Roses For Katie (7 page)

‘I must do my bit after all you’ve done for me. And don’t try to stop me,’ she said, as she awkwardly picked up some plates and cups with her arthritic hands. She tottered off to carry them into the kitchen, then moments later there was a loud crash of china, and a sharp cry for help.

‘Mummy, Mummy,’ little David shrieked. He tumbled out through the kitchen door and fell straight into Angie’s arms, crying pitifully. With tears streaming down his face, he sobbed, ‘I didn’t do it, Mummy, I didn’t.’

Chapter Four

Sam reached the kitchen first, with Katie and Tanya close on her heels.

‘Oh, my God,’ Tanya moaned, stretching over them to see what had happened.

Aunt Bertha was on the floor, her face twisted in agony.

‘My leg. Something’s happened to my leg,’ she groaned. ‘I can’t move it.’

Katie held the old lady’s head in her lap, and rubbed her hands vigorously, as though that would make her better. She looked up at Sam, white-faced and with tears in her eyes.

‘This is all my fault, Sam,’ Katie moaned. ‘I should have stopped her carrying those dishes in. I should have had more sense. Oh dear… this wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t brought her here… what have I done?’

‘Come on, Mum, you mustn’t blame yourself; it certainly wasn’t your fault,’ Sam said. ‘Aunt Bertha was thrilled to come here. She was simply trying to be part of the family by helping clear the dishes.’

By now Tanya had phoned for an ambulance, and was back in two minutes to say it would come as soon as possible. Sam slipped a small cushion under Aunt Bertha’s head and tried to make her comfortable, and then made the old lady a cup of sweet tea for the shock.

‘You look as though you need one as well,’ she said, handing a cup to her mother.

In just over ten minutes, Bertha was on her way to hospital, accompanied by Katie, with Sam following in her car so that she could drive her mother home. It was such an anticlimax to a beautiful day that Katie felt limp and exhausted. Aunt Bertha was seen immediately and wheeled into a ward straight away. Within minutes of the house doctor seeing her, she was taken for X-rays. Katie was more than a little surprised at how soon he approached her with the diagnosis.

‘I’m afraid you aunt has broken her femur.’

Katie’s lips trembled. ‘Will she need an operation?’

‘More than likely, I’d say.

‘But she’s very old… will she survive it?’

The doctor shrugged. ‘An operation is always a risk, whatever the problem, whatever the age. I’m not in a position to say what’ll happen, but she seems pretty healthy for her years. I reckon she should be all right, but your worrying won’t help her. You can rest assured we’ll do all we can for her.’ He gave her a smile, and then excused himself, leaving Katie and Sam waiting to see what was to happen next. After what seemed an interminable time, the ward sister approached them.

‘You can see your aunt for a few minutes,’ she said. ‘We’ve given her something for the shock and pain, so don’t expect her to be very bright.’

‘And the operation?’ Katie queried. ‘When will that be?’

‘I can’t say. It’ll be done as soon as her state of health has been fully checked. It could be tomorrow, or maybe the next day.’ The woman fidgeted on her feet and then left them.

Katie spent a few minutes holding Aunt Bertha’s hand, but she could see that the old lady wasn’t really with it, so they left, promising to return the next day.

Once home again, Katie tried to come to grips with what had happened. Keenly aware that her newfound feelings of contentment had been shattered, she felt that she was being punished for some unaccountable reason. Tanya was still there, along with Angie, and little David, who was fast asleep on the settee. The other children had gone home with their fathers.

‘How’s Aunt Bertha?’ Angie asked. ‘She must have collided with David as he ran out; at least, that’s what I guess happened. Aunt Bertha must have folded to the floor like a rag doll, and of course, old bones are fragile, I suppose.’

‘That’s right. And the trouble is that she’s a heavy woman, and a fall for someone of her weight and age is bound to be worse,’ Katie said.

‘I’m so sorry about what happened,’ Angie said, ‘but you know what children are like when they’re all together and excited.’ She gathered up a soundly sleeping David into her arms to carry him out to the car. ‘We’ll go now,’ she said, softly, ‘and I’ll be in touch tomorrow to see how things are at the hospital.’

Katie felt the house dreadfully quiet after they had all left. The ticking of the old grandfather clock in the hall seemed to reverberate through the whole house, and got on her nerves. She switched on the television, but not even the feature film captured her attention.

She wanted tomorrow to come fast, with a bright sun and a new day. She turned off the television set and made a hot chocolate drink to take upstairs, hoping it would help her go to sleep. It didn’t, and the night was so very long and restless, that she was glad to see the eventual dawn of a new day.

Suddenly remembering that she had made arrangements for the local garage to send someone early to collect her car for its regular service, she hurried to get downstairs. As she glanced through the kitchen widow the mechanic arrived, and called at the door for the car keys. As she watched her car being driven away, she looked across at the garden to see if Pat was around. She wished the cheerful Irishman would breeze in with his happy banter and take her mind off her miserable thoughts.

As though willed to appear, Pat arrived just after the garage mechanic left. As he parked his Volvo, Katie waved to him through the kitchen window, and went out straight away to talk with him before he started work.

‘Top o’the morning,’ he said, and then gazed into her eyes. ‘You don’t look as though you had a very sound sleep last night, Mrs. Turner, if you don’t mind my saying so. Do you feel all right? Or is there something amiss?’

Katie brushed the back of her hand across her brow, and for a moment she felt quite faint. ‘I feel a bit dizzy,’ she admitted. ‘And you’re right — I didn’t sleep well last night, so that’s probably the cause.’ She gazed up into the concerned eyes of her gardener, and then told him what had happened to Aunt Bertha. ‘I’m so worried about her having to go through an operation. She may not make it.’ Tears were not far away as she spoke.

‘I see,’ Pat said, thoughtfully. ‘Now Mrs. Turner, just sit yourself on this garden seat and, if it’s all right with you, I’ll go inside and make you a nice cup of tea.’

Katie didn’t argue. It was good to have someone care about her needs; good to have someone fuss over her, again. Pat soon returned with a tray. ‘I found everything, including some biscuits,’ he said. ‘Now I’m going to wait while you drink that down, and I’m going to make sure you’re all right before I start my work.’ He pulled a garment from underneath his arm. ‘Here, I found this draped over a chair in the kitchen.’ He slipped the jacket over Katie’s shoulders. ‘The sun’s up, but ‘tis none too warm this early, but you’ll be all right with that over your shoulders.’ She closed her eyes, and realized that she must have dropped off to sleep for a few minutes, because when she opened them again Pat was busy in the garden, barely yards away. He sensed she was looking at him, and looked up.

‘Well, you’ve got a bit more colour now,’ he said, crossing over to her. ‘If you want to go inside and take a proper rest in the warm, take my arm, so that you don’t wobble off your feet.’

‘That’s a good idea,’ Katie said laughing at the thought of wobbling to the ground. ‘You made a lovely cup of tea. I think I must have dozed off after it because I feel sleepy now; I feel as though I could sleep for a week.’

‘Ah, so that means you’re more relaxed. Good. All that tension is no doubt a reaction to what happened last night. Have you rung the hospital yet to find out how things are going?’

‘No. I didn’t ring earlier in case they were serving breakfast. I’ll do it now when I go inside.’

With his strong arms holding her tightly, Pat helped Katie into the sitting room, and made her comfortable in her favourite chair.

‘There,’ he said, with his infectious smile, ‘the phone’s at your side, and you’ll be able to see me through the window to check that I’m up to no mischief.’

Katie looked up at him, thankful that he was there to help and comfort her. He was like a rock to her, and she felt that whatever her worries were, she could tell Pat about them. ‘I’m just so glad you’re here,’ she said, returning his smile, ‘but I’m all right. Don’t worry.’

Before he left, Pat’s bright blue eyes gave her a searching look. It seemed to her that he was truly anxious about her state of health. She made the phone call, but all she got was the usual, ‘comfortable’ She leaned back in her chair with a deep sigh, and within minutes she was catching up on the sleep she had missed last night. It must have been over an hour before she opened her eyes at the sound of crockery in the kitchen. It was Pat making coffee for them both.

‘You’re a saint, and so thoughtful,’ she said. ‘Bring yours in here and sit down beside me. I’d like your company.’

Pat had slipped off his gumboots and outer garment, and sat on the little cane stool at her side.

‘I saw Jack from the garage driving your car away just as I drove in,’ Pat said. ‘I presume it’s having a road safety check and service, so how will you get to the hospital today? Will someone be able to drive you there?’

‘Yes. I almost forgot about that, but I’m sure Sam will take me.’ She shrugged. ‘I haven’t had any definite news from the hospital yet, though. When I last asked about Aunt Bertha, what they told me was vague. Still, I think I’ll ring again now to ask when she’s having the operation.’

Katie lifted the phone and dialled the hospital, and asked for information. She gave Pat a glum look as she listened to the reply. ‘Nothing further, other than being told once more that the patient is satisfactory and comfortable,’ she said. ‘That’s the usual reply. They’ll never give more over the phone.’

Pat gave a little cough. ‘Look here,’ he said, hesitating a little, ‘it’s, er… my day for finishing early, so I could take you to the hospital straight after lunch. You’d be independent of your daughters then, and I could wait in the car park while you’re with your aunt.’ He waited for a second or two, then went on. ‘Would you like me to do that? It’s no problem, Mrs. Turner.’

‘Thank you, Pat, I’d be delighted if you’ll do that for me. You really are one of the most thoughtful people I’ve met in a long while.’

Pat grinned broadly. ‘That settles it then. I don’t need anything to eat, but shall I get you something before we go?’

Katie shook her head. ‘No thanks. There’s enough quiche, and other bits and pieces left over from yesterday to feed us both twice over. In fact there’s a lot likely to waste.’

She pondered for only a few seconds. ‘Now this is only a suggestion, so say what you honestly feel about it and I won’t mind one bit. What would you say to packing up the rest of the left-over food, and making a picnic of it somewhere? Then we could make more plans for my garden. We haven’t had much opportunity to talk.’

Immediately, the idea brought a smile to his face. ‘What a great idea. It’s years since I had a picnic. It would be fun to eat out in the countryside.’

Katie watched Pat’s eyes glow with pleasure as he nodded with enthusiastic approval. ‘Okay, Mrs. Turner. I’ll put the garden tools back in the shed right now.’

After he went out, feeling a lot more comfortable, Katie closed her eyes again. She must have fallen asleep once more, because it seemed only minutes before Pat was at her side, saying that he was going to slip home for a shower, and would be back for her within the hour.

She stirred herself and quickly packed the picnic lunch. As she placed it in the hamper, she felt happy, envisaging a snack under a shady tree in the nearest woods they could find. Tanya and Margie were both at work, so she phoned Sam and explained what was happening.

It seemed no time at all before Pat had returned, and they set off. Katie noticed what a good driver he was, and she felt safe with him, relaxing into the comfortable Volvo seat, and gazing dreamily around as he drove carefully through the narrow country lanes.

‘After you’ve seen your Aunt Bertha, maybe we could have our picnic in those woods over there,’ he said, pointing.’

‘Wherever you say,’ Katie said. ‘It’s such a lovely area that just about anywhere here would do on such a beautiful day.’ Then she sighed. ‘I’m so worried about Aunt Bertha, and this is giving me something else to think about, thankfully.’

Within a short time they were parked in the hospital lot, and Katie gathered up her handbag. ‘You’re sure you’ll be okay sitting out here?’ she asked, suddenly feeling bad about leaving him in his car to wait for her.

‘Don’t worry about me Mrs. Turner.’ He reached for a rose catalog off the back seat, ‘I’ll be fine. You take all the time you want with your aunt.’

When Katie walked into the ward, Aunt Bertha was sitting up in bed, but looking miserable. As Katie approached her, the old lady’s face broke into a smile and she reached out a hand.

‘How lovely to see you, my dear. I’m so glad you’ve come,’ she said, and leaned forward to whisper, ‘They won’t tell me when my operation is. Perhaps they’ll tell you, so will you ask?’

‘Of course I will,’ Katie said, glancing around the four-bed ward to see if the Sister was about. For the next ten minutes, Katie kept her aunt’s spirits up by telling stories about her little grandchildren. Just then, a nurse appeared, and apologized that she had to take Aunt Bertha to another part of the hospital for some more tests. ‘When is the surgery scheduled?’ Katie asked.

‘Maybe tomorrow,’ the nurse said, ‘but Sister would be able to tell you more.’

Aunt Bertha looked crestfallen as she was wheeled away. ‘You’ll come again, soon?’ she whispered.

‘Tomorrow,’ Katie answered, and left, none the wiser about what was to happen, because Sister had been called away to an emergency in the next ward. Rather than wait for her to reappear, Katie decided it was wiser to leave the issue for the time being, and left. She found Pat reclining in the driver seat with his eyes closed, obviously expecting a long wait.