Battles Lost and Won (25 page)

‘I’m earning enough to pay the rent,’ Eddie said, looking at Alf. ‘And you are buying us groceries each week. Now we don’t need to pay for the doctor or medicines we are managing – just.’

‘But now you have me to feed as well.’ Bob strode into the scullery and put some coins on the table. ‘I’ll contribute each week for as long as I can.’

‘You can’t do that!’ Eddie protested. ‘You are looking after Dad, and it’s only right we should feed you.’

‘Eddie, there’s a long struggle in front of us, with no guarantees that Steve is going to make a complete recovery, so we’ve all got to help out.’

‘You’re right, of course.’ Eddie pushed the coins towards his sister. ‘Buy what we need at the market tomorrow, Ruthie.’

When Ruth put the money in her purse, Bob was satisfied.

‘How’s Dad today?’ she asked.

‘Resting peacefully. But I’m about to disturb him. Help me get the bath ready, Dad, and when he’s warm and relaxed I’ll have another go at his back.’

Ruth touched Bob’s arm and whispered, ‘I’m sorry.’

He bent and kissed the top of her head to show his acceptance of her apology. ‘Thanks, Ruthie.’

The two youngsters were in the front room stuffing toys for the stall, but everyone else pitched in to help get the bath ready. Daisy wandered into the bedroom and Bob was pleased to see her looking calmer, and hoped she would continue to improve. They would really be in trouble if she collapsed, and he made sure he was always cheerful and confident when she was around.

The bath was filled and Bob ushered everyone out of the room, except Alf, who watched intently the way his son handled Steve, and was fascinated to see the long-fingered hands moving over his back and legs. The boy was good, and he sent a prayer of hope that his friend could be helped.

By the time Steve was back in bed and resting again, they began the trek up and down the stairs to empty the bath and put it away again in the outhouse.

Bob sniffed the air and smiled. ‘Smells like something’s cooking, and I’m starving.’

‘You haven’t changed then – you always were!’ Alf laughed.

The next morning Bob found himself alone with Daisy. Alf had gone to work, so had Eddie and Ruth, and the kids were at school. She was looking more rested, but tension still radiated from her, and he didn’t like the withdrawn look in her eyes. That worried him because it hadn’t been there yesterday.

‘Steve’s looking better,’ she said, trying to smile, but her bottom lip trembled.

‘He’s more comfortable.’

‘I wanted to get the help and medicines he needed,’ she blurted out, ‘but he wouldn’t let me. He said if I brought anyone in he would refuse to let them touch him, and he didn’t need the pills any more. But I know he does . . .’

Making her sit down, he stooped in front of her and gripped her hands. ‘He knew you couldn’t afford it. He was thinking of you and the kids.’

‘We’d have found the money somehow.’ She held tightly to Bob’s hands.

‘You don’t need to worry about the pills because I’ve bought those for him, and I’m going to help as much as I can. I know it’s hard, but I want you to stop fretting because it won’t do Steve any good to see you in such a state. Ruth, Eddie and Dad will see we don’t starve, and I’m asking you to trust me.’

‘I do . . .’

‘No you don’t. You look at me and see that kid who resented living the way we do, and who had big ideas about changing things.’

She gazed at him with a stricken expression. ‘I’m trying, Bob, and I know they’re all saying you know what you’re doing, but how . . .? I don’t understand . . . I don’t know what to do. What’s going to happen to us?’

Bob hauled her to her feet and wrapped his arms around her. This is just what he had feared would happen. ‘Shush, Daisy, take deep breaths – that’s the way. We are going to win this battle. A kind lady told me that nothing is impossible, and you must believe that. Don’t let hope die.’

As he comforted and calmed her, an idea came to him. It might be the way to help her trust him with her darling husband, the man she had prayed for all through the war, only to have this happen to him when she had believed him to be safe.

‘What’s the matter?’ Ruth rushed in and tried to get her near hysterical mum away from Bob. ‘Is Dad all right?’

‘He’s fine.’ Bob spoke quietly, and allowed Daisy to go to her daughter for comfort. ‘She has finally broken down, Ruth. I’ll put the kettle on for a strong, sweet cup of tea.’

It took nearly an hour, and several cups of strong tea before Daisy was coherent again. Bob urged Ruth out of the back door so they could talk in private. ‘Your mum doesn’t really trust me; though she’s grabbed at any chance to help Steve. She needs to be convinced that her husband is safe with me, and there’s only one way I can give her that assurance. Can you stay here for the rest of the day? I want to take her to where I worked.’

‘Can I come too?’ she pleaded. ‘Eddie’s got a half-day off and will be home soon. He’ll stay here, and Mrs Law is looking after the stall for me.’

He thought for a moment, and then agreed. After all, Ruth had apologized to him, but he doubted that she trusted him either, and it might calm Daisy to have her daughter with her. ‘Get her ready and we’ll go as soon as Eddie gets here.’

No sooner had he said Eddie’s name before he appeared round the side of the house. After explaining what had happened, he readily agreed to stay with Steve until they got back.

‘We’ll be as quick as we can,’ Bob told him. ‘I’ve given him a tough session today so he’ll probably sleep most of the time.’

‘That’s all right. I know how to look after him.’ He looked anxiously at his mum. ‘You go.’

A train was just pulling into the station when they got there, and Bob was glad they didn’t have to wait. Daisy was quiet now, but her mental state was fragile, and he wasn’t sure he was doing the right thing. But something had to be done for her, and he couldn’t see any other way. If she could see that he could be trusted not to harm her husband then she might relax more.

It was a pleasant day and Daisy seemed to enjoy the walk up the hill. Before going to the home, he took her to see the view of the river.

‘This is nice.’ Daisy spoke for the first time. ‘But what are we doing here? I should be with Steve.’

‘Eddie is looking after him.’ Bob turned her to face him. ‘I’m going to show you where I worked.’

‘Oh.’ She gazed around, distracted. ‘Mustn’t be long. Got to get back home.’

‘We’ll be quick, I promise.’ Placing a guiding arm around her shoulder they continued walking.

As soon as they stepped inside the door someone shouted, ‘Bob, where the blazes do you think you’ve been? Roll up your sleeves, there’s work to be done!’

He grinned at the man in the wheelchair. ‘Hello, Stan, missed me, have you?’

‘Now why would we do that, you great hulking brute?’ Stan propelled himself over, a broad smile on his face. ‘I see you’ve still got the pretty girls flocking around you.’

‘Of course. This is Mrs Cooper and her daughter, Ruth. Ladies, meet Stan.’

‘Nice to meet you.’ He turned his attention back to Bob. ‘How long you staying?’

‘This is just a quick visit.’

‘Ah, shame, but come and say hello to the men. They’ll be pleased to see you.’

Bob promised and he went on his way giving them all a cheery wave. ‘Bye, ladies, and don’t believe a word he tells you.’

‘Bob, how lovely to see you. Will you introduce me to your friends?’

‘Hello, Sister.’ As he introduced Daisy and Ruth to Sister Headley, he could see she had already spotted what the trouble was with Daisy.

‘And you’ve come to have a look round, have you?’

Ruth was clearly uncomfortable. ‘Bob thought it might help Mum.’

‘I’m sure it will. Both of you come with me while Bob goes to see everyone. We all miss him very much.’

‘He’s a good boy.’ Daisy was beginning to look a little more alert. ‘But I’m not sure he can look after my husband . . . It’s very worrying . . . you know?’

‘Indeed I do.’ Mary smiled gently at mother and daughter. ‘But you need have no concerns about Bob’s capabilities. Come, let us walk around and you will see that the men like, respect and trust Bob, as I do.’

Mary turned and smiled at Bob as she led them away, then he hurried off to visit some of the men he had come to know so well while he had worked here.

The journey home was quiet. Daisy was so worn out she was sleeping with her head on Bob’s shoulder, and Ruth didn’t know what to say. She was thoroughly ashamed of the way she had reacted to his return. She had acted like a silly child, and he must despise her now. Walking around the house, seeing him joking with the men, showed her that he had left a job he loved to come and help them. And she was positive he wouldn’t have taken them there if her mum hadn’t broken down. The Sister had praised him and his skills, saying that they hoped to have him back with them one day so he could continue with his training as a physiotherapist. That place was special to him; she had seen it in his eyes, and also the flash of regret when they had left.

They reached home and Daisy was put to bed at once, then Bob went straight up to Steve, relieving Eddie.

‘How’s Mum?’ he asked anxiously as soon as he saw his sister.

‘Calmer now, but we’ve got to see she has plenty of rest. That was frightening, Eddie. Mum’s always seemed so strong, but this is more than she can handle.’

‘We’ll take good care of her. Did the visit to the home help?’

Ruth nodded, tears filling her eyes. ‘It helped both of us. It has been hard to imagine that Bob knew how to look after Dad, but he does, and after what we’ve seen and been told about him, we can be grateful he’s with us.’

‘Good.’ Eddie placed an arm around his sister. ‘One invalid in the house is enough, Ruthie, so you hold in there. We all need you to be strong.’

‘I know.’ She wiped the tears away.

‘Let’s hope Mum’ll be all right now. I thought she trusted Bob right from the start, but deep down she must have had doubts about him.’ He looked intently at Ruth. ‘Just like you did.’

She nodded. ‘When he arrived back it was like looking at a stranger. But I don’t have any doubts about him now. I watched him dealing with Mum, and everyone we saw today spoke very highly of him.’

‘He’s always been like another brother to us, but he’s grown-up now. And don’t forget that we haven’t seen him for a long time, so of course he’s changed. I expect he thinks the same about us. But now you’ve told me all this I feel much more confident that everything is going to be all right. We mustn’t give up hope, Ruthie.’

They stopped talking when they heard Bob coming down the stairs.

‘How is she?’ he asked Ruth, as soon as he walked into the scullery.

‘She’s fast asleep.’

‘Good, that’s what she needs, but keep an eye on her, please.’

‘I will.’ Ruth took a deep breath, her nervousness showing. ‘Thank you for what you did today. We wouldn’t have known what to do. It was frightening to see Mum in such a state.’

He inclined his head in acknowledgement, slipped out of his jacket and began to roll up his sleeves.

Eddie was immediately on his feet. ‘Oh, are you going to work on Dad’s back? Can I help you, please? I won’t get in the way, but I’d love to see what you do.’

‘All right, but you mustn’t talk. I want Steve to relax.’

‘Promise.’

‘Come on, then.’

The back door burst open and John and Sally tumbled in from school. Ruth shot to her feet. ‘Oh my goodness, is that the time? She hastily cut them a slice of bread each and grabbed jam out of the pantry. ‘There, that will keep you going while I get supper ready.’

‘Where is everyone?’ Sally asked. ‘And why aren’t you at the market, Ruthie?’

‘I’ve been out with Mum so Mrs Law has looked after the stall for me. Eddie’s upstairs, and Mum’s taking a nap.’

‘That leaves us to do the cooking.’ John finished the last of his bread. ‘What do you want me to do?’

She opened her purse and handed him some coins. ‘I want you to run to the butcher’s and get me as much mincemeat as that will buy. It’s nearly closing time so he’ll be selling some meat off cheap. Give him your best smile, John. We’ve got vegetables so I’ll make a shepherds pie.’

‘Lovely!’ John disappeared through the door with Sally tearing after him.

‘Do those two ever walk anywhere?’ Eddie grinned as he came into the scullery.

‘I don’t think so. How’s Dad?’

‘Asleep now, and he does look a lot better. He has a better colour in his face and is more relaxed. He still can’t move his legs, but Bob’s working on those.’

Ruth frowned. ‘The longer this goes on the harder it is to believe he’s going to recover completely.’

‘What did we say a while ago? We mustn’t give up hope. We’ve just got to do the best we can, and whatever worries we have must be kept hidden, because our family needs us, Ruthie.’

‘That’s all any of us can do.’ Bob strode into the room, peered in the teapot and poured himself a cup of tea.

‘That’s stewed.’ Ruth began to fill the kettle. ‘I’ll make you a fresh pot.’

‘This will do just fine.’ Bob thirstily drained the cup. ‘Let me know when supper’s ready and I’ll bring Steve down. I want Daisy at the table as well or Steve will start to worry.’

‘Suppose she doesn’t want to get up?’ Ruth’s voice shook slightly.

Bob studied her for a moment, noting how shaken she was by her mother’s breakdown. ‘Then you call me and I’ll talk to her.’

‘I’ll do that.’ She put the kettle down with a thump and bowed her head. ‘I’m sorry for being so useless, but now Mum’s sick as well, I’m frightened. We are putting a great strain on you, and it isn’t fair.’

He turned her to face him and tilted her head up so she could look at him. ‘I know this is frightening, but these bad times will pass. If there’s anything you can’t cope with you come straight to me. My shoulders are broad enough to take the load.’

Eddie laughed and Ruth managed a faint smile.

‘That’s better. Let’s take it one day at a time and we’ll get through this.’

The back door swung open and the two youngsters ran in with huge smiles on their faces. They were both holding packets. ‘Look what the butcher gave us!’ John put his packet on the table and made his sister do the same. ‘We’ve got loads of mince and he gave us a ham bone to make soup, and some lamb scraps he said would do for a pie. And we’ve still got two pennies left,’ he declared proudly.