Chapter Fourteen
Mandy glanced at the clock on her dashboard. There should be just enough time, she thought. She was on her way to visit Robbie Grimshaw. It would be the first time she had seen him since that awful day in the summer when she had helped the police to disarm the confused old man.
Mandy had left Sky behind with her parents. She had a feeling Robbie would enjoy seeing Sky at some point, but she needed to check it was okay to bring a dog into the home. And that Robbie was mentally clear enough to understand that he couldn’t keep Sky with him. Mandy’s heart skipped. She couldn’t imagine the pain of having to give up your beloved animals because you were too old to care for them. Poor Robbie.
The Rowans turned out to be an impressive double-fronted Victorian house, set back from the road in its own grounds. There were extensive lawns to the front, dotted with evergreen trees and bushes. An elderly lady, well wrapped up, was walking on a pathway between the trees, using a zimmer frame to steady herself. Beside her, a nurse in pastel trousers topped by a padded jacket and hat hovered attentively.
Outside the front door, in a covered porch, a smartly dressed man in a wheelchair seemed to be enjoying the winter sunshine. He nodded to Mandy as she approached. ‘Nice day for December,’ he remarked.
‘It’s lovely,’ Mandy agreed.
The front door was closed so Mandy rang the buzzer. The door was made of white-painted wood with a large window of textured glass. On the far side, she could see a graceful arched hallway.
An auxiliary, dressed in a uniform the same colour as the nurse’s trousers, came and opened the door. A wave of warm air hit Mandy accompanied by the unmistakeable smell of overboiled cabbage, but the auxiliary’s smile was welcoming. A name badge showed her name was Linda. ‘Can I help you?’ she asked, pulling the door wide to let Mandy inside.
‘I’m Mandy Hope. I’ve come to see Robbie Grimshaw, if that’s possible,’ Mandy said.
From an open doorway on the right, she heard a sudden wail, which rose to a crescendo, then fell to a quiet sobbing. ‘It’s okay, Mrs Outhwaite,’ came a voice. ‘I can pick it up for you. Here you go.’ A shuffling sound, then the voice again. ‘It’ll be fine now.’ After a few moments, the sobbing stopped.
‘Robbie Grimshaw?’ The auxiliary regarded her with a smile. ‘Of course you can see him. He can be a bit confused sometimes, but he’s very gentle and loves watching the birds outside his window. He’s got a visitor already today. His nephew comes quite often. I’m sure he won’t mind if you join them.’
Mandy was relieved to hear that Mr Grimshaw had found some kind of peace here. He had seemed so hostile and terrified when she had seen him in the summer. Not only that, but there was a nephew visiting. Mandy hadn’t realised he had family nearby. He had seemed so alone.
With directions from the auxiliary, Mandy found her way up a broad staircase and along a wide corridor to Robbie’s room. It was a beautiful building, and well maintained. The walls were freshly painted in warm colours and the carpet looked brand new. Through an open doorway, she caught sight of another auxiliary seemingly deep in conversation with one of the residents.
She stepped through the open door of Mr Grimshaw’s room. It too was thoughtfully decorated in a soothing shade of green. A door in one corner was ajar to reveal an en-suite bathroom. The room itself was spacious and airy, with a double bed in the centre and a large window overlooking the front garden. Two armchairs stood by the window, each with an occupant. In one sat Robbie Grimshaw himself. Mandy was pleased to see he was neatly dressed in trousers and a long-sleeved polo shirt. A young man sat opposite. He was tall and thin with dark hair, and was so engrossed in his phone that he didn’t look up when Mandy entered.
‘Hello,’ Mandy said.
Hearing her voice, the young man lifted his head with a sharp intake of breath. He had the most brilliant blue eyes she had ever seen. They were huge and striking, rimmed with lashes so dark he might have been wearing eye-liner. If Mandy had hoped to avoid startling him, she failed spectacularly. The expression on his face mirrored that of a fox caught raiding a bin. He launched himself out of the chair, then paused just long enough to reach down and squeeze Mr Grimshaw’s hand. ‘I have to go now, Uncle Bob,’ he muttered.
‘It’s fine,’ Mandy said. ‘You don’t have to. I could get another chair,’ she suggested, giving him what she hoped was a reassuring smile. He must be terribly shy, she thought.
But the young man shook his head. ‘I have to go,’ he said again. He glanced down at the phone, gripped in his long pale fingers. ‘Goodbye,’ he said, and with a nod of his head, he strode out of the room.
Mandy looked after him, feeling rather sorry. She was delighted that Robbie had someone to visit him, and she wished she hadn’t scared him away. She would have liked to speak to a member of Robbie’s family and tell them how honoured she was to be the new owner of Lamb’s Wood Cottage.
Robbie didn’t seem to notice that he had lost one visitor and gained another. He was gazing out of the window as if his head was filled with peaceful thoughts. Mandy felt a pang as she looked at his tidy hair and realised that it had been combed in a different direction than the one she remembered. She told herself that Robbie was being well cared for, which was all that mattered.
‘Hello, Mr Grimshaw,’ Mandy said. She might as well sit down in the seat Robbie’s nephew had vacated, she thought. The old man still seemed oblivious to her presence. Mandy followed his gaze through the window. Beyond the grassy garden, there were glimpses of other large houses among well-maintained trees. The roofs of Walton stretched away as the land started to slope up, and behind them, in the distance, the fells were visible. Was Mr Grimshaw remembering long ago days when the dales were his playground, Mandy wondered?
‘Can you see Norland Fell from here?’ she asked out loud. There was no reply. Moving her chair a little, she spotted the long ridge that topped the high moor. ‘I can’t quite see High Cross Farm,’ she went on, ‘but I passed by a couple of days ago.’
High Cross was where Mr Grimshaw had helped Mandy and James with some rabbits many years ago. ‘Remember you went there with your ferrets?’ she prompted.
For the first time, Robbie reacted. ‘Kirsty?’ he said, turning with wide eyes to look at her.
‘That’s right. Kirsty,’ Mandy echoed. She pictured Robbie cradling his favourite creature, Kirsty’s beady eyes fixed on his.
The old man gazed at Mandy, his head on one side. ‘Who are you?’ he said and then, ‘Where’s Kirsty?’ He stretched his hand towards Mandy. Reaching out her own, she grasped it. It felt as brittle as a bird and the thin skin was flecked with age spots, but the old man’s grip was surprisingly firm.
‘Kirsty is safe,’ Mandy assured him. It was sort of true, she thought. Kirsty was long past any harm. ‘All your animals are safe,’ she said. ‘The cows and the sheep, your lovely Shire horse. Your dog Shy.’ She used the original name that Robbie had given her beloved dog.
‘Shy?’ There was a look on Mr Grimshaw’s face as if he was trying to remember and he squeezed Mandy’s hand. For a moment, she thought he was going to say something else, but his shoulders dropped and the pressure on her hand faded. ‘Kirsty,’ he said again, just as the auxiliary Mandy had spoken to earlier bustled into the room.
‘Who’s Kirsty?’ the woman asked Mr Grimshaw, but the old man made no sign of answering. ‘She was one of Mr Grimshaw’s ferrets years ago,’ Mandy explained to the woman. ‘He used to have a smallholding.’
‘Oh.’ Linda’s eyes were compassionate as she looked from Mandy to the old man. ‘It’s lovely that you’ve brought back some happy memories for him.’ If Robbie Grimshaw was following the conversation, he showed no sign. ‘And I’m sorry, Mandy, but Mr Grimshaw has an appointment with the physiotherapist in five minutes. I came to get him ready.’
‘No problem,’ Mandy replied. She glanced at her watch. It was nearly time for afternoon surgery. She rested her hand on top of Robbie Grimshaw’s. ‘I’ll come back another day,’ she promised, but the old man was looking out of the window again and did not respond.
‘It was nice of you to come,’ Linda told her. ‘I’m glad you and he had a chance to talk about his animals and it would be lovely to see you back again.’
Mandy managed a smile. It was impossible to tell whether her visit had been good for Robbie. The feeling of melancholy that had threatened on the way intensified as she walked back down the stairs. Lovely as it was here, she was sure Robbie must miss the animals and the space he’d been used to all his life. Mandy recalled the young man she had disturbed. At least Robbie had someone who loved him enough to visit. Mandy made a mental note to come again soon, this time with Sky. Perhaps they could take her for a walk in the garden, and remind Robbie of old, happy times. Maybe some of the other residents would like to be introduced to some of the rescues. She knew there were many homes where dogs were encouraged to visit. Next time, she would try to find out whether the Rowans ran such a scheme. The more Hope Meadows could do to become a positive presence in the local community, the better it would be.
‘Do you have anything planned for tonight?’ Adam asked Mandy as they were clearing the dinner table.
For once, Mandy didn’t have to rush back to the rescue centre to finish her chores. Nicole had visited for the first time that afternoon and proved to be a quick learner, as well as willing to tackle the least glamorous tasks. She had single-handedly cleaned out the rabbits and guinea pigs, and then helped Mandy with some donkey handling before grooming the cats. Like Mandy’s dad, Nicole had been very taken with Tango, and had gone back several times to give him an extra cuddle.
Mandy slotted the last of the plates into the dishwasher. ‘No plans at all,’ she said. ‘Why?’
Adam walked over to the stereo in the corner and slipped his mobile into the socket that connected his smartphone to the speakers. ‘We’re going to write Christmas cards,’ he said. ‘Since you’re a member of the practice now, we thought you should join us.’
Mandy smiled. ‘It would be an honour! Shall I put the kettle on?’
Adam was fiddling with the smartphone. The pure sound of a chorister’s voice came through the speakers. ‘Once in royal David’s city …’
Adam turned to look at Mandy. ‘I have something better here,’ he said with a wink. Opening a cupboard, he pulled out a bottle and showed it to Mandy. ‘An early present from Mrs Anthony,’ he explained. Mrs Anthony was one of their regular clients, who had a garden full of treasured rabbits.
‘Murgatroyd’s Mulled Wine.’ Mandy read out the name on the side of the bottle.
‘I’m on call tonight,’ Emily announced. ‘None for me, I’m afraid.’
Adam was grinning at Mandy. ‘Just us then,’ he said. ‘Oh and …’ he held up a finger. ‘Wait here.’ He rushed out of the kitchen, reappearing shortly wearing a headband with a pair of red plastic antlers. Looking pleased with himself, he reached up and pressed a tiny switch. The antlers began to flash and a tinny rendition of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer competed with the choir on the stereo.
Mandy shook her head. Her dad always threw himself wholeheartedly into the festivities at this time of year. Christmas in Welford wouldn’t be the same without him.
‘How did Nicole get on?’ Emily asked, setting out pens alongside piles of Christmas cards.
Mandy sat down and shuffled her cards into a tidy stack before taking one to sign. ‘Really well,’ she said. ‘I’ll have to be careful not to monopolise her time. I have to share her with Molly Future!’
As she wrote her name beneath the printed message, Mandy’s mind wandered back to the work they had done with Robin and Holly that afternoon. The two donkeys were becoming far easier to handle, and Holly even let Nicole pick up each of her tiny hooves and tap them gently with a hoofpick. They had taken Flame out as well, and the lurcher had been fascinated with the foals, staring at them with her tail wagging gently until Nicole had joked that perhaps Mandy should consider rehoming the three of them together.
Lifting her glass, Mandy took a mouthful of mulled wine, savouring the flavours of cinnamon and clove. Adam had warmed it up on the hob. He had slipped in a cinnamon stick and several slices of orange, and it was delicious. The kitchen smelled wonderful too. Whoever Murgatroyd was, he knew what he was doing.
Adam stood up. ‘Another glass?’ he offered.
She was feeling distinctly cheerful. ‘That would be lovely,’ she said.
‘How about you, Emily?’ Adam looked over at her mother, who was leaning her head on her hand as she wrote. ‘Would you like some more orange juice?’
Emily looked up and shook her head. ‘Not just now thanks,’ she replied.
Moving over to the pan of still-warm wine, Adam wielded the ladle and returned with a brimming glass. ‘Hey Mandy,’ he began, his eyes sparkling. ‘What do you call a law that calls for the banning of Father Christmas?’
Mandy put down her pen. There came a time every year when Adam would begin to regale her with ridiculous Christmas jokes. Obviously this year was to be no exception. She wracked her brain trying to think of an answer. A law banning Father Christmas? ‘I have no idea,’ she admitted.
Adam looked triumphant. ‘An anti Santa Clause,’ he declared. With a flourish of his hand, he made a low bow. Mandy’s groan turned to a laugh as her dad knocked his antlers against a chair, snapping them in half. ‘Oh!’ He stood up looking embarrassed, one antler flashing at a crazy angle behind his left ear.
‘Are you all right?’ Mandy asked, once she had managed to control herself.
‘I’m fine.’ Grabbing the antlers, Adam switched them off and tossed them onto the kitchen counter. ‘So much for Rudolph,’ he said.
‘Well, if we’re going for cheesy jokes …’ Mandy warned. She waited a moment until her father had settled himself back in his seat and was looking at her, eyebrows raised. ‘What do Santa’s helpers create for him every year on the first of January?’
Adam held up his hands to admit defeat. ‘Go on, tell us,’ he said.
‘An Elf and fitness plan,’ she flashed back with a sheepish grin.
Adam rolled his eyes. ‘Now that is truly awful,’ he said. ‘Ten out of ten for cheesiness. You win. Christmas is officially here!’ He looked delighted and Mandy thought he might stand up and do a celebratory lap of the kitchen. But her father’s gaze had fallen on Emily who was sitting at the end of the table. She had been very quiet through their silliness, Mandy thought. Usually she would have joined in. ‘Are you all right, love?’
To Mandy’s horror, Emily’s face was ashen. ‘I just need a glass of water,’ she mumbled. Pushing her chair away from the table, she tried to stand up but her legs gave way. She slumped to the floor with a faint yelp.
Thrusting her own chair aside, Mandy rushed across. ‘Lie down, Mum,’ she urged. ‘Lie down, please.’ She put her arm around Emily’s shoulders and lowered her down so she was lying on her back. Pulling the chair round, she gently lifted Emily’s feet up so they were resting on the seat. A modicum of colour returned to Emily’s face. Mandy’s hands were shaking.
Adam crouched down beside his wife and stroked her hair. ‘Emily?’ he said, his voice hollow. ‘It’s all right. We’re here.’ He looked up at Mandy. ‘Can you get the phone? We need to call an ambulance.’
Emily shook her head, her hair brushing the carpet. ‘I don’t need an ambulance. I just felt a bit faint. I’ll be fine in a minute.’
Mandy studied her mother. Emily was less pale now, though her pupils were still huge and her eyes were shadowed. ‘I’m going to call 111,’ Mandy said. ‘Let them decide.’ Walking out into the hall, she felt a tightness across her chest and shoulders. She had been worried about her mum for ages. Why hadn’t she had done something before now? With a lump in her throat, she dialled the number.
‘They’re going to call back,’ she told her dad, returning to the kitchen. Adam had helped Emily to her feet and was steering her into the living room. He settled her on the sofa and covered her with a blanket, then stood gazing down at her, his brow furrowed. Mandy winced. Her father had always seemed infinitely strong and capable, whatever happened. But this seemed to be more than he could bear. Emily was lying still, her eyes closed, but she was breathing evenly and her cheeks were a little pinker.
It felt like an age before the callback came. After answering what felt like hundreds of questions, Mandy handed the phone to Emily. ‘They want to talk to you,’ she said.
She listened to her mum’s half of the conversation. It all seemed far too casual, with Emily dismissing her collapse as a mild dizzy spell. ‘Thank you so much. I’ll do that,’ Emily said finally. She passed the phone back to Mandy. ‘I don’t need an out-of-hours appointment,’ she said. ‘I’ll go to the GP first thing.’ She lay her head back on a cushion, looking exhausted. ‘Don’t worry about me, I’m fine,’ she murmured, shutting her eyes again.
‘You’re not fine,’ Adam told her briskly. ‘But we’ll do everything we can to get you better. Come on, let’s haul you up to bed.’
Mandy blinked back the tears that stung her eyes. Biting her lip, she helped her dad steer Emily up the stairs, then made her way to her own bedroom. She lay awake a long time.