Page 27 of The Winter We Met
‘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 watchIt’s a Wonderful Liferight 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.
‘Betty wasn’t this ill when she first arrived,’ said Lynn apologetically but Nik waved his hand. ‘She showed me family photos once. Jim was very tall, like you. Perhaps that has triggered something.’
‘Has her husband been gone long?’ he asked.
‘Six years. He looked after her the best he could at home, but had a stroke and couldn’t manage. That’s when she came here. It worked well as they were locals and he visited as often as he could. The book shop on the corner of the high street, just before you turn left for Springhaye Forest – that used to be the video store he ran. Their children have moved away but they see her as regularly as they can. Lily travels abroad a lot, with work, and Roger has a son with special needs so it’s not straightforward – but both of them also video call her once a week. We help with that.’ Lynn smiled. ‘You know, right up until she got ill, Betty ran a blog, reviewing the latest films and videos. She first set it up just before her husband retired and over time modernised it, reviewing DVDs and television shows online. She and Jim were huge fans of the big and small screen.’ She patted Nik’s arm. ‘You visiting, the party… maybe it’s a good thing for her.’
‘This meeting has been such a tonic,’ said Fred. ‘Downright depressing it’s been, ploughing through the directory that you emailed us, Lynn, with my daughter. It’s impossible to tell from the list which homes might be most suitable.’
Alf nodded. ‘A blasted pain, it is. My son’s been ringing them one by one to find out if there’s a waiting list or if the rooms have an ensuite bathroom and what the other facilities are.’ He shrugged at Lynn. ‘Not that it’s your fault. You’ve been a real brick. We’ll just have to muddle through.’
‘Gran and I have found the same,’ I said, glad that most of the residents had family to help. It felt like a mammoth task. I really hoped we found somewhere she liked and the council agreed to fund her preferred choice.
‘That photo of yours was a great idea, Nik,’ I said when we were alone, a few minutes later. ‘It will be a fantastic way for the residents to remember all their friends.’ I sighed. ‘It’s so sad. No one should have their home broken up like this at their age.’
Nik put his arm around my shoulder. Alf and Oliver were standing apart, but both studying us. Alf’s head was tilted, his brow wrinkled. Oliver turned away as soon as I made eye contact.
12
I looked at the Peter Rabbit clock. Half past eleven. The shop phone rang and as he was by the till Seb picked it up.
‘Angela,’ he mouthed and I hurried over. Seb passed me the receiver and I moved to one side as he served a customer.
