“Listen to the radio” he mutters to himself

1930

Frank turns up at Tom’s.

“What’s up Frank” he asks

“My mother, she wants to see Ivy”

“Why can’t she come and see her for herself?”

“She ill. Very ill”

Ivy is made ready and the little troop drive down to Kensington. They walk into Mrs Bushnell’s bedroom where she is lying. A doctor is listening to her heart with his stethoscope. Ivy walks over to the bed while Tom and Ruby stay at the door.

“Gran’ma, hello”

Mrs Bushnell turns her head

“Ivy, my little girl”

“We’ll be downstairs” says Tom

Tom and Ruby sit downstairs in silence, with just the clock on the mantelpiece for company. Ivy comes downstairs.

“Gran’ma’s very sick” she says

“I’m sure she’ll be alright” says Ruby.

They wait for a while longer.

“Perhaps we should go” says Ruby

Frank comes downstairs.

“She’s…” he tries to speak

Tom stands up and lays a hand on Frank’s shoulder.

Frank croaks “I’m sorry she didn’t see eye to eye with you”

“Frank” starts Tom “It’s quite alright. She was a good person. I think she was angry at losing her daughter and saw me as the one to blame”

Frank nods his head