Challenges For The Grans’ Club

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It had been almost two weeks since Sally’s devastating discovery during the “Now we are two” party and she still couldn’t get her head round it. Katy, her beloved but headstrong daughter was actually leaving her husband? Those poor children!

“She’ll change her mind, love,” Sally’s husband Duncan had assured her when she’d told him in floods of tears after the guests had gone home. “Maybe they’re just going through a difficult patch.”

However, within a few days, Katy had moved out.

“It’s only until Geoff can find a place of his own, mum. Is it all right if the kids and I stay with you for a bit?”

Once more, this showed a complete lack of thought! Not only was she using the house as a nursery but she and Duncan were also finally having some time to themselves. What had got into her daughter? Still at least it meant that she was there to comfort her grandchildren, especially nine-year-old Annie who was understandably very confused and upset.

“Why can’t everything go back to normal?” she kept saying, sitting on Sally’s knee as though she was a little one again.

Then, one evening, after Sally had came back home from her yoga class, she found out what had really been going on…

The house was quiet apart from the steady tick-tocking of the grandfather clock in the hall. Duncan was out at one of his farming “do’s” and the children must have gone to bed already. Katy had said they were all going to have an early night.

Then Sally heard Katy’s voice. It was coming from the small room next to the dining room which they used as a “study” to store work papers. “I love you too,” Katy was saying. For a minute, Sally’s heart leapt. Her daughter must be talking to Geoff – they must have made up. But then she heard something that made her blood run cold.

“No. I can’t tell anyone yet. They wouldn’t understand… Geoff mustn’t find out, I don’t want to hurt him… Yes – I want to be with you too, Jake, but we have to find the right time… See you tomorrow in the usual place. Got to go now.”

Sally was so shocked that she had to put out her hand to steady herself. Whoops! Now she’d knocked over a vase on the hall table. Ironically, it was the present that Katy and Geoff had bought her during their honeymoon in France all those years ago. Now it lay shattered in pieces all over the floor, just like Sally’s dreams for her family.

“Mum?” asked Katy, coming out of the study. “I didn’t hear you coming in.”

She still had her mobile in her hand and guilt was written all over her face.

“I was just talking to a friend of mine

all was so H C E that she had to put a HA out to TEA Y hersel

from work. She rang to say that –”

“Please,” Sally interrupted as she bent to pick up china fragments. “I heard you talking to someone called Jake. Unless I’m mistaken, that’s a man’s name.”

There was a deathly silence for a minute. Then Katy broke it.

“I know what you’re thinking, so go on – say it. I’m a selfish woman who’s abandoned her husband and broken up the family.” She went on without waiting for a response. “You’re lucky, mum. You and dad are perfect for each other. But the truth is that Geoff and I haven’t been happy for years. We’ve tried to stick together for the sake of the children but when Jake told me how he felt, it was as though I’d found happiness again. He understands me and he makes me laugh! Geoff is so boring and disapproving. He

doesn’t even like it when I go out in the evening with the girls.”

Really? Sally had always thought Geoff was a bit dull but at least he was kind and reliable which was important in today’s day and age.

“I’m not judging you, love,” Sally said. “But I am worried about the children.”

“So am I.” Sally burst into tears. “I don’t know what to do about it. Jake is like a drug! As soon as he came to work for the company, we were drawn to each other. Now I can’t even cope with the day without hearing his voice.” “Mummy? Grannie? What’s happened?” Oh, no! It was Annie in her little white nightdress coming down the stairs.

“It’s OK, sweetie. Silly grannie has just knocked over this vase and your mummy is helping me pick everything up.” “Then why is mummy crying?” “Because I cut myself. Look! It’s sore.” Katy had indeed pierced her skin by mistake with one of the china pieces. Even so, the quick lie took Sally by surprise. What else had she been lying about?

“Why don’t I put you back to bed,” said Sally. “Let’s read the next chapter of your book, shall we?” Then she whispered to her daughter. “Wait for me in the lounge. I’ll be there shortly.”

However, when she came down, the room was empty and there was a note on the table: Havegonetobed.Ineedtoget toworkearly.Dadsaidhe’dtakethe childrentoschool.

Get to work early? No doubt to see this Jake! This was awful. Somehow Sally had to stop her family from falling apart.

Her son and daughter-in-law wanted her to go over to Germany with them! Hannah couldn’t wait to tell Sally. Out of all the grans in their group, they were the closest and Sally had been so good to her when poor Simon died. But Hannah had left two messages over the last few days and still hadn’t had a reply.

Still, the nursery kept her friend very busy nowadays. Hannah loved working there too. The children were so sweet and came out with some real corkers. One little boy always replied with a “whatever” when she asked him to do something. And another kept saying “be sick” which made Hannah think he wasn’t well until the mum explained this meant biscuit! She was going to miss her job…

Meanwhile there was so much to do and so many decisions to make! The manager at the lettings agency had “the perfect family” for her house although they wanted it for a minimum of two years. Maybe she should drop round at Sally’s farm to see what she thought…

Oh, good – there was Sally in the front garden on her hands and knees, weeding one of the borders.

“I’ve got some news and I’ve been bursting to tell you! Didn’t you get my messages on your phone?”

Sally brushed back her hair as she stood up, leaving muddy steaks on her face. “It’s been manic here. Sorry.”

“My son and daughter-in-law want me to go and live with them in Germany!”

Her friend’s eyes lit up. “That’s

wonderful news. I know how much you were going to miss them. I hope you’ve said yes.”

Hannah nodded happily. “I can’t imagine life without little Tom being nearby. I’ve got so used to seeing him every day – dressing him, taking him to the park, feeling his arms around me. We’re all going to live together in one house and be a happy family just like I’d always dreamed of and – Oh, Sally, you’re crying! Whatever’s the matter?”

“Nothing.” Her friend blew her nose. “I’ve got a cold, that’s all and it’s reached my sinuses. Always makes my eyes stream. I just hope I don’t pass it on to the children at the nursery. There’s enough going round as it is.”

“That’s the other thing.” Now Hannah had to struggle to keep her voice even. “I love my job at the nursery. It’s given me a confidence I didn’t have before and I’ve grown really fond of the children. But I also don’t want to let you down by leaving.”

“Don’t worry about it.” Sally said in her brisk Icanmanage voice. “I’ll find someone. When do you plan on going?”

“Actually my son’s new job starts next week. And they want me to go with them to help them with the move.” “So soon?” “I know.” Hannah felt that flicker of panic again in her stomach. Of course she wanted to go with them all but it was still a big move, away from all her friends. “It doesn’t give you much notice, does it?”

“We’ll manage. I’m more worried about you. There’ll be so much to sort out!” Dear Sally, always thinking of others. “I’ve got someone who wants to rent my house but only if they can stay there for two years.”

“I think you should go ahead,” Sally said firmly. “It’ll give you a chance to settle down. Your family needs you. Trust me, I know more about that than I can say.’

She said this with such feeling that Hannah wondered if something was wrong. Maybe Sally’s dad was ill? He wasn’t young, after all. Oh, dear – poor Sally if that was the case. Poor Patty too. She was so happy with him. Still, she mustn’t jump to conclusions. She’d already learned what problems that could bring!

On her way home, Hannah called in at the doctor’s to collect a routine prescription. As she was waiting in line, she started chatting to a woman called Brenda who had just moved in.

“I’ve come down here to help look after my step-grandson,” she said. “But he’s at school now so I’m looking for a little job. I worked in a nursery the last few years. You don’t know of any vacancies, do you?” “Actually, I do!” Hannah gave her Sally’s details before collecting her prescription. She then called the agent to say that she’d accept the prospective tenants, pending references. It was as though it was all meant to be. After that, she went back home to finish packing – along with little Tom’s “help”.

“Just think, poppet,” she said, giving him a cuddle. “This time next week, we’re going to be in another country!”

Patty had felt a terrible shock race through her body when she’d first found the lump. That night, she hadn’t slept a wink, counting the hours until the morning when the surgery was open. The receptionist had been very good, getting her an appointment that day. By then, Patty had convinced herself it was nothing.

But the doctor’s face was grave as she examined her. “I’d like this checked out at the hospital,” she told her. “I’m putting you on the two week urgent list, but try not to worry until we know more.” Of course she did worry! Not that she was going to tell her daughter Rosie and son-inlaw, Clive. They had enough on their plates. The other day, they’d had an argument over the cost of little Arthur’s shoes.

“How can they be so expensive?” Clive had demanded.

“You have to pay for a good fit at his age,” Patty had explained but that had seemed to make things worse.

“I know you mean well, Mum,” Rosie had told her. “But we have to sort out these things on our own. By the way, thanks for helping out so much with childcare. It’s made such a difference. Money will be a bit easier when I get my first pay packet.”

What would they say if they knew she soon might not be well enough to look after her grandson?

However, she couldn’t hide it from Jim, Sally’s father.

“Something’s going on, my lovely. You’ve been really quiet for a few days. Is it me? I’d rather know now than later.”

“Of course it’s not you,” said Patty, flinging her arms around him. “I love you. You know that.” “So what is it, then?” So she took a deep breath and told him about the lump.

“I’m coming with you to the appointment,” he said. “There’s no way I’m letting you go through that on your own.”

The mammogram was uncomfortable but then again, they usually were. To her surprise, Patty was told she’d be seeing the consultant immediately afterwards who would discuss her results.

She was kind but to the point. “There’s a large cyst which needs to be removed. I’m afraid we can’t tell at this stage if it’s malignant or not. We’d like to

annah ade her ECI I and it FELT as though it was EA T to e

take it out as soon as possible.” None of this seemed real! “You’ll have to tell the children,” said Jim as he drove them home. Patty nodded. You could only protect them so far.

“Mum, I’m so sorry.” Her daughter’s face looked like a little girl’s all over again. “Do you think this is because we’ve been working you too hard?”

“Of course not, love. But I’m afraid I might not be able to do those extra hours. How will you do your new job?”

“Don’t you worry about that,” said her son-in-law. “We’ll find a childminder. We’ll find the money somehow. The most important thing is your health, Patty. Now you go and have a rest.” She’d never known him to be so kind to her.

“OK, Gannie,” said little Arthur, tipping out his building bricks onto the floor. That was the wonderful thing about grandchildren. They showed you what really mattered in life.

But it was Jim who really helped her through, especially when he took her out for day trips on the boat. The sea was so calming for the mind.

“I know you asked me not to tell anyone,” he confided. “But I talked to Sally. After all, she is my daughter.”

Yes, but she’ s never been very keen on me, Patty almost said, then she bit her tongue. It didn’t do to fall out. Shocks like this put everything into perspective.

Then to her surprise, Patty received a call from Sally.

“Dad told me about your lump. I know I could say don’t worry but you probably will anyway. I’d just like to say that although I might have been a bit prickly about you dating my dad, you’ve made him really happy. So, well… I’m sorry.”

Patty felt a lump in her throat. “That’s really kind of you.”

“There’s something else I’d like to discuss. I could do with a second opinion. Have you got time for a coffee?”

Anything to distract herself from the operation that had now been fixed for the following week.

Patty had thought Sally was going to discuss her daughter’s marriage which Jim had told her about. So she was really surprised when she found out why Sally really wanted to chat… “What do you think of Brenda?” This was the woman who had joined their grannie group and was now working as a helper at the nursery. “I like her. Why?” Sally looked worried.

“Because I employed her before both references came through. I was desperate and the first one was glowing. However, the second has come back with Not Known at This Address. And the other day, I heard Brenda tell one of the mothers that she was “a bit out of practice” in looking after children.’

“But she moved down here to look after her step-grandson. I know he’s no longer a toddler but she lives with her second husband’s family. At least, that’s what I heard.”

“Exactly. But have you ever seen her in town with them?” No, she hadn’t. “The thing is,” continued Sally. “I wondered if you’d mind calling round on her unexpectedly. If I did it, it might look like I’m being nosy because I’m her boss. Just to see what you can find out.”

Why not, thought Patty. A bit of sleuthing might take her mind off the op. In fact, she’d do it that day.

Brenda lived in one of the new bungalows on the hill overlooking the sea. The garden was tidy and the front door freshly painted. There were no children’s wellington boots or trainers in the porch and no sign of outdoor toys. The doorbell had a jangly sound but it took a while before the door was answered.

“Hi,” said Patty brightly. “I was just passing so thought I’d pop round. You don’t mind, do you?”

Brenda was wearing baggy tracksuit bottoms, very different from her usual smart self. “Well actually, I was just about to go out.”

Patty had almost expected this. “Of course. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t impose.” She made to go but then turned back. “Look, I know this is an awful cheek but do you mind if I use your loo?” Brenda had no option but to let her in. Just as she thought! There was no evidence of a small boy’s things and it was all extremely tidy for a family home. But as Brenda showed her where the loo was, Patty spotted a photograph of a cheeky looking boy in school uniform.

“Is that your step-grandson?” she asked. “Isn’t he sweet? You live with him, don’t you?”

To her surprise, Brenda’s eyes went hard and angry. “Just leave, would you?” she demanded harshly. “Now.”