She ran through the open front door of Marymount Old People's home and stopped in the hall. She lowered her jacket and patted her hair trying to reassemble the perm that her friend Wendy had done only the day before.
"Good morning, Sally."
Anne, the matron of the home, was walking towards her, reaching out to take the umbrella. She was a tall, somewhat over bearing woman in a crisp overall with a starched apron. Rumour had it that as the matron in the local hospital, several years earlier, she had led a reign of terror and every single nurse in the place had trembled in her presence. However, Sally had started working at Marymount the week before Anne and they had hit it off from the start becoming good friends. Sally often invited Anne, who was unmarried, to eat with the family. Anne had, on several occasions taken Sally and Brian out for a meal as a way of saying thank you. Having dedicated her life to nursing, the art of cooking had passed her by.
"I saw what happened, you poor thing. Give me that here. I'll give it to Walter to repair. He loves tinkering around with things like that. He'll soon fix it for you." Walter, the handyman at Marymount, was a genius at repairing things that were often thought to be beyond redemption but Sally felt that the umbrella was beyond even his expertise.
"Forget it," replied Sally. "I think it's finished this time. Brian's fixed it twice. It can go in the bin. It was only a cheap thing which I bought on the market. I could just have done without this happening, this morning."
"Are you sure?" Anne asked.
"Yes, thanks. I'm more concerned about the car," Sally said. She took off her jacket and hung it on the coat stand outside Anne's office.
"Is that playing up as well?" enquired Anne.
"Yes. The damned thing has stalled at the bottom of the drive. It's OK. It's not blocking the way, but I can't get it to go. I'll have to ring Brian before I start work, if that's OK with you and get him to come and have a look at it. It's been playing up for a few days now. If we had the money I'd get rid of it and get another. Can I use the telephone in your office, please? Then I must get started. Is everyone in or am I the first?"
"Help yourself to the telephone. Joyce and Barbara are in but there's no sign of Helen." Anne lifted the watch that was pinned on her apron and looked at it. "These youngsters. You can't rely on them."
No sooner had she said that than the front door burst open. Helen, who was working at the home until it was time to go to University, ran in. The T-shirt and cycle shorts that she wore were soaking wet. "Sorry I'm late, matron. The bus was held up in town. There was an accident at the lights by the bank and everything came to a halt."
Anne looked at Sally, as if for confirmation of the story, but she travelled to work by a different route so was unable to either agree or disagree.
"Well, get your coat off and get into the kitchen. Cook is waiting for you. They've just finished the breakfasts and there's a sink full of pots."
"Tell Cook I'm on my way," Sally shouted down the hall as Helen walked towards the kitchen. "I've just got to make a phone call."
Sally went into Anne's office and sat down in the large leather chair that seemed to be the focal point of the room. She lifted the telephone and dialled.
"Hiya. It's me," she said into the receiver. "No. I'm not OK. The flaming car has broken down again. I can't get it to go."
She listened to the questions on the other end of the line.
"No, I'm at work. It's at the bottom of the drive here. Can you come and either sort it out or get it towed home? I need it for tomorrow. I've promised Jessie I'll take her out for the afternoon."
She listened to his answer.
"OK, thanks. Ring the bell when you get here and I'll give you the key. Bye for now. See you later."
Anne walked into the room as Sally was getting up out of the chair.
"How did you get on? Was he in?"
"Yes, thanks. He's going to get his mate Dave to run him down here to have a look at it. The infuriating thing is that the renewal notice for the AA came through last month and I never paid it. Typical. It just came at a bad time. There was the gas bill, the electric bill and I just couldn't find the money."
Sally was starting to feel sorry for herself. Since Brian had lost his job she had been the sole breadwinner. He couldn't help it. He was trying everything he could to get work, but there wasn't any about. The building trade had slumped and consequently nobody was employing decorators. He'd tried to go self employed but nobody had given him any work. It seemed that everyone was into DIY at the moment. No doubt, to save money. Consequently, Sally sometimes felt that everything depended on her and the only enjoyment she seemed to have these days was taking Jessie out on a shopping trip. Sally never had money to spend but took great pleasure from walking around the shops with the old lady, watching her take forever to decide which underskirt or face cloth to buy. The fact that she gave up half of her day off didn't matter. Jessie was a lot like her. Neither of them had much in life and so it seemed the obvious thing to pool their resources.
"Well, I know it's not the answer but when Brian gets himself a job you'll be able to afford to pay for the AA." Anne broke her train of thought. "I'm sure he'll get it fixed in the meantime. He's good with his hands, isn't he?"
"He's brilliant with his hands. I just wish he could earn some money with them." Sally walked out of the office. "Still, this won't get the baby a new hat, will it? I must get on. I'll see you later."
"Sally." Anne called after her. "Before you go, I've something to tell you. Old Joe died last night."
"Oh, dear," replied Sally, as she walked back towards Anne. "But I'm not surprised really. I got the impression he was on his way out when I left. What time did he die?"
"Wendy found him at about 2-00 this morning. She called Doctor Hunter but all he did was sign the death certificate and send for the undertakers."
"Oh, dear. Poor old sod. Jessie will miss him. They were good friends. Have you told her?"
"I haven't, but I think Wendy may have. Ask her. She hasn't gone home yet. I think she's in the kitchen."
When Sally walked into the kitchen Wendy, who was sitting at the table eating her breakfast, asked her if she'd heard about Old Joe. Before she could answer, Alice, the cook, asked her if she wanted a cup of tea.
"Yes, please," Sally said to the offer of tea as she sat down opposite Wendy at the table. "Yes, I've just seen Anne. Have you told Jessie?"
"Yes, I told her while I was dressing her."
"How did she take it?" Sally was concerned about how the old lady had reacted.
"She had a little weep, but she seemed to be realistic about it. She knew he'd been ill, because he hadn't been out of his room for the past few days. She asked me when the funeral is. I don't know if I did the right thing, but I said that you might take her."
"Yes, I'll take her." Alice placed mug of tea on the table. "Thanks. Well, I'm saying I'll take her. It depends on the damned car. It's playing up again. I'll just drink this then I'll go and see her and give her the news. "
"What's the matter with it this time?" Alice asked.
"God knows. It stalled on me at the bottom of the drive and I was so flaming' mad I just left it there. I've telephoned Brian and he's coming to get it," Sally replied. "He's going to call here for the key," she announced to everyone in the kitchen. "If I'm not around, come and get me, please."
She took a mouthful of tea then got up from the table, walked across to the sink and washed the mug, dried it on a tea towel and put it away in the cupboard. "I must get on. I'll go and see Jessie now. Where is she? In the common room?" and without waiting for a reply, walked out of the room.
"Yes," Wendy shouted after her. She had now finished her breakfast and was lighting up a cigarette.
"What have I told you about smoking in the kitchen," protested Alice. "If you must do it, go outside into the garden."
"Sorry," Wendy apologised. "I'm that tired I forgot what time of day or night it was. I'm going home. See you all tomorrow. Bye." With that she got up from the table, took her coat which was on the back of the chair and putting it on, went home.
Alice felt that as cook, she had the best deal of all the staff. The last thing she would want to do in the middle of the night would be to start changing dirty beds and bathing people. Then there were the occasions when the poor old sods died. Last night Wendy had to help the undertaker lay Old Joe out and that certainly hadn't been the first time. It surprised Alice that they all took it in their stride. It was as if the girls, as she called them, were all expecting their charges to die on them. At least she wasn't expecting anyone to die from her cooking. Oh no. She'd not lost one yet. She surveyed the kitchen, looking at the sink full of pots that Helen hadn't washed yet and mentally planned her timing for the lunch. Celery soup, Shepherds Pie with leeks and steamed chocolate pudding and custard for thirty six. Yes. She certainly had the best deal.
* * * * * * * * * *
Sally went into the lounge and found Jessie, sitting in her usual chair, looking out of the window.
"Good morning, Jessie," Sally said, giving the old lady a peck on the cheek. "How are you today?"
"I'm fine, thank you, my dear. I'm certainly better than Old Joe."
Jessie looked as if she'd been crying, but Sally decided not to say anything. It was only to be expected. Joe and Jessie had been at Marymount the longest of any of the residents and Old Joe's passing must have reminded her of her own mortality.
"Yes. Wendy said that she'd told you. I haven't heard yet when the funeral is going to be, but as soon as I find out I'll let you know."
"Will you take me?" asked Jessie, clasping Sally's hand.
"Of course I will. You know that. Don't forget that we are going shopping tomorrow." Sally secretly prayed that Brian would be able to get the car fixed. She would hate to have to let the old lady down.
Jessie hadn't forgotten about the shopping trip. In fact, she had been looking forward to it ever since Sally had mentioned it the previous week. Sally was so good to her. Almost like the daughter that she had never had. Jessie looked on Sally and Brian virtually as family. Shortly after George, her husband, had passed away, Jessie had a stroke and her sister in law, Ethel, suggested that she move into Marymount where she could be sure of being looked after properly. Jessie wondered how much of it was genuine compassion and how much of it was fear that she would ask Ethel if she could go and live with her and her husband. Ethel's husband had died shortly after Jessie moved into the home and Jessie often wondered if Ethel was short on company. Nothing was ever mentioned and so Jessie had stayed where she was. She'd had a couple of bouts of illness since she moved in to the home which had made her grateful that she hadn't imposed such a burden on Ethel, but Sally had always been there to look after her.
Ethel had always suffered from arthritis, that seemed to deteriorate after her husband's death, which meant that she wasn't able to visit very often. Jessie's only other family was Alan, her brother's son. Considering that he lived in town, it was quite hurtful that he didn't visit more frequently. She tried to remember the last time that Alan had visited her. Then she realised that it had been when she was ill almost six months previously.
She'd been in bed recovering from pneumonia when he'd walked into her room. At first she hadn't recognised him, he'd changed so much. Ethel had contacted him and informed him that his only living relative was seriously ill and consequently, out of a sense of duty, he had appeared. He'd enquired after her health and explained that his butchery business kept him so busy that he never seemed to have the time to visit. However, he vowed that he would make a concerted effort from then on. It had seemed that he was being true to his word when, the following day, he'd returned with a large box and a carrier bag.
"I've brought something for you, Aunty," he'd said. Then he'd proceeded to open the box to reveal a bird cage. From the carrier bag he had then taken another box. This one being small, rectangular and long. He had opened the door of the cage, which she noticed was already prepared to receive its new occupant. Then carefully opening one end of the smaller box, he had placed the open end inside the cage door. She watched with wonder as a small blue budgerigar flew out to the relative freedom of the cage. "I always remember you having a budgie when I came to visit you with my father and I thought that it would be company for you. I checked with the matron yesterday and she had no objections. So here he is. Bobby."
"Oh, thank you. He's beautiful."
Alan left as soon as the bird had settled in its new surroundings and that was the last she'd seen of him. Obviously Bobby was meant as a substitute to regular visits but she didn't mind.
Her health improved and she was soon able to give the bird her full attention. Bobby was intelligent and she soon had him talking. "Who's a pretty boy?" and "Mummy loves you" were all he had mastered so far, but she was confident she could increase his repertoire. He regularly had the luxury of Jessie's bedroom when Sally cleaned out his cage. She seemed to have no trouble catching him when it was time for him to return to the clean sand sheet and fresh millet spray.
This was one reason why she was looking forward to the shopping expedition. Bobby needed a new bell.
* * * * * * * * * *
Sally left Jessie in the lounge and went and got on with her work. She had to clean her allocation of rooms then prepare the dining room for lunch. After lunch, she helped the other ladies clear the dishes away and once the residents were seated in the lounge the staff all sat down together and ate. The afternoon was then spent in much the same way as the morning.
She was dusting one of the other residents' rooms when she heard Helen calling her. "Your husband's here. Something about wanting the car key."
"Thanks," Sally shouted. "I'll be down in a minute."
She kept the duster in her hand and wiped the banister as she ran down the huge oak staircase. Brian was standing in the hall waiting for her.
"Hiya," she said. "I'll just get the key. Did you have a look at it as you came in?" She walked across to the coat stand and rummaged through her jacket pocket.
"I couldn't get in, so there didn't seem to be much point. Dave's outside with his jeep, so between us we'll get something sorted."
Sally found the key and handed it to Brian. "Here you are. See what you can do. Jessie's in there," pointing to the open lounge door. "Stick your head in and say Hello."
"No, I can't," replied Brian. "I'm filthy and I've got my old boots on. I'll see her tomorrow when you bring her home."
"You'll only see her tomorrow if you get the car fixed."
"Well that's an incentive for me, isn't it?" he smiled. With that he went to see what could be done with the car.
Sally ran back upstairs to the half finished room. She made the bed, washed the hand basin and then finally vacuumed the carpet. Closing the door behind her, she went into the next room. Jessie's. The first thing she did, as always, was speak to Bobby whose cage was in the window, catching the morning sunshine. "Hello, Bobby." The bird cocked his head to one side in recognition of the voice, but made no attempt to mimic it. The bird enjoyed company and was often taken into the lounge to spend the day with the other residents. But the constant variety of voices did nothing to help him improve his vocabulary.
She removed the elasticated plastic cover off the bottom of the cage then sliding the class retainer upwards, removed the seed pot. Blowing the detritus into the waste bin she replenished the seed from the box that was kept on the window sill. She then replaced the seed pot and the plastic cover.
There was a routine in each room which Sally quickly followed. She folded the night dress that was laying on the bed then dusted the small blue alarm clock on the bedside table. She had bought it for Jessie last Christmas. Residents were encouraged to bring items of furniture with them when they moved in as a way of making them feel at home. Jessie had brought a small mahogany dressing table which took pride of place in her room. Moving to it, Sally polished the mirror and the top. Jessie was a tidy lady and although there was a variety of things on the dressing table, they were all laid out neatly. Sally made certain she replaced everything correctly as she lifted each item to dust it. She went through the routine automatically. She loved her job. Brian often told her that he thought she could do better for herself, but she enjoyed helping others. Not many people got up in the morning and looked forward to going to work, but Sally did. The staff she worked with, the residents she worked for all went towards making her job enjoyable. The only thing that would have helped would have been more money. Before Brian had lost his job, the wage she received from the home had been a welcome boost to their finances. But now, it was the main source of income and things were very tight. Brian collected no money from the State because she earned too much. He had tried on several occasions to get her to give up the job so that they could claim benefits. Although they would not have been much better off, Brian argued that at least she wouldn't have to clean up after other people and be at their beck and call. But she wouldn't hear of it. The idea of living off handouts, as she classed them, didn't appeal to her and if she gave up her job, she felt that her and Brian would sit around the house, looking at each other all day, doing nothing. She didn't want that. No. She would happily continue as she was and just hope that Brian would soon get another job and things would return to normal. Her train of thought led her to wonder how he was getting on with the car. He hadn't been back, so he'd obviously towed it home. Whatever the problem was she desperately hoped that it would be fixed, cheaply, so that she would not have to cancel the shopping trip. Jessie didn't have much to look forward to, so Sally had taken it on herself to give the old lady as fulfilling a life - or what remained of it - as she could. Her nephew never came near and her sister in law had long ago stopped visiting. Sally had once asked Jessie if she would like to go and visit Ethel and her reply had surprised her.
"If she can't be bothered to come and see me, why should you to put yourself out taking me to see her," totally disregarding the fact that her sister in law was crippled. So Sally never asked again.
She admired a small butterfly wing brooch which Jessie had left out. From habit, Sally dusted it and put it back in the jewellery box. Then she quickly wiped over the hand basin and rinsed out the glass which Jessie soaked her teeth in. Totally engrossed in her thoughts, she jumped when Helen appeared at the door of the room.
"Alice says 'Are you going to be long?' She's made a pot of tea."
"Oh, you made me jump then. I was miles away. Well I sometimes wish I was," she laughed. "Thanks. I'll be down in a minute. I've just got to make the bed then run the vacuum cleaner over the carpet. Look at the mess that Bobby makes," she said pointing to the empty seed shells which littered the carpet underneath his cage. "It's like that every day. Still, he keeps her company so who am I to argue. It won't take me a minute."
Helen went down stairs and Sally followed her out onto the landing and pulled the vacuum cleaner into the room. Within minutes, she'd lifted all the refuse that the bird had scattered. Finally making the bed she left the room looking pristine once again and closed the door. She wondered how long the carpet would stay clean. No doubt, by the time Jessie returned to her room, Bobby would have once again done his worst.
Sally called in to the lounge, on her way back to the kitchen, to see Jessie.
"I've fed Bobby for you," Sally said to the old lady. "He's sitting up there in the sunshine, chirping away to himself. Do you want me to bring him down here?"
Jessie looked up at her and smiled. "Thank you, my dear. Leave him where he is. You are good to me," she said, once again clasping her hand.
"I'm even better to Bobby," Sally said, laughing. "It's a wonder Mr Anderson doesn't charge him rent as well as you. Anyway, lunch will be ready shortly. I may see you this afternoon, but if I don't I'll collect you at 9-30 tomorrow." She decided not to mention anything about the problems with the car. She would cross that bridge if and when she came to it. "Wendy knows that I'm taking you out so she'll get you ready after breakfast before she goes home. OK?"
"Yes, fine my dear. I need to get Bobby a new bell."
* * * * * * * * * *
Sally didn't see Jessie again that afternoon. In fact, she never saw her again. When she arrived home later that day, Brian told her that it was an electrical fault with the car and that Dave had taken it back to his garage to repair. He'd promised to have it back at the house for 8-00 the following morning. Happy that the shopping expedition would go ahead, Sally decided to have an early night.
She was awoken by the telephone ringing downstairs and she rushed out of bed to answer it before it woke Brian. As she put the landing light on, she glanced at her watch and wondered who would be ringing her at 3-15 in the morning.
"Sally?" the voice asked when she picked up the receiver.
"Yes."
"It's Wendy. I've had to ring you. I'm afraid I've got some bad news. Jessie has passed away."
Sally gasped and dropped the telephone. She had started to cry when she picked up the receiver again. "What? When? Look, I'll get myself dressed and come in. I'll have to get a cab because I've got no car. What happened? She was fine when I left her this morning."
Wendy answered the barrage of questions as best she could. She explained that Jessie had rung her emergency bell and was complaining of pains in her chest when Sarah, the new girl, had gone to see her. Wendy had been called and had arrived in the room as Jessie had had one final massive seizure. She'd then sent for Doctor Hunter but his only job had been to pronounce her dead.
"I'm waiting for the undertakers to come now," Wendy explained, "but stay where you are. There's nothing you can do. You'd do better going back to bed. I know it's your day off tomorrow, so you can pop in if you feel up to it. Are you going to be OK?"
"I don't know," replied Sally.
"Is Brian there with you?" asked Wendy, knowing how upset her friend would be feeling at this moment.
"Yes. He's in bed."
"No I'm not." Brian had been woken by the commotion and had come downstairs to find out what was happening.
"Oh, he's here now," Sally said into the telephone. "I'll speak to you tomorrow." Then she replaced the receiver, looked at Brian, threw her arms round his neck and sobbed "Jessie's dead."
* * * * * * * * * *
Dave was true to his word and he brought the car back at 8-00 the next morning. Sally and Brian were both waiting for him. Following the telephone call they had sat in the lounge for the rest of the night. Sally was unable to sleep so Brian had encouraged her to talk. Her sense of loss seemed enormous. Almost as if she had lost a close family member. Brian knew how much Sally had thought of Jessie but had not, for a moment, dreamed that she would be so upset at losing her. Sally just kept repeating how well Jessie had looked when she had last seen her and how amazing it was that she could be taken so quickly. Brian sat and listened. He was never very good in these situations but he was determined to do his best.
Around 6-30 they abandoned the idea of sleep and after having showered had got dressed. They were both sitting in the lounge looking out of the window when Dave had returned the car. As they watched him park outside the house they both went out to meet him, locking the front door behind them. Dave was surprised to see them both walking down the garden path.
"Hello Sally. It was electrics, like I thought, but I've fixed it for you now." He looked at Sally and realised that she'd been crying, then turning towards his pal he raised his eyebrows, questioningly.
"We've had some bad news," Brian said without waiting to be asked. "One of Sally's friends at the home has died. We're going there now. Thanks for doing the car. I'll settle up with you later."
Sally had walked from the house and without speaking, got into the passenger seat of the car.
Dave caught her eye and gave her a feeble smile. "Don't worry about it. Get me a pint at the weekend," he said to Brian who had walked round to the drivers side and got in.
"OK. Thanks," Brian said and waved to Dave as the car pulled away from the kerb.
"Do you think they will have telephoned her nephew yet?" Brian asked as they drove along.
"Yes," replied Sally. "It's standard procedure. Anne will have called him this morning." Brian thought that she was becoming more composed and indeed she was. She'd had her little weep and now she had to be practical about the whole thing. Jessie was bound to die at some stage. She was eighty seven. Yes, Sally would miss her, but that was only natural. She'd get over it in time.
They spent the rest of the journey to Marymount in silence. Brian not sure of what else to say and Sally at peace with her thoughts.
As the car pulled up outside the home Anne came out to meet them. Sally got out of the car and walked across to her. She put her arms round Sally and hugged her.
"It was a nasty shock to all of us, my dear. I suppose the only consolation is that she didn't suffer."
Sally started to tell Anne that she was fine when a green estate car sped up the drive and braked hard behind hers.
"He's wasted no time in getting here," Anne said, watching Jessie's nephew get out the car and lock it.
"Hello Matron," Alan said. " Thanks for the telephone call. I just thought I'd come and get my Aunt's things. I wouldn't want you to charge me rent for her room any longer than necessary."
He was smiling. Sally couldn't believe it. 'The heartless pig' she thought to herself. Still, it was no concern of hers any more. He was the next of kin and it was his responsibility. Let him get on with it.
"I suppose you'll have to spend the day getting the funeral arranged," Anne said, trying to be as polite as she could.
"It's all done," he answered. "I telephoned the vicar as soon as I heard and he's agreed to bury her next Monday." With that, he wished them all a 'Good Morning' and went inside.
"Is that the nephew?" Brian asked Sally.
"Yes. I hate him. He's never been to see her and the minute she dies, he can't get hold of her things quick enough."
"It's only the second time I've ever seen him," Anne said. "He came to see me when he wanted to get her the budgie and I've never set eyes on him since."
"That's a thing," said Sally. "What about Bobby?"
"That's his responsibility now, I suppose." Anne replied, nodding her head towards the front door. "The budgie will be part of her estate. Let's go and have a cup of tea. Wendy hasn't gone home yet. She was waiting to see if you came in."
They all then walked into the home and went to the kitchen where Alice had just made a pot of tea. Sally, Brian and Wendy sat there for almost an hour, talking about Jessie. Finally, Wendy decided that she had to go home to bed, so they all left. Alan was outside talking to Anne when they walked to the car.
Anne was smiling when she looked at Sally. "Alan has asked if Bobby can stay here. I don't see any reason why not. I told him how we often have him in the lounge and he suggested that we keep him."
"Lovely," said Sally in a toneless voice. Secretly she was happy that something of Jessie's was staying behind. She just didn't want that man to witness her enthusiasm.
He didn't notice her tone and spoke to her as she was getting into the car. "I've told Matron that I'll let her know what time the funeral is. I hope you can come."
"Thank you," she said maintaining her tone. "I'll be there."
* * * * * * * * * *
The day before the funeral Sally had received a telephone call from Hoffman's, the solicitors in town.
"Mr Hoffman has asked me to telephone you about the late Mrs Wilson," a secretary with a squeaky voice had said.
"Yes? What about her?"
"Will you be attending the funeral?"
"Yes."
"He's asked me to find out from people if, after the funeral, they could go back to Marymount nursing home. Mr Hoffman would like to speak to them and he's asked me to telephone you with the same request."
"Well, I'll be at Marymount anyway, because I'll be going back to work."
"Fine. I'll tell him. Thank you and good bye."
Sally had been surprised at the telephone call and was even more so when she discovered that Anne, Alice, Wendy and Barbara had also received the same request.
* * * * * * * * * *
Anne had arranged an agency nurse to stand in while she had attended the funeral with the other members of staff. The first thing which she did when they all returned to the home was to find her and check that everything was fine. Ethel, Jessie's sister in law had returned with them, at Mr Hoffman's request and so Anne agreed to take her and seat her in the lounge.
Sally went to the kitchen with Wendy and Brian to see Alice, who had not been able to attend the service. Afternoon tea had been arranged between Mr Hoffman and Anne and Alice had not felt happy leaving it to anyone else to prepare. So she had reluctantly stayed behind. She was pouring boiling water into 2 large teapots when the others walked in. She looked up at them as the kettle emptied.
"You're back then," she remarked. "Was it a nice service?"
"It was lovely," Wendy answered as she sat down at the kitchen table and lit up a cigarette. She wondered to herself how something so sad could be classed as 'lovely'. "We sang 'Abide with me' and 'All Things Bright and Beautiful' and the vicar did a lovely little talk. Yes, it really was a nice service."
"I'll take these into the lounge," said Sally, picking up the tea pots and walking out of the kitchen. "Is there anything else that needs taking in?"
"No. That's fine thank you, dear. What have I told you about smoking in here? I sometimes think I waste my breath." Alice removed her white overall to reveal rather a nice dress underneath.
"You're looking smart," Wendy said, desperate to change the subject. "I've never seen you done up like that before." She then stubbed the cigarette out in a saucer.
"I just thought that this once, I could make the effort. Has that nephew of hers come back with you?" choosing to ignore Wendy's actions.
"Yes, he followed us," Brian answered. "I think he's gone into the lounge with Ethel. Is she his Aunt as well?"
"No. No relation, really, I suppose," Wendy replied. "Ethel is Jessie's husbands sister and Alan is Jessie's brother's son. Does that make sense?"
"Yes, I think we've got that," said Alice, so they all stood up and followed Sally into the lounge.
Alice had made a special effort in preparing the tea. Apparently Jessie had left some money for that purpose and so the budget was rather better than it would normally have been. The array of quiches, pies and sandwiches was quite spectacular.
Sally looked across the room at Mr Hoffman who was desperately trying to increase Bobby's vocabulary. Not knowing the man she didn't feel able to just walk up to him and strike up a conversation. While she was thinking about whether or not Bobby would be a good ice breaker, she lost her opportunity. Alan walked across to the solicitor and started talking to him, so she went back to the food table and filled Brian's plate. Then she went around and checked that the residents, some of who were sitting quite bemused with the situation, had full plates.
"This is it," she said to several. "Alice isn't doing any more cooking today, so make the most of it."
* * * * * * * * * *
The tapping of a teaspoon on a saucer caught their attention. Mr Hoffman's secretary was standing in the middle of the room smiling at everyone.
"Can you all take a seat, please?" she asked, in her squeaky voice. Mr Hoffman was sitting in Jessie's old chair, in the bay window, from where he had a commanding view of everyone in the room. Alan had promptly carried an armchair across the room and sat down beside him, surveying all and sundry and smiling.
"Now I'm sure that you know the reason I've asked you here today," Mr Hoffman began. "Mrs Wilson has, as would be expected, left a will and as it involves quite a few of you, I thought the easiest thing would be to gather everyone together and get it over with."
Alan was starting to irritate Sally. He was sitting there, looking like the cat who had got the cream. When she thought of how much he deserved, she felt that he had no right to be there.
"I thought I would start with Mrs Wilson's individual bequests," Mr Hoffman continued and unfolding a piece of A4 paper, he started to read. Jessie had left £25 to each of the residents in the home. Those that could understand what Mr Hoffman was saying, smiled gratefully.
"That was very nice of her," Sally whispered to Wendy.
Mr Hoffman then went on to say that Wendy, Alice and Anne had been left the sum of £100 each. They looked around at each other, smiling.
"That'll come in handy," Alice said to Sally, smiling. "It will go towards my holiday." "Yes, it will," she replied. She hadn't heard her name mentioned. But she also hadn't heard Helen's or Barbara's. Still, she really didn't mind. Jessie had given her most pleasure when she had been alive.
"To my sister in law, Ethel Dean, I leave the sum of £1000."
Everyone in the room looked at Ethel and smiled, but she didn't seem too happy. This was obviously Jessie's way of getting her own back as she had always felt that Ethel had let her down in her hour of need.
"To my nephew, Alan Jones," Mr Hoffman continued to read, "I leave the sum of £2000 on the understanding that he tends the grave of myself and my husband for as long as he is able."
The blood drained from Alan's face and when Sally looked round at Wendy, they both struggled to stop themselves from laughing.
"And that's £1,999 more than he deserves," Alice whispered to Sally.
Alan made no bones about his disappointment and loudly said to Mr Hoffman, "I think you'll find there's been a mistake. My Aunt's estate amounted to far more than £4,750" He'd obviously been totting it up in his head, with each announcement.
"There's been no mistake," Mr Hoffman said. "Your aunt did indeed leave a considerable estate. £326,450 to be exact."
Everyone gasped at the amount. Nobody had thought for a moment that Jessie was on the bread line but no one had any idea how much she'd been worth. Sally looked again at Wendy who was going very red in a desperate attempt to keep a straight face. But what Mr Hoffman said next was the final straw.
"The residue of my estate," he read, "I leave to Bobby, my budgerigar."
There was uproar. Alan protested that that could not be done. Then he tried to reason that because he had bought his aunt the budgerigar, it was automatically his. Wendy gave in and burst out laughing at his total and utter disappointment and greed. Everyone in the room turned and looked at her. Mr Hoffman called for quiet.
The teaspoon tapping on the saucer again brought a further silence to the room. Mr Hoffman looked over the top of his spectacles at everyone then looked Alan straight in the eyes. "Sadly, Mr Roberts, Bobby is not your property. You gave him to your aunt as a gift and she has made provision for him. There is one final bequest that she has made and I quote: 'To Sally Evans, for all her kindness and attention, I leave Bobby."
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