One Last Love (6 page)

‘The rain should help,’ he replied.

‘They could do with a good dose of fertiliser though. Haven’t seen the gardener to tell him.’

‘You’re a rose expert then?’

‘Always had them in my garden. And you?’

‘Never was much of a gardener.’

‘I’m Madeleine by the way. Only arrived a couple of days ago.’

‘I’m Bonnie. Only got here yesterday myself,’ he said as he half stood up to shake her hand.

‘Would you like to sit?’ he asked trying to be polite, then realised that he could only offer his wheel chair, which seemed a bit silly to him given the circumstances.’

‘No, it’s fine. I’ll sit on the bench,’ she said as she took out a handkerchief and made her way towards the bench. Bonnie instantly deciding to help with his own. Between their efforts they dried one end of the bench sufficiently.

‘So is Bonnie short for Bonaparte?’

‘No, it was my mother who coined it after Prince Charlie. Not sure she’d even heard of Napoleon.’

‘So it’s Charles then?’

‘Yeah, but can’t remember being called that since I was at school.’

‘My mother was always very strict and wouldn’t let anyone abbreviate my name to Maddie. Oh she would get so angry if she heard anyone try.’

 ‘So are you from the south?’

‘No, I’ve always lived up here. I’ve been down there a few times on holidays, but the weather is so cold and miserable. Chills me to the bone. So, are you from up here too?’

‘No. I moved up about six years ago after my wife died. Needed a change. Must admit I don’t miss the cold weather at all.’

‘Kids?’

‘Just one son but he died in an accident when he was eleven.’

‘I’m sorry.’

‘Oh these things happen. It’s just life. You take the good with the bad.’

‘Yes, my philosophy too. But then again, it’s a beautiful morning so best we enjoy what we have.’

‘That’s for sure,’ he said as he reached for his packet of cigarettes. ‘Do you smoke?’

‘Oh, I’m rather infamous on that front. I’ve never been a regular smoker, but rather specialised in smoking other peoples’ cigarettes from time to time. My late husband used to call me a cheapskate smoker,’ she laughed.

‘Would you like one?’ Bonnie said offering the open packet towards Madeleine.

‘You know, it’s been months and months. I think I will. Thank you.’

Madeleine took the cigarette and Bonnie lit it for her, then lit his own. He coughed, she just spluttered a little before they both sat quietly for a minute or two enjoying the view, and their cigarettes.

‘Very unhealthy,’ Madeleine said as she gazed at the roses.’

‘So’s getting hit by a cement truck,’ Bonnie replied as he gazed at the roses as well.

*****

Bonnie was sitting with Madeleine in the dining room when Danny, and then a few minutes later, Angeline arrived. After introductions, they ordered lunch. Their conversation quiet, reserved and polite. Mostly about the weather. While Angeline appeared to have slightly more colour than when Bonnie had seen her earlier in the morning, Danny was looking poorly. His face grey and was clearly having occasional breathing problems.

‘That’s a pretty scarf,’ Madeleine said.

‘Oh thank you. My mum bought it for me. I think it’s from Kashmir. I’ve got a huge collection now what with the chemo and stuff,’ Angeline replied.

‘Could probably do with a couple myself,’ Bonnie laughed as he scratched at his thin threads of white hair.’

‘I think blue would suit you Bonnie.’

‘Ok, blue it is then Nancy.’

‘Nancy?’ Madeleine asked somewhat confused.

‘Oh it’s just Bonnie Madeleine. He thinks I’m the evil thief daughter of Fagin.’

‘Well, I see. And what do you steal?’

‘Pork crackling mostly, but I’m sure I’ll work my way up.’

‘Oh dear, now I’m totally confused,’ Madeleine chuckled. Bonnie noticed Danny wasn’t smiling at the fun.

‘You ok?’ he asked quietly as Madeleine and Angeline chatted.

‘No, I’m fine. Just a little nauseous. It’ll pass. Probably just need something in my stomach.’

‘Let me know if I can do anything, and eh by the way, look, I’m sorry about this morning.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘I was an arsehole.’

‘I didn’t notice,’ he said.

‘Well, I was but anyway, just yell if you need anything. Ok?’

‘Thanks Bonnie.’

Lunch arrived and the plates served, then the conversation waned as they started eating. None with hearty appetites, but Danny was obviously having trouble swallowing even very small mouthfuls, then stopped eating.

‘You ok?’ Bonnie asked but Danny didn’t reply. His eyes were drifting. ‘I’ll call a nurse.’

‘I’ll go Bonnie,’ Angeline said as she spun her wheelchair and headed towards the nurses’ station. Bonnie caught Danny’s head as it started to fall forward towards his plate, while Madeleine moved to help. Between them they managed to get Danny leaning back from the table, but he was limp and it took all their strength to stop his falling from his chair.

‘It’s ok. I’ve got him’ Mary said as she ran and took hold of Danny with Odele close behind. ‘Can you get a wheelchair Odele?’ Mary asked quietly and calmly. Within seconds Odele returned and they moved Danny onto the wheelchair.

‘Thanks,’ Mary said to the other three. ‘We’ll look after him. Best finish your lunch before it gets cold.’ she said as she turned to leave. Odele ahead of her walking briskly to the nurses’ station, probably to call a doctor.

‘I might go to my room. I’m not very hungry,’ Angeline said.

‘Yes, get some rest. Might see you at dinner then,’ Bonnie said.

‘Sure Bonnie. Nice to meet you Madeleine.’

‘You too Angeline. We’ll chat again soon.’

Bonnie and Madeleine sat quietly having lost what little appetite they had. Both avoiding the habitual, he’ll be fine I’m sure platitude.

‘The young don’t belong here,’ Madeleine said and broke the silence.

‘I think I might have a smoke in the rose garden before a rest.’

‘A whiskey would suit me better,’ Madeleine said and surprised Bonnie. He smiled. ‘Do you mind if I join you?’ she asked.

‘Of course not.’

The clouds had cleared and the sunshine was a little warmer in the early afternoon. There was no need to dry the bench this time. Bonnie stayed in his wheel chair. He smoked quietly after Madeleine had said her one cigarette for the day was enough for her. Their silence punctuated with the occasional puff of breeze that rustled the rose bushes.

‘Expect you get your visitors in the afternoon.’

‘Hardly any Bonnie. The minister called by yesterday for half an hour.’

‘Minster?’

‘Anglican. I go to church sometimes. I like the singing.’

‘Never was one for churches.’

‘Nor me really, but the last few years it was nice to meet a few people.’

‘So you went to church and I went to the pub,’ he smiled.

‘Well, at least the pub was open weeknights.’

‘But closed on Sundays.’

‘I think I might go inside Bonnie. The sun is a bit hot for me.’

‘It is a bit. I’ll come with you.’

Bonnie rolled alongside Madeleine as she walked slowly from the rose garden, then as they entered the building, they made their way along the hall, past the nurses’ station to the end of the corridor.

My room’s this way,’ she said pointing left.

‘Mine’s that way,’ Bonnie said and pointed to the right.

‘Just like primary school. Boys on the right, girls on the left,’ Madeleine said. He nodded and smiled.

 ‘Alright. I’ll let you get some rest. Could do with a nap myself. Perhaps we could meet for dinner this evening.’

‘Sure Bonnie. I’d like that. Six-thirty?’

‘Six-thirty then.’

Bonnie turned and rolled a few feet. He turned his head, and caught Madeleine still looking at him. She smiled. He smiled back.

On his way back, Bonnie passed Danny’s room. He could only see Danny’s feet and legs under the covers with two doctors and Mary obscuring his view of Danny’s face. He didn’t hesitate long before continuing to his door. He got himself from his wheel chair and onto his bed ready for a nap. He closed his eyes and fell asleep easily, without Carol’s face playing on the ceiling above him.

A noise woke Bonnie and he checked his watch. Four fifteen. He turned on the television hanging from above his bed, put on the head phones and lost himself in children’s cartoons.

*****

Danny was asleep when Bonnie stopped near his door on his way to dinner.

‘He has his ups and downs,’ Mary said as she neared Danny’s door as well.

‘It’s a bloody waste of time asking if he’ll be alright, isn’t it?’

‘That you care is enough Bonnie.’

‘He’ll never learn how to play bloody Canasta at this rate.’

‘Canasta? Do people still play that? Haven’t heard it mentioned in years.’

‘Nor had I to be honest. Silly bugger asked me to teach him how to play.’

‘And you obliged of course I’m sure Bonnie. I bet you’re an old card shark from way back.’

‘Yup. Wild Bill Hickok taught me how to play in fact,’ he said with a smile.

‘Wild Bill who?’

‘Damn, that shows my age, doesn’t it?’

‘Well, enjoy your dinner. I’d better check on Danny.’

‘Thanks,’ he said as he wheeled himself towards the dining room. He was a little early so he took a place at a table. He had the choice of three, as the dining room was empty. There was noise and a little idle chatter coming from behind the servery as the kitchen staff prepared dinner. It suddenly occurred to Bonnie that he’d been here for little more than a day. This was only his second dinner. So much had happened it felt like a year. There was activity at the nurses’ station just outside the dining room door as nurses came and went, quiet orders were being given, and an ambulance officer ambled past the door as if he was on an evening stroll. Another one following behind. Bonnie watched as they came back and strolled past again, heading towards the building’s entrance. A nurse following. A minute or two later, the three passed again, but this time pushing a bed trolley occupied obviously by a new arrival. He thought of Henry, and even though he hadn’t met him, he knew he’d been sitting at the same table the night before. Bonnie moved to another table.

Bonnie didn’t have much time to spend any deep thought on the matter as Angeline rolled in a few minutes later.

‘Boy. Busy out there,’ she said.

‘A new arrival?’

‘Yeah. It often happens late afternoon or evening.’

Bonnie was going to ask about the mornings but caught himself. He pushed the wisps of white hair back across his head instead. ‘You look better.’

‘The drip helps a bit. Usually does.’

‘So are you staying for dinner?’

‘I was thinking about having it my room. Just saw you as I was passing.’

‘Madeleine’s coming,’ he said.

‘She’s a nice lady…… and Danny?’

‘I doubt it. He was sleeping when I passed his room just now.’

‘He probably just needs a good rest. Look, I might pass if that’s ok?’

‘No problem at all Nancy. Take it easy and get some rest too.’

‘Catch up with you tomorrow then. Enjoy your dinner.’

‘Will do,’ he said as she rolled away towards the dining room door.

Bonnie knew what tomorrow could bring, but brushed it away from his thinking. Tomorrow was tomorrow and the sun would come up and the world would start a new day, as would Nancy. Danny would wake in the morning and be ready to pester him again about learning Canasta. Yes, tomorrow would come and he wanted to go to the rose garden and watch the buds grow plump and ready themselves to bloom.

‘Good evening,’ a low voice seemed to boom and echo.

‘Oh, good evening. Sorry, lost in my thoughts,’ Bonnie said as he looked across at a man now preparing to sit at the table next to him.

‘Charlie Anderson,’ the man said as he extended his hand.

‘Bonnie Mayfield,’ he said as he shook the man’s hand. ‘You were here last night, weren’t you?’

‘Oh yes, with poor old Henry.’

‘Sorry to hear about …..’

‘These things happen, he said seemingly brushing away any thought of Henry. ‘I wasn’t planning on coming to the dining room for dinner tonight, but I have been coerced.’

‘Sounds ominous.’

‘Oh no, not at all. It’s my daughter. Somehow she’s managed to, oh I don’t know, bribe the nurses or something. But anyway, she’s joining me for dinner so I decided my room wasn’t appropriate on this occasion.’

‘And rightly so. Sounds like she’s gone to a lot of effort.’

‘She has a habit of getting her own way. A spoilt upbringing perhaps.’

‘Oh I doubt that. Oh, is that her?’ Bonnie asked as he saw a woman standing at the dining room door looking a little lost.

‘Yes it is. Beatrice, come and meet Bonnie.’

‘Hello,’ she said politely as she walked over. ‘I hope I’m not intruding or anything. Just thought it’d be nice to have dinner with dad,’ she said as she shook Bonnie’s hand.

‘Not at all,’ Bonnie replied. ‘Very pleased to meet you…. oh, here’s Madeleine.’

‘Hello Bonnie,’ she said.

‘Hello Madeleine. Have you met Charlie?’

‘No, nice to meet you,’ she said as she extended her hand.

‘And this is his daughter, Beatrice.’

‘Nice to meet you too.’

‘Me too Madeleine. I’ve just come to have dinner with my dad.’

‘Oh that’s wonderful. I hope the food lives up to the occasion,’ Madeleine smiled.

‘Would you like to join us for dinner?’ Beatrice asked Bonnie and Madeleine.

‘Oh no, we don’t want to intrude,’ Bonnie said.

‘Not at all,’ Charlie replied. ‘Never say no to nice company. Right Beatrice?’

‘Yes. Please join us. Well unless you’d prefer……’

‘Very kind of you, we’d be delighted,’ Madeleine said and looked to Bonnie for agreement.

‘Of course.’

‘So, when did you arrive?’ Bonnie asked Charlie trying to kick start the conversation as they all sat down.

‘Just a few days ago. I must admit it’s much nicer here than the rotten hospital. I did indeed feel like just a number there. The staff here on the other hand have been very accommodating.’

‘Know the feeling. Only arrived yesterday myself,’ Bonnie said knowing instantly that Charlie was one of those ‘up himself tossers’ he’d despised for most of his life. Upper class creeps always dressed in suits that had looked down their nose at him. And voted right.