Battles Lost and Won (31 page)

She sighed. How her heart ached for him. Nearly six months after the accident and she still had to fight the tears to see him so helpless. He had always been an independent man and hated relying on other people all the time, but there was nothing else he could do. Bob had been wonderful by showing him how to do things on his own, and she dreaded to think what his life would be like now if Bob hadn’t arrived with his special skills. Her mum wouldn’t have coped, that was for sure, and the strain on the rest of them would have been terrible. He had brought a feeling of strength and stability to their lives when it was so badly needed.

‘Ruthie.’ John opened the door of her bedroom and peered in. ‘Mum said supper would be ready in ten minutes. Are you going out with Dave tonight?’

She shook her head. ‘I’m too busy.’

‘Oh.’ He edged into the room, being careful not to tread on the lovely material draped all over the floor. ‘What are you making?’

‘A wedding gown, and I’ve only got a week to finish it.’

‘It looks as if it’s for a posh wedding. Is it?’

‘Very, and it’s important that I make a good job of it.’

‘Sally’s helping Mum. She likes cooking.’

‘She’s a good girl.’ Ruth folded the gown carefully and laid it on her bed, then smiled at her brother. ‘In fact you’ve all been very brave and helpful. I’m proud of you all.’

‘Dad’s not going to walk again, is he, Ruthie?’ This was a question he was constantly asking, probably hoping that one day he would get the answer he hoped for.

‘We don’t know, but Bob doesn’t give up trying, and I’m sure he hasn’t given up hope. So we mustn’t either.’

Disappointment showed on his expressive face, then he brightened. ‘Bob’s been showing me and Eddie how to help Dad, because he’s got lots of other men coming every day to see him, but he doesn’t leave Dad’s side for long. Mr Hunter says Bob should charge for what he does, but he said the men he sees haven’t got any money. We’re all right, though, aren’t we, Ruthie?’

‘We’re doing fine. I’m getting more work than I can handle really, but Hannah is looking after my stall when I can’t get there. And you, Sally and Mum are helping as well, so we’re making enough money to get by.’

John nodded. ‘I’m ten now, and when I leave school and get a job, you and Eddie won’t have to work so hard.’

‘That’s true,’ she agreed, ‘but you mustn’t worry about that now. We’ll manage while you finish your schooling. It’s very important, you know.’

‘That’s what Bob says. Do you know that before he came home he was having special lessons from a university teacher? A professor arranged it for him.’

‘Really?’ She was being constantly surprised by the things Bob had been doing. ‘He’s never said anything about it.’

‘Captain Russell told Mr Hunter. He said Bob was really upset about giving it all up, but he tried not to show it. As soon as he told him about Dad though, he came immediately.’

This news upset her. Had he been close to fulfilling his dream, and walked away from it because they needed help? In that moment every doubt she’d held on to about him drained away. The accident had changed all their lives.

‘Mum’s calling.’ John tugged at her sleeve. ‘Come on, I’m hungry.’

While they were sitting around the table, Ruth studied Bob carefully when his attention was elsewhere. If she looked very hard she could still see small signs of the boy she had known so well, in the way his grey eyes never seemed to miss a thing, and that slightly crooked smile was still the same. He was older, of course, and even better looking, but she felt the biggest change was inside. As a boy he had been quite volatile, intolerant, but now there was a sense of calmness about him. Since he had come back she hadn’t once seen him lose his temper; even when her dad had been depressed and at his most difficult, it had not appeared to touch him. She didn’t know what difficulties and trials he had faced during the last few years, but he certainly wasn’t the same person who had walked away from here so full of anger. She couldn’t help wondering if he saw great changes in her as well, and perhaps he didn’t like what he saw. That was an uncomfortable thought, for although they got on well now, she couldn’t forget how rude she had been to him at first. How childish he must have thought her to be, and he would have been right.

There was a knock on the front door and she was about to get up to see who was there, but her mum beat her to it.

Daisy was soon back. ‘Bob, there’s a woman asking to see you and she has her husband with her. He’s on crutches and she begged me to persuade you to see them.’

Without a word Bob was on his feet and heading for the front door.

Alf was shaking his head. ‘Better keep his supper warm, Daisy, because we won’t see him for a while. Word is getting around and they keep turning up now, don’t they?’

‘Some men are desperate for help, and most living around here can’t afford expensive medical treatment.’ Daisy put Bob’s plate in the oven on a low gas.

‘I know, but he can’t take on everyone. He’s working continually and not being paid a penny. Even when it’s offered he won’t take it.’ Alf finished his meal and stood up. ‘I’d better see if he needs any help.’

‘They’ve become very close,’ Steve remarked when Alf left the scullery. ‘It’s good to see.’

Nearly an hour passed before they returned, and as soon as they were settled Daisy put Bob’s meal in front of him again. ‘It’s dried out a bit, but I’ve put some fresh gravy on it.’

‘Thanks, Daisy.’ He immediately attacked the food.

‘Were you able to help that man?’ Ruth asked, curious, because he said very little about the men who came to him.

Bob swallowed before speaking. ‘Can’t say at this point. I need more information about his injuries, and after that I’ll do what I can.’

Ruth persisted. ‘How many men are coming to you now?’

‘I’m not counting, Ruth.’ He finished his meal just as there was a thump on the back door. It opened a few inches, then a few more to allow a face to peer in.

‘Hello everyone.’ Dave gave them his wide grin. ‘You ready, Bob? Er . . . I’ve brought someone with me.’

‘Not another one,’ Alf muttered, watching his son’s mouth twitch at the corners. ‘Is he taking them off the streets?’

The door opened a touch more so Dave could get his head right in. ‘They keep coming to me, Alf, and I’ve got a soft heart. I can’t say no.’

‘Hmm. There’s nothing wrong with your hearing either, is there?’

Dave shook his head, still smiling, shoulders inside now. ‘Hello, Ruth, have you got any time for me yet?’

‘Sorry.’ She shook her head. ‘I’m still too busy.’

‘You ought to be careful you know, because I might find someone else.’

She burst out laughing at his false hurt expression. ‘You’ve already got them lined up, Dave Wilson.’

‘I can’t help it if the girls find me irresistible.’

‘The conceit of the man,’ Steve said, and they all laughed.

Bob got to his feet. ‘I’ll take him out of your way.’

But Dave was standing right inside the scullery now. ‘I’ve got some good news.’

‘You’re not going to bring Bob any more injured men?’ Alf asked, drily.

‘Not that, but I won’t have as much time after this week.’ He looked smug. ‘I’m starting work with a firm of architects so I can finish my training.’

‘Oh, that’s wonderful!’ Ruth was applauding and everyone else joined in. ‘Well done, Dave.’

‘Thanks.’ He looked almost shy for a moment, his eyes full of gratitude when he looked at the tall man standing beside him. ‘I’d never have been taken on if it hadn’t been for Bob. I can hold a pencil now and draw as well as I ever did. He’s worked a damned miracle on me, and given me the chance to do the job I really love.’

‘It was your own determination,’ Bob told him dismissively. ‘I’m glad you are going to be gainfully employed instead of making a pest of yourself. Now, let’s see the man you kindly brought along with you.’

Both men were laughing as they left.

‘Isn’t it wonderful news?’ Daisy said as she began to clear the table. ‘Bob must be so pleased to know he’s been able to continue his training.’

‘I’m sure he is.’ Steve looked at his family, serious now. ‘But we can’t keep him here much longer. He never says anything, but I know he’s longing to return to his job. I’ve told him he’s to go after Christmas.’

There was a tense silence, and Daisy was the first to speak. ‘I know you’re right and we must let him go, but we are going to miss him terribly. How will we manage without him, darling?’

‘I’ll be all right. He’s been teaching Eddie how to help me, and Alf will be around as well. I can do quite a lot for myself now.’

‘I can even massage Dad’s back,’ Eddie told them proudly. ‘Bob said I’m quite good at it, didn’t he, Dad?’

‘You most certainly are, and you’ve had a good teacher.’

‘How long has this been going on?’ Ruth asked. She had known her brother was interested in what Bob did, but she had no idea he had been learning how to do a massage. She had been so busy trying to earn enough money for them to live on, that she hadn’t had time to take an interest in what everyone else was doing.

‘Oh, ages,’ her brother said. ‘We just haven’t mentioned it, that’s all.’

‘You mustn’t worry, Daisy,’ Alf assured her. ‘We’ve been working towards making it possible for Steve to do things for himself, and Eddie and I can take care of anything he can’t manage. We can’t keep Bob much longer; it wouldn’t be fair on him.’

‘No, of course you’re right. We’ve asked a great deal of him and it’s been good of him to stay this long.’ She brightened up. ‘He’ll be here for a while yet, but you’ll miss your riding. You enjoyed that.’

‘I can still go. Alf and Eddie are going to take me.’ Steve chuckled. ‘Captain Russell said he would get them both on a horse as well.’

‘We’ll see about that,’ Alf smirked.

‘What’s he going to do about all the other men, Mr Hunter?’ John wanted to know.

‘He’s going to come back once a month to see them, and he plans to stay for two days each time.’

‘You sound as if you’ve been planning this for some time.’

‘We have, Ruth.’ Steve nodded. ‘I’ve been telling him to go back to his work for quite a while now, and he’s finally agreed to go after Christmas. They want him to return so he can finish his training and I know he wants to do that. He’s done enough here; we can’t keep him forever.’

Daisy sighed. ‘That’s true enough, but it’s a comfort to know he will come back to see us regularly.’

Everyone agreed, and so did Ruth. The thought of him leaving made her unhappy, for he was going back to a life that didn’t include her, and she was desperately sorry about that, because she very much wanted to be with him. She had always loved the boy, but she now loved him in a very different way.

The realization came as quite a shock.

‘The weather is getting too cold for you to ride now, Steve.’

‘That’s a shame. I’ve really enjoyed this, and I can even trot now.’

‘You’re welcome here any time.’ Captain Russell steadied the chestnut horse while Bob lifted Steve off. ‘If Bob isn’t around then you bring Eddie and Alf, as we agreed.’

‘Thanks, I know Eddie’s looking forward to coming, but I’m not too sure about Alf.’ He grinned at the thought as Bob put him back in the wheelchair, then he started to rub the top of his left leg.

‘What’s the matter?’ Bob asked immediately.

‘My leg aches . . .’

‘Does it?’ Bob began to run his hands over Steve’s legs.

‘Ouch!’

Bob surged to his feet. ‘I need somewhere to examine Steve, Captain.’

‘Follow me.’ Ben took them into the house and up the stairs to one of the bedrooms. ‘Will this do?’

‘Perfect.’ He laid Steve on the bed.

‘Anything I can do?’

‘No thanks, I can manage.’

‘What have I done?’ Steve asked, agitated. ‘I’ve ridden lots of times and never hurt myself.’

‘I don’t think you’ve hurt yourself, but I need to make sure.’

For the next half an hour Bob said nothing as he worked, massaging and manipulating Steve’s back and legs.

The silence finally became too much for Steve. ‘Tell me what the hell’s happened.’

Bob sat him up again and smiled. ‘The feeling is coming back to your legs. Try moving your toes.’

Steve studied his toes, concentrating hard, and when one moved slightly he yelled, ‘Look at that! Oh dear Lord, am I going to walk again? Please tell me I am, Bob.’

‘Don’t get too excited.’ Bob laid a restraining hand on him. ‘There’s an improvement at last, but we don’t know how good it will get. What I’m going to do is exercise your legs more to strengthen them.’

Steve was nodding eagerly. ‘Anything you say. Get me on my feet by Christmas.’

‘Steady on there, that’s only four weeks away,’ he pointed out. ‘But don’t worry. If there’s a chance you’re going to get some feeling back in your legs, I’ll stay on after Christmas.’

‘Oh, thanks, Bob.’ Steve clasped his hand in gratitude. ‘You’ve done so much and I hate to ask you to stay longer.’

‘You’re not asking, I’m offering.’

There was a rap on the door and the captain came in. ‘Do you need a doctor, Bob? I can get one here quickly.’

‘No, thanks, everything is all right.’

‘Look!’ Steve pointed to his feet. ‘I can move a toe, and there’s some feeling coming back to my left leg. All that horse riding must have done some good.’

‘That’s wonderful!’ The captain spun to face Bob, a questioning look on his face. ‘Is this the start of a steady improvement?’

‘All I can say is that this is the most hopeful sign we’ve had so far.’

‘I want to get back on my feet by Christmas,’ Steve insisted, ‘even if it’s on crutches. It would be the best present my family could have, and Bob has arranged to go back to his job in the New Year. I don’t want to delay him; he’s already spent far too much time with us.’

Lilly peered in the room. ‘Mum said would you like tea up here, Daddy?’

‘What do you think, Bob?’

‘No, we’ll come down.’

‘Tell Mummy we’ll be down soon. And Lilly, do you remember Grandpa’s walking stick? The one with the horse’s head in silver?’

She nodded. ‘It’s in the stick stand by the door.’