community garden for the waste space behind the centre. Dad’s already got heaps of ideas. It’s going to be really cool, with swings for the kids, and vegetable gardens and flowers and everything.’
‘And who’s going to build it?’ I asked.
‘That’s the great thing,’ said Aretta. ‘The manager said he will provide the materials, if my father and the other residents will do the work. Everyone’s really enthusiastic, and there’s a great atmosphere in the centre these days.’
Just then Ella showed up. ‘You’re late,’ I said. ‘What time do you think …?’
But I stopped talking when I saw her face.
‘Hey,’ I said, dropping my paintbrush and rushing over to her. ‘What’s wrong?’
‘I went to see Gigi this morning,’ she said. ‘And she had very sad news. Hannah died during the night.’
I felt tears come to my eyes as I remembered the sweet old lady who was always knitting.
I remembered how bravely she had stood up to Nurse Witch.
It was cold the last time I’d seen her, and she’d rubbed my icy fingers and promised to knit me a pair of warm gloves.
‘That’s so sad,’ I said. ‘Poor Hannah.’
‘Her son was there this morning,’ said Ella. ‘And Gigi introduced us. He as
ked me if I was one of the girls with the dog, and when I told him I was, he gave me a huge hug. “Mam told me all about you and your friend,” he said. ‘On my last visit, all she talked about was how much she enjoyed your Friday night visits. You made Mam’s last days on earth so happy, and we will always be grateful for that.’
‘That’s so sweet,’ I said.
‘And it gets better,’ said Ella. ‘Hannah’s son said she had left some money to the nursing home and Sylvie want to use it to make a garden where the residents can sit on sunny days.’
‘Cool,’ I said.
I had a weird feeling of being sad and happy, all mixed up together. I hated the idea of never seeing Hannah again, but it was nice to know how much she’d enjoyed our visits with Lucky. It was nice to know that, because of Hannah, the nursing home residents would get a lovely garden to hang out in.
‘And there’s more good news,’ said Ella. ‘Sylvie has given the OK to the Pets for Good scheme, and they’re going to start visiting next week. One man is going to bring his pet alpaca.’
‘OMG,’ I said. ‘That’s the best and craziest thing I’ve ever heard.’
‘There’s still more,’ said Ella.
I grinned. ‘I’m not sure if I can stand the excitement.’
‘Sylvie says that as soon as the garden is ready, she’d like to get a dog to live at the nursing home. We’re hoping that dog might be Pedro.’
‘This is like a fairy-tale.’ I said, ‘Everything’s working out so well.’
Aretta came over and we told her all the news.
‘I think my father would like to help with the garden design for the nursing home,’ she said. ‘He would know all the things to do to make it suitable for old people.’
‘Are you sure?’ I said. ‘I know he’s great and all that, but is it fair to ask him to do all that work when he can’t even get paid for it?’
Aretta’s dad came over and heard what I said. ‘Being paid would be good,’ he said. ‘I would like to buy nice things for my children – but that is not possible right now, so, for the moment, I am happy to help with worthy projects.’