Chapter Fourteen

Jennifer has an outing to her husbands grave and reflects on what lies ahead.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Jennifer soon settled into a routine of chemotherapy, care-home and care-at-home, and each time it got a little bit easier. The good folk of St Sophia's set up a rota for taking her back and forth between the hospital, Owl Heights and her bungalow in Richmond Street. Three lovely care-workers, Katie, Petra and Maxine, came four times daily, by turns, to assist with 'personal chores', as they called them. Gracie, her social worker, kept a steadying hand on everything. And there was no wanting for company. Emily came everyday, as did Damien, and Daniel usually popped across the road, often with Emily. It was clear to Jennifer that her great niece and the attractive young reporter were now 'an item', as the youngsters said nowadays.

One afternoon, during her stay at Owl Heights, Daniel paid Jennifer a visit by himself. He said he had something to discuss with her. Thinking it concerned Emily, Jennifer was eager to listen.

“I want to talk to you about Yewell Community Cancer Support” he began, taking a small recording device out of his pocket. He placed it on the bedside table, but did not switch it on.

“A worthy charity, of which I am secretary”, Jennifer informed him. “They support Owl Heights and are supplying my carers.”

“I've been asked to cover the fundraising events” he continued, “and thought I would do a piece on how the charity is helping a real patient.”

“And you had me in mind” Jennifer interrupted. She leaned back in her armchair, closing her eyes briefly. She was charitable by nature, but was unsure if she wanted her private life 'out there', so to speak.

“I would keep it anonymous, of course” Daniel promised, “change the names, etc. No one would know it was you.”

Jennifer opened her eyes. Why not? Besides he was charming, and if it helped to raise funds she would be involved, even if she could not herself take an active part.

“I will be glad to help you” she agreed after a while. “Now I have a favour to ask of you.”

“You know I' m happy to help in any way I can. What do you need?”

Jennifer was deep in thought, as if she had retreated to a far away place. Daniel touched her arm, worry creasing his face.

“Jennifer?” His touch brought her back to the present.

“I would like to pay a visit to the graveyard. Today would have been our fifty-sixth wedding anniversary, and yesterday Lewis would have been eighty-three. I would like to visit Lewis and lay flowers on his grave. “ There were tears in Jennifer's gentle eyes as she looked up at her young visitor. 'He is so like Lewis' she thought, 'kind and gentle. He will take care of Emily when I'm gone, God willing.'

“We can stop and buy some flowers on the way,” Daniel suggested. He picked up the recorder and clicked a button on the side. “Now, shall we begin?”

The two chatted for a while about the work of the charity and the care Jennifer was receiving during her illness. When Daniel turned off the machine Jennifer felt quite weary, but she was still determined to visit her beloved husband's grave.

It did not take her long to get ready. Daniel offered her his arm for support as they made their way slowly along the corridor towards the lift. Down in the entrance hall they both signed out in the pass book, as was mandatory, and Daniel led her to a familiar blue fiesta waiting in the car park; her own little car.

“You said it needed a run. Em gave me the keys.”

“She's very special” Jennifer told him in her turn.

“She certainly is” Daniel agreed as he opened the passenger door and Jennifer carefully climbed inside.

Yewell Memorial Gardens sprawled around and about St Sophia's, unfolding downhill towards the Yewell Valley. On a clear day the view from the churchyard stretched for miles. The River Yewell wound it's peaceful way through the valley, while sheep and cattle grazed upon the hillsides, paying it no attention whatsoever. The entire vista was part of Sir Dickie's estate, as was the folly atop a nearby hill, decrepit now, it's creation long forgotten history.

Daniel parked the car at the garden gate and helped Jennifer out. The graveyard was almost deserted; only the gardener was at work, mowing the grass. He waved hello on recognising the newcomers.

Lewis Beauchamp's gravestone was a new one. A pink tinged stone had replaced the original granite one, and bore the names, not only of Lewis himself, but of his parents, Thomas and Lillian also. There was room, Jennifer knew, for her own name to be added, when the time came. With difficulty she knelt down beside the grave and began to clear away some weeds that had sprouted unbidden. 'Has it been so long since my last visit?' Jennifer tried to recall the last time she had been there, the last time she had attended service on a Sunday. A particularly stubborn dandelion proved more than a match for her enfeebled hands, so Daniel stooped to assist her.

“Let me at him” he insisted, digging around the root with a brass key-fob that bore the slogan 'Keep Calm and Drive'.

They had stopped at a flower shop on the way and bought the red roses which Jennifer placed lovingly in the vase. Lewis had loved his rose bushes, tended them religiously, by the book. Now they were sadly neglected, only a few flowers blooming in the summer sun.

Daniel stood up, but Jennifer stayed by the grave in silent prayer.

“I love you Lewis, I miss you every day, and I'll be with you soon” she whispered in parting.

Jennifer sighed as she struggled to stand and once more Daniel came to her aid. The realisation that his dear neighbour was not coping as well as everyone thought shook him, though he kept the worry from his face. Back on her feet, Jennifer thanked him with a warm smile as they walked slowly back towards the car. The graveyard was quiet, peaceful now the gardener had returned his lawnmower to it's shed. The only sound was a slight breeze rustling the treetops. Maybe it was the souls of the long departed sighing in their eternal sleep, some resting in this hallowed place for over thirteen hundred years.

'Such a long time' Jennifer thought, taking a last glance at the dear old church. “May I commandeer you for a little longer?” she asked her handsome companion. “It's such a lovely day. I would enjoy a little trip to the country park.”

“We'll stop and have tea and cake at the café. My treat”, Daniel suggested.

The café was not busy, it being a weekday, so there were plenty of tables to be had. Two of the young girls from St Sophia's were spending their summer waitressing, before going off to university in the autumn. Jennifer had known them both since they were babies, and they both called her 'Aunt Jen'. The girls were shocked to see how frail their former Sunday School teacher had become, but quickly recovered their professional demeanour and set about making their customer as comfortable as they could. They served cups of Earl Grey, and slices of Battenburg cake, as if she were a VIP, even finding a cushion for her back.

“Lewis would have enjoyed this” Jennifer mused as she sipped her tea in the warm sunshine.