Easter surprise

When Lisa was ill, an unlikely hero was there to help¼

You said all things happen for a reason and that reason would become clear, given time.Õ

Lisa woke with a start and buried her head under her clammy duvet as her phone screeched at her. Go away,' she groaned.

For the first time in her life, she didn' t care if she lived or died.

At first when she came down with flu, she thought it would be over in a day. Others had been off work with it and had come back weak and washed out and she' d thought they were milking it.

The Easter eggs were hidden, but as always she' d left the big food shop until the last minute.

She didn' t even have the strength to do an online shop and even if she did, she' d never get a delivery slot at such a late stage.

For two days she' d been confined to her bed, crawling out of it to go to the loo or fill a jug with water.

She' d have burst into tears if she had the strength. When she started to feel better, she' d call her son and tell him he' d have to make other arrangements. She was sure he and Katrine could sort something out.

They might even decide to stay in Aarhus and spend Easter there with their friends. Or perhaps they' d go to Copenhagen to be with Katrine' s family.

Lisa thought about Adam' s call late last September.

Is it all right if I bring someone home to meet you for Christmas, Mum?'

Her breath had caught as her heartbeat quickened. Did it mean the hurt his exgirlfriend had inflicted on him had finally healed?

Someone special?' she' d whispered.

She is special, Mum,' he said. I fell in love with Katrine at first sight. You' ll adore her.' Have you known her long?' We met at the start of summer,' he said. But I didn' t mention her before because I know how you worry, especially after¼'

He still couldn' t bring himself to mention her name. Grace, the girl who broke his heart.

You' ll meet her when you come over for my birthday in October,' he went on.

But she hadn' t. October had been the month of the stomach virus that spread round work like, well, a virus!

It hadn' t been as bad as the flu however, it meant she couldn' t travel.

He' d flown home in

November to spend some leave with her, but Katrine wasn' t able to get the time off work, so she said.

Maybe she was like Grace, who avoided Lisa whenever she could.

They were supposed to spend Christmas together, but Katrine came down with flu, Lisa thought bitterly.

Adam stayed in Aarhus to look after her and Lisa spent Christmas alone.

If things hadn' t turned out the way they did, I would never have put in for that transfer to our Danish office and I wouldn' t have met the love of my life,' he told Lisa when he called to wish her a happy Christmas. You said all things happen for a reason and that reason would become clear, given time.'

She had indeed, but she' d hoped he' d return one day when his heart had healed.

She fell asleep and woke

with a dry mouth. Thank goodness she lived in a bungalow. If she had to go downstairs for water, she' d have died of thirst by now.

Her legs shook as she made her way to the kitchen and filled the jug with water. She swallowed a couple of pills and began the slow trek back to bed. Who' d have thought a jug of water would weigh so much.

Back in bed, she picked up her phone for the first time in two days and blinked at the screen. The date was wrong! It had to be. There was no way it could be Easter Saturday. That would mean she' d spent four days in bed.

Time had passed in a blur of sleep and wakefulness and difficult trips to the kitchen or loo.

She stood up too quickly and the room spun so she slumped back on the bed defeated.

I' m feeling better,' she said. I must be.'

This was the first time in days she' d even felt like looking at her phone.

The phone shrieked and she nearly dropped it.

Hi, Mum,' Adam said. Are you OK? I assumed you' d left your phone in the car when you weren' t answering.' He laughed, knowing her so well. Thing is, we' ve had a bit of a crisis at work.'

Sorry to hear that, love,' she said.

I' m really sorry about all this, but I will be there tomorrow,' he promised.

I' ve managed to get a flight in the morning.'

You don' t have to come,' she said.

What? Of course I' m coming,' he said. I missed Christmas with you, I' m not missing Easter, too.'

She shook her head and tried to clear her thoughts. It felt as if her brain had turned to jelly.

`Anyway, Katrine should be with you any time now. We couldn' t both get a flight tomorrow, so she said she' d come on ahead on our original ticket and you could spend some time getting to know each other.'

Katrine' s on her way here?' Lisa whispered. Now?'

I know you' ll look after her. Love you, Mum.'

As the call ended, the doorbell rang.

Lisa was horrified. She' d been in bed for days and hadn' t had a wash or brushed her teeth. Katrine was going to walk right into a nightmare.

She stumbled towards the front door, catching sight of herself in the mirror. Her hair was almost standing on end as if she' d stuck her finger in an electric socket.

A tall, elegant young woman with thick blonde hair swept back in a ponytail stood on the doorstep.

You must be Lisa,' she said. I am Katrine. I am so pleased to meet you. Adam said he' d call you and explain what had happened.'

Yes,' Lisa croaked, hoping her legs wouldn' t suddenly give way and deposit her at Katrine' s feet. Please come in. I' ll get you a drink.'

Katrine followed her inside. Please, don' t go to any trouble,' she said. I can make a drink for us both.'

Lisa staggered into the kitchen and slumped on a chair. She really was getting better. She couldn' t have done all this yesterday. All

this! She laughed slightly hysterically.

Katrine looked at the medicine box open on the kitchen table beside an empty strip of pills.

You are ill?' she said.

I don' t normally slob about in my pyjamas in the middle of the day,' Lisa said. It' s just a cold.'

The back of Katrine' s cool, elegant hand touched Lisa' s forehead.

You feel feverish. How long have you been like this? Why didn' t you tell Adam?'

I' m so sorry,' Lisa said, her chin trembling. I wanted Easter to be perfect and now I' ve messed it up. Go back to Denmark while you can. I' m sure you' d get a flight.' Katrine went into the hall. Where do you keep your bed linen, Lisa?' she called out.

Airing cupboard,' Lisa replied. But you don' t have to make up a bed. I don' t want you to stay.'

She stood up and sat straight back down again.

She felt so weak and useless. Please just go, Katrine.'

I' m not going anywhere,' Katrine said, poking her head round the door. It was a nightmare getting here. It seems everyone wants to travel at Easter.'

Oh, pardon me for being an inconvenience,' Lisa huffed under her breath.

She rested her head on the table and dozed as Katrine clattered about the bungalow, then she felt a hand on her arm.

I have run you a bath,' Katrine said. Safer than a shower for you, I think.'

Do I smell?' Lisa asked. A little. Don' t lock the door and if you need any help, shout out.'

I won' t,' Lisa muttered. It was nice to get in the bath, but it took her ages to summon the strength to haul herself out of it.

She stepped on the scales and laughed hollowly. Eight pounds lost. Every cloud¼ and all that.

Katrine had left clean pyjamas for her on the radiator. So she' d been through her drawers. She shuddered. Not only was she bossy, she was nosy too.

And when she emerged from the bathroom, Katrine was waiting.

You can hold my arm,' she said. You must be tired out.' Sarcastic!

The bed had been changed and the washing machine was churning.

You don' t have to do this,' Lisa said, clenching her teeth. I' m perfectly capable.' Of course you are.' Sarcastic again! Hm, she didn' t like Katrine very much. Coming into her house, taking over. No doubt she' d tell Adam what a dead loss his mother was and how she' d told Katrine to get out.

Grace had come between them like that. She' d been like slow poison and Adam had stopped speaking to her for a while because of something Grace claimed

Lisa had said, yet she' d never been rude to Grace the way she had to Katrine.

Some toast and fruit juice,' Katrine said. No, thank you.' I wasn' t asking. You will eat something. You must start building your strength up.'

So I can cook Easter lunch?' Lisa muttered. I' m not hungry.'

Katrine brought her toast and fruit juice in bed.

Your milk has gone off,' she announced. And the bread will go green if it' s left another day. I will go shopping. Where is the best shop, please?'

It' ll be busy. You don' t have a car,' Lisa protested. Just go home, please, Katrine. I don' t want you here.'

Too bad,' Katrine said. I will find the shop myself.'

Don' t come

back!' Lisa shouted as the front door slammed.

She burst into tears after Katrine had gone, then nibbled the toast and drank the juice. It was surprisingly welcome and her stomach gurgled in delight at the unexpected arrival of food. And then she slept.

She woke with Katrine standing beside the bed. So she' d come back.

I' ve made soup,' she said. She helped Lisa sit up and plumped up her pillows.

I also got you some medicine and energy drinks.'

I don' t need any energy,' Lisa yawned. But I have to get up and go shopping. I' ve nothing in for tomorrow yet.'

Don' t worry about that now,' Katrine said briskly.

But it' s Easter Sunday tomorrow.'

It is Easter Sunday today,' Katrine said. You slept all through the night. It was the toast. It settled you.'

Katrine came back with soup and bread and butter.

Soup for breakfast,' Lisa grumbled.

But the soup was delicious and the bread was fresh.

She would have enjoyed it if it wasn' t for Katrine buzzing round the bungalow like a home help on a skateboard.

Lisa got out of bed and broke into a sweat from the effort of getting dressed.

What are you doing?' Katrine demanded.

I have to make lunch.'

You have to rest. Sit down and watch television. Adam will be here soon.'

Adam. Lisa felt like crying again. Katrine would tell him how horrible Lisa had been to her and they' d both leave.

She sat down in front of the TV and a drink appeared at her side. What' s that smell?'

Easter lunch,' Katrine said. Doesn' t smell like my Easter lunch,' Lisa said.

That' s because it' s my Easter lunch,' Katrine replied.

Adam came in later and dumped his bag in the hall.

Mum! How are you?' he said, hugging her.

She is sick,' Katrine said. I' m fine,' Lisa insisted. You should go back to Denmark. I don' t need you here.'

OK,' Adam said. We will. But let' s have lunch first.'

Lisa' s stomach growled. She was starving.

Katrine went off to the kitchen and Adam sat down beside Lisa.

What do you think? She' s wonderful isn' t she?'

She' s all right,' Lisa shrugged.

Just all right?'

She loves me really,' Katrine said, bringing in coffee. And she winked at Lisa.

Lisa huffed. She' d never liked pushy people.

When lunch was ready, her mouth watered at the delicious smells.

It looks great,' Adam said. Doesn' t it, Mum?'

Lisa looked at her plate. I have kept it simple because you have been unwell,' Katrine said.

The salmon, sweet potatoes and roasted vegetables didn' t look very simple.

Adam grinned at her.

You' ll love it, but leave room for pudding.'

The food was delightful, then Katrine got the pudding out of the fridge.

What' s that?' Lisa asked. Risalamande,' Katrine said. Cold rice pudding.'

Humph!' Lisa liked her rice pudding hot with a blob of jam.

Mustn' t forget the hot cherry sauce,' Katrine smiled. Lisa turned up her nose. I thought as we missed Christmas together, I' d make a little Danish Christmas tradition,' Katrine said.

Wait till you try it, Mum,' Adam said.

They both watched eagerly as she took her first mouthful. Her eyes widened. The hot sauce was wonderful and there were chopped almonds throughout the creamy dish.

Adam and Katrine looked at each other and Lisa' s heart jumped. She' d never seen him look at Grace like that.

As she finished her dish, Lisa found a whole almond.

You win, Lisa! Whoever finds the whole almond wins the prize,' Katrine said, producing a small gift-wrapped box.

Lisa opened it and found a little gnome inside with a long white beard and a big red hat.

He is a Nisse,' Katrine explained quickly. He will take care of you and your home. Like an elf, I think. I was going to give him to you at Christmas. Perhaps if I had, you wouldn' t have got ill.'

For the first time, Katrine looked unsure of herself.

Lisa felt suddenly overwhelmed. Katrine wasn' t bossy or pushy, she was just a lovely young woman who had come into Adam' s life at just the right time and Lisa had treated her like an intruder.

I love him,' Lisa said. And tomorrow, I' ll cook lunch.'

I know you will,' Adam said. I wouldn' t miss your Easter roast for the world. Katrine found your list and got all the shopping. But we' ll help.'

I feel well now. But I' ll take your help. It' s what families do, isn' t it. Welcome to the family, Katrine,' Lisa said as she grasped both their hands. I' m sorry I' ve behaved so badly, you' ve been so kind.'

I knew it wasn' t the real you,' Katrine said. I knew the woman who had raised such a wonderful son would be pretty wonderful herself.'

Lisa burst into tears, alarming Adam and Katrine, but they were happy tears.

Easter was all about new beginnings and what a fabulous beginning this was.

You have to rest. Sit down and watch television. Adam will be here soon.Ô