Page 89 of The Winter We Met
‘I see you two,’ said a gruff voice. Alf had appeared at our side, clutching his notebook. ‘My suspicions may not ring true with you youngsters, but that jumper is more proof, like it or not.’
‘Alf. Sorry, it just tickled me, given all the other bits of evidence you’ve listed. But this… it’s just a coincidence, surely?’
‘Like you saying how much your life improved once you started meditating? Who’s to say listening to yourself breathe has any effect on mental health? You haven’t got indisputable evidence.’
I sighed as the first relatives started to arrive. ‘Trust me, Alf, I’ve a whole list of things I’d ask Santa for if he was here, right this minute. I really wish your theory about Nik was true.’
‘What theory’s this?’ asked Nik from behind me and beaming, he came around and placed his hand on Alf’s shoulder.
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‘Oh look! How beautiful!’
‘Damn well gets me in the festive mood.’
‘Blimey O’Reilly, I wasn’t expecting it to fall that thickly.’
‘Bloody good show!’
Nik’s question was thwarted by gasps of delight as everyone headed over to the window. Snowflakes tumbled down from the sky. I looked out, to the left, at the other side of the entrance way and watched a large cannon shooting the fake snow high into the air.
‘I feel as if I’m back in Finland,’ said Nik, holding back as he was heads and shoulders above everyone else. He stood, gazing over recently set perms and bald heads, mesmerised by the magical scene.
‘Mum took me sledging once,’ I said to Oliver. ‘On a tray. It split as I sped down the local park’s hill. I ended up in the river at the bottom. Luckily it was frozen.’
‘Mine never let me out. Said it was too dangerous and the last thing Nanny wanted was to look after a child with a broken leg. Do you think your mum will come today?’
‘No. Gran and I have discussed it and we’re okay with that.’
‘You sure, Jess?’ he said, in a gentle tone.
‘I’ve already got everything I need. Gran. Buddy.’ You.
‘Come on, Oliver – I’ll help you make cocktails,’ said Krish and she pushed him playfully. ‘There’s a queue forming.’ He hesitated before leaving.
I went over to Nik and Glenda who were showing visitors the photo collection. The next couple of hours passed in a busy blur. The food was a big hit. I’d never tasted anything as delicious as the eggnog pie. People milled in and out of the dining room, listening to Geoff play in the lounge. I caught snippets of conversation. Pan sat with Adam and his wife, looking more relaxed than I’d seen her in weeks.
‘I’d love to choose the colours for my room,’ she said. ‘I’m thinking bright purple.’ She laughed at her son’s horrified face. ‘Your old mum can still fool you.’
Glenda chatted to Alf’s daughter, Polly, about her bookkeeping business and outfit.
‘I don’t feel ready for work unless I’m dressed, made up and hair sprayed, even though I work from home,’ said Polly.
‘An excellent attitude,’ said Glenda. ‘I don’t feel ready for anything unless I’ve got my lipstick on.’
They both laughed.
Nik sat with Phyllis who was stroking her electronic King Charles Spaniel. He stroked it too. Phyllis looked at him and her eyes filled for a moment. He nodded gently. No words were exchanged just some kind of intangible understanding like I thought I had with him.
A lump rose in my throat. This was what it had all been about – the hard work. The stress. The crafting sessions. Everything on the clipboard list. It was about bringing people together for one last time to create memories that would stand the test of time. Even in Pan’s case because there would always be the stones up at Pebble Rock, the warmth in everyone’s hearts.
The love.
Studying the photos collected by Glenda had also underlined why this get-together was so important. There were pictures of the residents as who they still were inside, the people behind the grey hair and wrinkles. The dashing firefighter, the stylish international business woman, the busy efficient and capable parents… It was so easy, in a care home, to forget the achievements of the resident – to forget that they had desires and hobbies and a purpose just like anyone else. The photos, their history, it all compounded the importance of Lynn’s emphasis on treating them with dignity and respect. This party celebrated the lives they’d led in the past and, just as importantly, the lives they now had.
I swallowed and turned my attention to Krish. She was speaking to Oliver and Gran. Perhaps I was looking at the future in the wrong way. Oliver and me meeting partners may not mean our family would break up. Instead it could get bigger. Perhaps Krish or whoever he went out with next would take us from a three to a four.
I turned around. Lynn was tapping my shoulder.
