by Bella Donnis
No man – Husband or father. How could that be? Ben sipped his coffee and watched as the pair ate breakfast by the window which overlooked the car park – Hardly a great view. She flicked her hair back every time before taking a sip of her orange juice, whilst the boy kept his head down and concentrated on his platter.
Ben looked down to the box at his side, breathed, lifted it from the floor and walked in their direction. Tobias turned his head first, when Ben was only a few metres away, followed by his mother who took her cue from him. She leaned back, half turning her body toward Ben, her eyes catching his for a second, before being drawn to the box.
“Good morning,” Ben said, “I don’t wish to intrude.”
“You’re not intruding,” the woman said. Her teeth were perfect – Straight and white.
Ben breathed and consciously controlled his voice, speaking slowly, keeping it deep and masculine. “I have a present for you.” He said, turning to Tobias. The box was too big to hand him, so he placed it on the table to his side. “Open it.”
He looked to his mother with raised eyebrows. She said something back in what Ben assumed to be Danish, but in reality it could have been any Scandinavian language. “What is it?” She asked, narrowing an eye, but raising a smile – Shit! Ben was in deep shit.
Ben gestured with his hands to the box. “Open it and find out.”
The boy leaned forward, placed his hands on the lid and tried to lift it off. It was a tight fit, so his mother held down the base with both hands. The satisfying sound of friction filled the small space as the lid slowly parted from the box within it and then the whoosh of air as it came away.
Tobias inhaled when he saw the below the knee prosthetic and then his expression changed to one of sheer joy. It was a rare feeling, Ben thought, making a child smile like that and it took a few seconds before he realised his mother was wiping at her eyes.
Ben motioned for Tobias to unfasten the pins on his jogging bottoms and roll the hem up his leg. Ben took the limb and flexed the foot. “This is the only design you’ll see with split toes…For extra balance and shock absorption.”
The boy couldn’t understand his words, but seemed to understand the improvement in quality of life the limb would offer – The foot looked as human as any other. Tobias leant forward, hands either side of his face as he watched Ben’s demonstration.
Ben ran his hand along the titanium where it came to stop on the latex clasp at the origin end. “This is the only system in the world that offers air cushioning at the stump. So there’ll be no more soreness or itching where your knee connects to the cup.” Ben held the small hand pump and showed where it connected into the latex.
“How can I ever repay you for this?” The mother said, delving into her bag.
Ben held up a hand. “Just make sure Tobias lives his life to the full…That’s all I ask.”
Ben spent around half an hour teaching Tobias and his mother how to attach and maintain the limb. He watched the boy walking with it and Ben calibrated the length and foot angle accordingly. “You’ll still need to see your specialist every six months of course…He’s a growing boy.” He said to the mother whose voice had since become a faint croak.
“Thank you.” Tobias said in English.
“You’re welcome.” Ben ruffled his hair then turned to the mother. “Well, good luck. I’ll say goodbye then.” He stepped in the direction of the exit.
“Wait!” She almost shouted. “You can’t just go.”
Ben turned back and jerked his head in the direction of the car park. “I have a long day of sightseeing ahead of me. I hear the city is beautiful.” But it’d be nothing in comparison to this woman.
She was the type of woman who struck fear into the hearts of men, the very vision of the old Norse Goddesses. “Well we can join you. We’re also here to visit the city.” She said, taking a step forward.
He nodded, “I’m Ben,” then held out his hand.
She moved another step closer, reached out and took his hand, her warm flesh melting into his. “I’m Freja…You already know my son Tobias.”
Ben beamed at them. Obviously she wasn’t a lesbian – A good start.
“Let’s go.”
Chapter Twenty-One
Happy Birthday
Erin watched and monitored Glen Prudhoe’s gait, taking the occasional glance at his weight distribution on the monitor as he pounded away on the treadmill. His prosthetic took an equal share of the load, which wasn’t common during treadmill running so soon after receiving a below the knee replacement.
“Ok, I think we’re done.” Erin said, making a note on her clipboard.
Glen held down the button to decrease the speed and brought the tread to a steady walking pace. “We’re done with the running?” He asked, taking a sip of water. “It’s only been ten minutes.”
Erin glanced at the monitor. “We’re done forever. You just need to see your prosthetic specialist every six months, but as for the physio side, you’re fixed.”
He jumped from the machine and embraced Erin in a hug. “Thank you so much doctor.”
“That’s quite all right, it’s my job.” Her words came out in a single restricted breath. He released her and Erin pottered over in the direction of the spare desk, looking for a spot to dump her clipboard. When she couldn’t find space, she instead propped it up on a nearby shelf. “If only I didn’t have to see so many of your fellow army buddies. Only this week, I had two new clients with no legs below the knees.”
“And all for nothing.” Glen said, “Tally’ll only retake the shit hole when we’re gone. And all to protect the government’s heroin stash.”
“What?” Erin had a sudden flashback to that beauty spot just west of Napoli almost a year ago; the birds, the heat, sitting on a bench with a stunning view and a beautiful woman – Gianna.
Glen waved a hand in dismissal, “ah never mind me…It’s best you don’t get me started on the subject.”
When Glen left, Erin surveyed the heaps of boxes, records, equipment and consumables that had built up on the spare desk. Even the chair had become the spot Erin kept the medicine ball. “Not professional, Erin.” She removed the clutter and placed it in the storeroom.
After she’d given the spare desk a dusting, she sat down at her own desk and relaxed back in the seat. She picked up the photo of her and Gianna in the boat and smiled at the memory. “It’s probably time to start looking.” She didn’t want to be single forever. “I’ll be thirty tomorrow.” There was nothing like turning thirty to give a single girl a kick up the bum.
The phone rang, Erin checked the caller ID and smiled. “Hi Scruffy.”
“Hi, just checking we’re still on for tomorrow?”
“Of course. It’s not like I have a hot girl to spend the day with or anything.”
“Hey, don’t beat yourself up and enough of that defeatist attitude crap. We’ll help you get laid for your thirtieth, ok.”
Erin shook her head, “I’d settle for having some fun with a few friends.”
“Aye, and that’s what we’re doing. But should a hot girl happen to take your fancy then I want you on top form. So dress your best.”
Erin had already been shopping for a new dress with Holly, Scruffy’s new girlfriend, after they all but dragged her out the other day. “I wouldn’t dare do otherwise.”
“Good. I’m sending Holly round to yours at six and then we’ll head to the restaurant.” Sounds like he had it all planned out.
“I really appreciate what you’re doing, but this isn’t going to be some sort of a massive thing is it?”
“Of course not.” He sounded hurt. “And I’ll be on my best behaviour...No shaking anybody’s hand…In fact, no party tricks of any kind.”
“Somehow I don’t believe you.”
Erin spent the majority of her birthday with her parents who’d made the trip south. Together they spent time at King’s College and the adjoined chapel with the world’s largest fan vault, had lunch
at Trinity College and finally took a long walk along the Cam where her father took a keen interest in the birds, or lack of.
He scanned across the river with a pair of binoculars. “Where the bloody hell are all the Kingfishers?”
“I told you dad, I haven’t seen any for a long time.”
“What? The bloody things are supposed to be native to this bloody river.” He lowered the binoculars and checked around him as though expecting to see one by his feet. “Where are they, Erin?”
“I’m sorry dad, but they’re gone now.” It was a great pity; they truly were beautiful, majestic birds.
After the river walk, her parents departed for Alnwick and Erin headed home to get ready for the evening.
At six, the striking figure of Holly, with her athletic figure and long brown hair approached from along the driveway. Erin opened the door and gestured to the large holdall in her hand.
“Well, we’re getting started now.” Holly said, pulling out a bottle of champagne. “I’ll bung it in the freezer for ten minutes, but after that, we’re popping it.”
Erin clasped her hands in front of her neck. She’d been nervous about the evening and about the stupid milestone she’d reached, but for the first time she actually felt excited. She’d be spending a few hours with some lovely friends. She was so happy Scruffy had found Holly. “How did you two meet again?” Erin asked after Holly popped the cork.
Holly rolled her eyes and placed a hand on the kitchen counter, as if gesturing she needed support from recollecting the memory. “He caused a bit of a scene shaking hands with the Minister for Energy and Climate Change. Don’t you remember seeing it on the news?”
Erin laughed. “I do remember hearing something about it, but I didn’t believe it.” She took a sip from her glass.
“When he did that, I thought to myself, ‘I just have to have him,’ and we started dating pretty much immediately.” She stared into blankness as she spoke. “I guess I was just in the right place at the right time.”
“But then you did something about it.”
“Yes, I guess I did. Oops, we forgot…” Holly held her glass up to Erin. “Happy birthday.”
Erin clinked the glass. “And thanks for not mentioning my age.”
Holly placed her glass on the counter. “Don’t start. You look fantastic for thirty…And we don’t even have you in your new dress yet.”
Indeed, Erin was still clad in the sports gear she’d met her parents in. “I suppose I should get changed then.”
“And I’m doing your make up.” Holly asserted as she followed Erin to the bedroom.
“Really?” Erin turned her head as she walked. “What kind of a restaurant is this again?”
“Oh, just a regular restaurant. Scruffy says you like Italian, so that’s what you’re having.” Holly grabbed the beautiful long white dress from the wardrobe and inspected it, for God only knew what.
“Scruffy said that? I haven’t had Italian in a long time.” Not since actually being in Italy.
Holly watched intently as Erin slipped the dress on, staring at the floor. “The mirror is in front, you know.”
“I know.” Erin brought her eyes up and gave a small smile, more for Holly’s benefit.
Holly gasped, “you look absolutely amazing. I hope you know that.” She smoothed out the dress at the bottom and stepped back. “Wow.”
The dress was an all-white halter, tight to every inch and curve of Erin’s body; her slender arms and shoulders were on display, placing an emphasis on her collar bones. The dress covered all her legs, giving an overall impression of elegance and sophistication, while it would also no doubt turn heads.
For the next hour, they drank champagne and giggled whilst Holly took care of Erin’s hair and makeup. Then the taxi honked from the street and they headed out the door.
“We’re meeting at a pub first.” Holly said, “I assume you’ve heard of The Baron of Beef?”
Erin jerked her head toward Holly. “Um, yeah, I’ve heard of it…A few, um, interesting memories of that place.” Eleven years and counting since her last visit. Was this really such a great idea? “And it was Scruffy’s idea to meet there, you say?” Which was the difficult thing to believe.
“Yep.” Holly said, staring straight ahead.
Erin had assumed Scruffy had the same phobia of that place as herself, but one could never be quite sure where he was concerned.
When they arrived, Scruffy was sitting alone at a large table directly below where Erin remembered the infamous beer on a pole incident had taken place.
“This is very brave of you.” Erin said to him. The pub was quiet for a Saturday night, the few existing patrons turning their heads to glance at Erin in her dress – She didn’t mind, although she did feel overdressed compared to everybody else.
“Aye, I figured it’d be good healing…For both of us.” He stood and embraced Erin. “You look fantastic.” He turned to Holly and kissed her. “You did a bloody fantastic job on her.”
“She makes easy work.” She stared Erin up and down with admiration.
Scruffy brought the drinks over and then spent the next half an hour regaling memories from The Baron of Beef. Holly seemed enchanted by the guy. With a bit of luck, this could be the real thing for them.
Though there was one thing that’d confused Erin thus far. “Where’s everybody else? Shouldn’t they be with us?”
Scruffy checked his watch. “Aye, we should probably get a move on and meet them.”
“What? We’re leaving?” Erin asked looking to them both for answers.
Holly stood and took Erin’s hand. “Just leave it to him.”
They left the pub and the three of them clambered into a waiting taxi which started moving without any commands. “How does he know where we’re going?” Erin scratched the back of her neck.
“It’s probably one of those new magic taxis they’ve been working on.” Scruffy said from the front seat.
“Oh shut up!” Erin said wanting to punch him – She hated surprises.
Holly slid closer on the back seat, almost unable to contain the wide grin.
Erin looked outside as the taxi drove slowly past Downing College, a route that wasn’t necessary to go to… “hey, where are we going anyway?”
“Didn’t she tell you?” Scruffy asked.
“She said we were going for an Italian.” Erin leaned forward.
“Aye, you are.”
La Mimosa, which would have been Erin’s preferred choice, was in the other bloody direction. Perhaps they were going to La Margherita instead.
Then the taxi slowed to a stop by the river.
Erin looked outside the window, to the punts lined up along the bank. “This isn’t what I think it is, is it?” Then she recollected how Scruffy used to operate one of those things as a tour guide, making a nice little sum during the summer months.
Scruffy exited the car and pulled open Erin’s door. “What thirtieth would be complete without a nice paddle down the river?”
Probably most of them, Erin thought. Then it hit her, “I see what you’re doing…” Erin stepped out from the taxi as Holly patted out the creases from her dress, then continued to ensure her red hair flowed freely down her shoulders, for whatever reason, Erin couldn’t fathom.
Scruffy looked up, a touch of fear flashing across his face for the briefest of moments. “You do?”
Erin, smiled and straightened in defiance, hands on hips. “Of course. This is some kind of trip down memory lane theme for my birthday isn’t it? And I assume you’re about to punt me down river whilst refusing to look up and acknowledge me like the last time you did this, right?” Well, she’d go along with it out of politeness. After all, he’d put a lot of work into it and she didn’t want to seem ungrateful, which she wasn’t in any way.
Scruffy dropped his head in defeat and held up his hands. “There’s no fooling you is there, Erin.” He jerked his head toward the nearest punt. “Now get in!”
Before Erin had chance to answer, Holly was taking her hand and pulling her toward the rickety old boat, an almost demonic like grin permanently plastered upon her face.
Scruffy grunted as he pushed off the bank with the oar and then the punt was slinking its way down the Cam, ducks spreading apart from its advance.
Holly sat opposite Erin, several times picking from her dress bits of fluff and fairies from dandelions that drifted through the air.
“You really want me looking my best don’t you?” What was going on?
“Just looking after you.”
Scruffy stood on the bow as he continued pushing the oar against the river bed and propelling the punt forward. The Bridge of Sighs was now visible, the usual clusters of tourists admiring the architecture.
“Really, Scruffy, what is going on?” Erin stuck her thumb nail in her mouth and bit down before Holly pulled it away.
“You’ll ruin your nails.” Holly said – Really, what did it matter? “Just enjoy, but don’t sit back.” She reached over and pushed her hand against Erin’s shoulder blade. “No creases.”
Erin rolled her eyes and clasped her hands together on her thighs. What were they scheming?
They drifted under the bridge and instead of stepping off the punt at one of the usual tourist stops, they continued down the Cam in the direction of King’s and Clare Colleges and the Back Lawn.
“It’s very pretty isn’t it.” Erin said to Holly, more as a statement than a question as she gazed at the beautiful setting down river. The perfect weather and last few hours of summer sun all combining to make an idyllic scene.
Holly didn’t answer, or even seem capable of replying with that permanently plastered smile which rendered her mute.
“Ok.” Erin said. “How you doing up there Scruff? You getting tired yet?”