My second week as a tutor went smoothly. I knew my way round the buildings, had got to grips with the timetable, and had learned the names of all my students. The preparation time in August had definitely placed me in a strong position to be on top of things. Which was just as well because I had something on every evening that week.
Hannah was increasingly uncomfortable and desperate for Baby Spiers to make an appearance and Toby was working long hours so he could take a fortnight off work when the baby arrived. Keen to help, I prepared them a couple of evening meals. I took Rich and Dave out for a meal to thank them for letting me move in, and Dad came across another evening. Around all that, I spent as much time at Hedgehog Hollow as possible.
Thomas was like a changed man. He’d been through the box of photos and found some more of me and my grandparents with Gwendoline at Meadowcroft. Dad had also found four photos of us all which delighted Thomas.
‘She was so beautiful,’ he said, gently stroking her image with his thumb after I handed them over.
‘She certainly was. You were a very lucky man.’
He smiled. ‘That I was. And I told her that every day.’
Sunday brought great news.
✉︎ From Toby
It’s a girl! Amelia Charlotte Spiers was born at 5.42am with lots of dark hair and a cracking pair of lungs. Only 6lb 6oz and she’s already got daddy wrapped round her little finger. Hannah is tired but doing great. Needed c-section xx
Shortly before visiting time started that afternoon, I wandered down the corridor towards the maternity ward, clutching a gift bag and a helium balloon.
‘Sam!’ Toby looked up from the chair beside Hannah’s bed where he was cuddling a sleeping baby.
Hannah turned from him to look at me. ‘Hi. We didn’t realise you were coming today.’
‘I wanted to be one of the first to say congratulations and to welcome Amelia Charlotte to the world. Aw, you two. She’s completely adorable. I can’t wait to—’ Something about the looks they exchanged stopped me in my tracks.
Hannah wrinkled her nose. ‘James texted to say that he and Chloe would visit at two and we hadn’t heard from you so…’
‘It’s fine. Completely my fault. I didn’t think at all.’ I placed the bag on the end of the bed and hastily tied the balloon to the handles. ‘I don’t want to cause a scene so I’ll leave these and skedaddle. I’ll catch up with you when you’re home.’ Keen to show Hannah it wasn’t her fault, I leaned over to give my friend a kiss on the cheek. That’s when I heard her voice.
‘What’s she doing here?’
My heart thumped and my cheeks burned as I stood up.
‘Sam was just leaving,’ Toby said. ‘See you soon, yeah?’
‘Yeah. Congratulations again. I’ll look forward to my hug later.’
‘You’re not choosy, are you?’ Chloe said. ‘As long as it’s someone’s husband.’
‘Chloe!’ James hissed.
I met Chloe’s eyes. ‘I can’t believe you just said that.’ My voice caught in my throat. ‘You know I meant the baby.’
‘Yeah, well, what you say and what you mean are two different things, aren’t they?’
I hitched my handbag onto my shoulder and cleared my throat to make my voice stronger. ‘You know what, Chloe? I’d have asked if we could talk but there’s no talking to you, is there? The Chloe I know and love doesn’t make bitchy comments like that so, if she appears again and she wants to talk, she knows where to find me.’ I gave a feeble wave to Toby and Hannah. ‘See you.’
As I strode past the other beds and out of the ward, I imagined Chloe running up to me, grabbing me in a hug, saying she was sorry. But I knew it wasn’t going to happen.
‘Sammie! I wasn’t expecting to see you today,’ Thomas said an hour later. The ease with which he’d moved to using my pet name filled me with comfort, especially as he’d previously been adamant that he didn’t like shortened names. It made me feel special.
I shrugged. ‘I wasn’t expecting to be here. I can go if it’s inconvenient.’
He smiled. ‘Of course not. Come in, lass. Are you going to finally tell me what faded your sparkle?’
Over a cup of tea in the lounge, I told him all about the situation with my family, ending with the awkward encounter at hospital and how I didn’t recognise my cousin anymore. Thomas apologised that he couldn’t offer me any words of advice because the obvious thing to say was to give it time, yet he wasn’t convinced that time was a great healer because it certainly hadn’t helped him come to terms with life without Gwendoline.
I took the cups into the kitchen. There were some pots waiting to be washed from breakfast and lunch so I filled the sink and did the dishes. When I returned to the lounge, Thomas was lightly snoring. I could have left at that point but there was nothing for me to rush home for. Rich and Dave were away so I’d be on my own, stewing.
I looked towards the grubby windows at either end of the lounge. It would certainly keep me occupied. Would Thomas mind? He’d never objected to me washing up and a bit of energetic scrubbing on the downstairs windows could be just what I needed to burn off my frustration.
Thomas nodded as we stood at the far end of the lounge, looking out at the overgrown garden, the meadow beyond it, and the rolling fields and hills beyond that.
‘Well, I never,’ he said. ‘I hadn’t realised they were quite so mucky. Thank you. Can you sort a window cleaner for the rest?’
‘If you’ve got a ladder, I don’t mind doing them. I quite enjoyed it.’
‘I’ve only got an old wooden one and I reckon the rungs will be rotten. Even if they weren’t, there’s no way I’d let you clamber up a ladder to the top floor. Far too high.’ He continued to look out at the garden, then sighed. ‘You know the problem I have now?’
‘What’s that?’
‘I can’t ignore the state of the garden. Do you think you could find me someone to overhaul it? If I’m going to fully appreciate those views, I think that jungle needs to go.’
‘I’ll look into it. One of my landlords, Dave, is a builder. He has loads of friends in different trades. I’m sure he’ll know a gardener.’
‘Thank you.’
‘When it’s done, you could get a bench put outside,’ I suggested. ‘It would be lovely for you to sit there and enjoy the meadow, being close to what you and Gwendoline created.’
‘Aye, Sammie. That’d be nice. Maybe after the garden’s sorted, you can help me pick something out.’
‘I’d like that.’ I glanced at my watch. It was nearly six. ‘I think it’s time I left you in peace.’
‘You’re welcome here anytime. I hope you know that. It’s what Gwendoline always hoped for.’
‘Is it what you want?’ I asked.
‘It is. I’m struggling to remember what life was like without an annoying do-gooder plying me with grapes and feeding my cat.’ He gave me a warm smile and my heart melted.
‘I’ll see you next week. Bye, Misty-Blue.’ I bent down and gave her a quick stroke. ‘Take care, Thomas.’
‘And you. Don’t let that cousin of yours get to you. Remember all the people in your life who love you instead.’
As he waved me goodbye, I couldn’t help wondering if he included himself in that group. Each time I saw him, he seemed more and more like Gramps. That bitter, rough manner had softened no end and I could see more and more of the caring person he clearly was. He had a cheeky sense of humour like Gramps too, and I looked forward to seeing more of it.