Page 34 of The Winter We Met
Nik, Oliver and I had turned all the chairs to face the hatch and set the television up on its shelf. Sleet started to fall outside, just as the opening credits rolled. We’d dimmed the lights. Even Glenda stopped moaning about her indigestion. It didn’t seem right watching it without Gran. I dropped into the hospital to see her at lunchtime and the doctor didn’t want to release her yet, not until her blood pressure evened out and her back was less painful. Gran insisted we watch the film without her; told me not to visit, that she just wanted to rest. She’d seenIt’s a Wonderful Lifea million times before so wouldn’t be missing out and as for the party… Gran just didn’t sound bothered.
Oliver had brought a range of gourmet popcorn from Misty’s, the promised apple pie flavour, along with a new one supposed to taste of mince pies and a savoury option that tasted just like a Christmas turkey dinner – Buddy did his valiant best to try to snaffle a portion. Nik had brought a bottle of sherry. We’d hurriedly come in, shutting the reception door behind us, wanting to shield the residents from the fact that despite Lynn’s indignant call to head office, the pretty wooden benches from out the front had already been taken.
‘What was everyone’s favourite scene?’ asked Pan. ‘I love the one where George and Mary are children and she whispers into his deaf ear that she’ll love him until she dies.’
‘For me it’s when the dance floor opens up into a swimming pool and George and Mary carry on doing the Charleston in the water and then everyone else jumps in,’ said Alf. ‘It reminds me of a dance I went to, back in the Forties. I snuck out in Dad’s smart shoes that were a size too big for me. I came out of them whilst me and my Maisie were doing the Jitterbug.’ His eyes shone. ‘But I carried on. She’d thought that was the funniest thing and always said that was the moment she decided I’d be the man she’d marry.’ He got lost in thought for a moment. ‘As the cancer finally started to take her, I’d hum our favourite old tunes. I hope she found that comforting.’
A collective pause was taken by everyone as they shot him sympathetic glances.
‘I love when George is with his daughter Zuzu and she’s won a flower,’ said Nancy, stroking Buddy’s head. ‘When the dead petals fall off and he pretends to make the flower as good as new.’
‘It’s the ending for me,’ said Glenda crisply. ‘Everyone singing “Auld Lang Syne” and the community rallying around to help George with his money problems. I do like a film where all the ends are tied up neatly.’
‘And the bell rings to let us know that the angel Clarence has got his wings,’ said Pan.
‘Just to let you know, Nik’s been brilliant and the photo he took on Tuesday has been accepted by theAmblemarsh Gazette, along with a few words,’ I said. ‘They’ll be running the piece about Willow Court this coming Friday the 20th.’
‘Good work,’ said Fred, his usual unlit cigarette hanging from his mouth.
‘Before her fall Gran talked about making dough decorations painted white. She’d make them when working as a nursery assistant.’ When I got old enough to get myself to school she took on an early morning cleaning job as well, plus she stuffed envelopes at home and delivered leaflets. I got my newspaper round as soon as I was old enough.
‘Flour, salt and warm water is all you need,’ I continued. ‘Then you knead the dough and roll it out ready for cutting. We could poke a straw through the top of each shape and then they go in the oven for one hour. These could provide themed tree decorations – angels and bells sprayed different glittery colours would suit.’
‘Not that angels actually exist,’ said Glenda with a sideways glance at Pan. ‘I always found the film preposterous from that point of view.’
‘Who knows?’ piped up Alf. ‘What with the American government hiding aliens in Area 51 there could be a secret angel bunker in Whitehall. Lots of people believe a falling white feather is from their guardian angel.’
Fred shook his head. ‘Aliens and angels, for real? What a load of bunkum.’
‘We could spray pine cones white as well,’ said Lynn hastily. She’d just walked into the room. ‘I always think ofIt’s a Wonderful Lifeas the snowiest film I know. I could take a group of you walking into Springhaye Forest. We could collect twigs and holly and spray those as well, to build on the idea of a wintry scene.’
Everyone talked amongst themselves about ideas for the American-themed buffet and the music that could be played. Nik went to pick up popcorn that had been dropped but Oliver rushed to beat him to it. Then Nik and I mingled whereas Alf and Oliver went to a table by the back window and chatted together in low voices.
‘Just one idea I had, before I have to go,’ said Nik, moving to the hatch again.
‘Won’t you be joining us for tea?’ asked Glenda who looked at Lynn.
‘You’re more than welcome,’ said Lynn.
‘No. I have a date,’ he said.
Whilst everyone made teasing noises my heart lurched.
‘With my bed,’ he said. ‘A neighbour took me on a pub crawl last night. I agreed to spurn my sherry for once and try various different types of English beer. I think the last pint of Guinness was drunk around three o’clock this morning…’
‘That’s more like it, lad,’ said Alf.
Nik yawned. ‘Chatting now about memories of family and mates… watching the film in black and white… it’s got me thinking – I thought guests might enjoy seeing a collection of your old photos. I’m sure all of you have got old shots passed down to you from parents. Photos from the Forties and Fifties would be brilliant, showing people you loved, shots of family life and yourselves when younger. We could make a collage using Blu Tack, or simply spread them out on a table. It would really bring to life the era of the theme of the party.’
‘I’ve got photos,’ said Pan. ‘Oh, the fashions back then – woolly tank tops and tailored suits for the men… knee-high, tight-waisted dresses for women. And the hats, the updos and pin curls… I’ve got a shot of my mum, looking ever so glam. She was a whizz with a needle. In fact, she still looks great now. Maybe I’ll invite her to the party.’
A couple of the residents exchanged glances.
‘She sounds like a talented woman,’ said Nik easily and he beamed. ‘I’m very much looking forward to meeting people’s relatives. You have your sons and grandchildren to invite as well, don’t you, Pan?’
‘My sons… yes, yes, they must come first of course – they’ve been so good to me lately.’
‘I’ve still got some of my parents… Dad in his favourite felt fedora hat and high-waisted trousers,’ said Nancy.
