Page 35 of The Winter We Met
‘I’ve got some old snaps too,’ said Fred. ‘Reckon that’s one reason I went into the fire service, not that I can see them clearly now – damn glaucoma. Dad was a dispatch rider, Mum a nurse. My gran often looked after me and my brother. It made a big impression on me as a kid, seeing them go off in uniform, and then looking at the photos as I got older.’
A warm glow of nostalgia spread across the lounge as if happy times from the past were giving the residents a hug. They recalled their childhoods and the cherished photos they had, stashed away, like those of babies in voluminous white Christening gowns, of beach shots with women in modest swimming costumes that looked like short dresses… of Austin cars and street parties… of relatives dressed in their Sunday best.
Not for the first time Nik had brought the place alive and I couldn’t help but stare at him.
Neither could Oliver and Alf.
Glenda had been unusually quiet. Nik seemed to pick up on that as he turned to her.
‘Haveyougot any old photos?’ he asked.
Glenda shrugged. ‘I have some lovely shots from the farm I grew up on – my stepfather owned it. I can say lovely now. At the time it was a tough, physically demanding life and that’s why I was determined to move to the city when I got older, and work in an office. But I suppose I could rustle up some photos I’m sure any visiting children would enjoy looking at, of our animals, if we’re really going ahead with this party.’ Her brow softened. ‘I think I’ve got one of my favourite cow that I used to milk, Nettie. She used to love a belly rub and scratch behind the ears. She’d always welcome me with a loud moo.’
‘Great,’ said Nik and he went over to her and crouched down. Her face flushed bright pink. It amused me a little – Glenda was usually so no-nonsense… yet at the same time I felt pleased for her. She’d never had a boyfriend or companion as long as I’d known her, nor ever been married, nor spoken about a previous partner.
‘It’s obvious to me,’ said Nik, ‘that with your organisational skills you’re the perfect person to bring this idea to fruition.’
‘Me?’ Glenda’s mouth fell open. ‘I’ve not got time, what with moving… and this party… as far as I’m concerned—’
‘For someone with your administrative experience it would take up no time at all.’ He placed a hand on hers. ‘It’s obvious from the smart way you dress that you’ve got a flair for presentation and an eye for detail.’
She gave a nervous laugh.Glendaunsure of herself? She looked away and picked an imaginary piece of fluff off her turtleneck jumper. ‘Well, if you really think…’
He squeezed her hand and stood up.
‘Everyone, get those photos ready, and over the next couple of weeks Glenda will come knocking on your doors to take a look and pick the ones she thinks are most suitable.’
Glenda sat up with a jolt, as if she’d just come out from being under a spell. ‘Now wait a minute, I didn’t agree to—’
He gave her a thumbs-up. ‘You’re a real sport for offering, Glenda.’
‘Here’s to Nik – for saving our party,’ said Pan. ‘I don’t know about everyone else, but I feel excited about it now and that’s a much-needed chink of light in what has felt like a dark time.’ She tentatively started singing ‘For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow’ as if she felt she might be doing something wrong. Buddy barked and her expression eased as Nik gave her a wink and everyone else joined in – apart from Oliver and Alf.
‘Thanks heaps,’ he said when they’d finished. ‘Although we’ve still got a lot of work ahead of us, to pull this off. Don’t sing my praises too soon! And none of this would be happening without Jess, Alice and Lynn, they’re the people you should really be thanking.’
‘This party means a lot to you, lad, doesn’t it?’ said Alf. ‘Why? We’re just a bunch of old codgers – why should you give up your time?’
Everyone looked at Nik – Oliver, intensely so.
The skin around his eyes developed red blotches. ‘This is a business trip but also, last week it was the ten-year anniversary of my grandmother’s death,’ he said in a faltering voice. ‘I miss her advice and laughter… and the way she’d always be on my side, even when I got into trouble.’
The residents nodded.
‘Ten years on… I don’t know… the business has been floundering, and whilst she was my cheerleader, she always told me if she thought I needed to buck up my ideas. Our toy company badly needs to become more dynamic and relevant and this trip is partly because of her. It’s what she would have suggested I do.’
‘She sounds like my Maisie,’ said Alf.
Nik’s voice sounded strained. ‘I loved her very much.’
My throat ached at his openness, at the raw emotion and how he wasn’t afraid of sharing his feelings.
‘That’s why I’m more than happy to help. Grams’ care home was first-class and this is just the sort of thing the staff there would have organised. It’s my pleasure to lend a hand and in some small way it kind of makes me feel close to her again.’
‘We can do it,’ said Nancy and she punched the air.
‘Sod the damn move – let’s make this party one to remember,’ said Fred.
With a vibrancy that had been lacking of late, the residents got up to make their way into the dining room for sandwiches, with workers in their aqua blue uniforms helping those who couldn’t manage. I wished Gran was here.
