Remembering Ellie, page 14
If she’d been candid with Phil, Ellie would have admitted to being nervous about driving to Cromer. As far as she was aware, Norfolk wasn’t a county she’d visited before. Her parents’ preferred holiday destinations were further south, usually Cornwall or Devon. A hundred and eighty miles was a long journey to embark upon so soon after her accident, especially with Sam to entertain, but she would stop as often as necessary and hope he slept for much of the journey.
The little boy loved being in the car and gurgled happily as Ellie strapped him into his car seat in the back, chewing at his toy rabbit. For his birthday, his grandparents had bought him a toy steering wheel with knobs and a horn which fitted onto the back of the front passenger seat. He squealed when he saw it and patted his hand on the horn.
‘Oh, Sam, you’ll drive Mummy crazy if you do that all the way to Cromer.’ She kissed her son and jumped into the driving seat to set off on their little adventure.
The first part of the journey passed quickly, the M18 being relatively quiet at that time of day. The plan hadn’t particularly been to avoid the rush-hour traffic – Ellie just wanted to get away – but she was grateful for how it worked out. Sam nodded off soon after they entered the motorway, and they covered a good third of their journey before he woke, in need of food and a nappy change.
It was the first of only three stops, unhurried breaks which her son appeared to enjoy. Ellie bought a coffee and pastry for herself in the service station and a carton of juice for Sam, and they sat in a window seat, the little boy eagerly eating the sandwich she’d made earlier, followed by a strawberry yoghurt, his favourite, and slices of apple.
Singing nursery rhymes helped to pass the next stage of their journey, mother and son enthusiastically joining in with the words to his favourite CD, ‘The Wheels on the Bus’.
Ellie found Norfolk to be enchanting, very green and flat, with the roads, although narrow in places, relatively easy to navigate, especially with help from her satnav. Sam slept again, causing her to wonder what kind of night she might suffer as a consequence of so much daytime napping but it was the least of her worries.
During their last stop, Ellie rang Rosie to update her on their progress and was relieved her friend still sounded enthusiastic about their visit. The thought crossed her mind that Rosie’s invitation might have been issued on impulse and she might now regret it, but the excitement in her friend’s voice reassured her otherwise.
Cromer itself was a delightful town and Ellie immediately felt drawn into its welcoming atmosphere. The charming brick-built Victorian houses gave the distinct impression of stepping back into the 1900s as she drove down MacDonald Road, heading towards the sea and Rosie’s home. The salty tang in the air was refreshing after their long journey, and Ellie drove with the windows open, taking in welcome gulps of the energising air, her son relatively quiet now as he gazed from the window in awe of the unfamiliar surroundings.
‘You’re going to love it here, Sam. Auntie Rosie has two little boys for you to play with, and we can go to the beach every day!’ As if he understood, Sam, who’d begun to grizzle during the last leg of their journey, suddenly smiled, kicked his legs and chattered away in his own unique language as at last they pulled up outside Rosie’s home.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Rosie’s Victorian terraced house was three storeys high, rendered and washed in a calm, cream paint with a magnificent bay window and a small forecourt crammed with an abundance of summer blooms. A hanging basket dripped with fuchsia, geraniums and surfinia, and two huge terracotta pots spilt their display of flowers on either side of the front door, providing a fragrant welcome for the two weary visitors.
Rosie was outside to greet them before Ellie managed to lift the cases from the boot, and the two women hugged warmly, the years since they’d met dissolving with the pleasure of being together again. She’d almost forgotten how much she’d always loved her quiet, gentle friend – Rosie’s character was a complete contrast to the more outgoing and sometimes abrasive Fran, and it was so good to see her again.
‘It’s like moving house each time you go anywhere, isn’t it?’ Rosie laughed as she grabbed a case and several bags. ‘Come in, come in!’ The heartfelt pleasure in her voice brought welcome relief to Ellie – her friend wanted her there – it was going to be all right.
It was 7pm and Ellie was surprised to realise their journey had taken nearly seven hours although frequent stops made it a more pleasant experience than she’d anticipated. After dumping the bags at the bottom of the staircase, she pulled out her phone and scrolled down to find Phil’s number.
‘Sorry about this, Rosie, but he’ll worry if I don’t let him know we’re here safely.’
‘Of course, I’ll get the kettle on.’ She tactfully moved away towards what must be the kitchen. Ellie kept the call brief, Sam chattered to his daddy more than she did, and with promises to Skype the next day, she ended the call and headed in the direction Rosie had disappeared. A delicious meaty aroma led her to the kitchen, one of many rooms in this delightful, rambling house. Sam appeared to be fascinated with his new surroundings, as was his mother; it was spacious and beautiful with period features, yet a contemporary feel everywhere. Rosie was pouring boiling water into a huge teapot.
‘Tea all right?’ she offered.
‘Wonderful.’
‘I put the boys to bed – thought it better to keep them in routine and we can get you two settled in before the meeting of the toddlers! Tom’s at a partners’ meeting but should be home by 9pm.’ Rosie turned her attention to Sam and grinned at his solemn little face. ‘Now then, young man, have you enjoyed your long ride in the car?’
Ellie, who’d flopped, exhausted onto a chair by the kitchen table, jiggled him on her knee, and he turned shyly into her shoulder. ‘This is an imposter, Rosie – the real Sam is much more outgoing and somewhat mischievous at times, wait and see. I suppose he’s tired. It’s been a long day.’
‘Well, whenever you’re ready I’ll show you to your room. Do you want that warming?’
Ellie had pulled out Sam’s bedtime bottle and gratefully passed it to her friend to warm. Soon the baby was sucking happily away, his eyes fluttering as sleep slowly claimed him. When he’d finished his bottle, they took him upstairs, where Ellie changed his nappy and his clothes as Rosie carried the rest of her things upstairs.
‘What a beautiful room, oh, Rosie, I’m so happy to be here!’ A spacious coastal-themed room was furnished with a double bed, a cot, prettily painted furniture and blue-and-white-striped curtains. Delicately patterned wallpaper completed the room with tiny sprigs of forget-me-nots, somewhat ironic, she thought. Rosie certainly possessed good taste. From the open window, the sea was visible, its saltiness refreshing and exciting.
‘Thank you for inviting me, Rosie. It means a lot to be able to get away for a few days.’ Her friend’s kindness suddenly overcame Ellie, and as she lowered a sleepy Sam into the cot, there were tears in her eyes.
‘Hey, I’m delighted you wanted to come – you’re more than welcome, anytime.’ Rosie gave her a warm hug before leading the way back downstairs, leaving Sam already snoring contentedly.
‘Rosie, have I met Tom?’ The question had been troubling her during the journey and once back in the kitchen she dared to ask.
‘Oh, Ellie, yes, you have met him. You were my matron of honour when we married! I’m sorry, I hadn’t fully appreciated just how difficult this must be for you, but you two got on like a house on fire. My husband has a rather quirky sense of humour and you both seemed to hit it off well.’
Ellie nodded, so it seemed she wasn’t meeting Tom for the first time. ‘And what about you? Tell me what you’ve been doing since sixth form.’
‘Sixth form? Goodness, is that your last memory, you poor thing! Well, after A levels, I went to Norwich University Hospital to train as a nurse where I spent some of the happiest and most certainly the busiest years of my life. At the end of the course, I’d shed two stones and gained a husband, which is quite a bargain, I’d say! We were both in our final year when we met. Tom had been there for five years to my three. Almost from day one of meeting him I knew he was the one – yes, corny, I know!’ Rosie paused and looked at Ellie, rolling her eyes. ‘After that, I didn’t return to York. Tom’s family are all in Norfolk and I fell in love with the area, so when a GP vacancy came up in Cromer, it was a simple decision, and there’ve never been any regrets. This house was on the market when we were looking for a place to buy, it was a guest house then, hence all the en-suite bedrooms, and we’ve spent the intervening years making it our own. Tom’s parents loaned us the money to buy it, we could never have afforded it ourselves, and since then, they’ve refused to let us pay a penny back.’ Rosie smiled as Ellie’s eyes widened. ‘Yes, I felt a little guilty at first but honestly, they’re loaded – pots of money, and as Tom’s their only child, they convinced us he’d only inherit it one day, so why not now? Some gift, eh? It’s meant we’ve been able to put all our money into getting the place just how we want it, a slow job at first as we were both working, and there are still things we’d like to do. The boys came along a year ago and now we live in happy chaos in our rambling old home.’
‘Twins though, was it a surprise or are they in the family?’
‘Neither, they’re the product of IVF.’
‘Oh, Rosie, sorry, I didn’t mean to pry.’ She instantly regretted her question, hoping she hadn’t hit a raw nerve.
‘It’s fine and certainly no secret. But biologically, they’re ours; my body just has problems conceiving naturally. The plan is to try IVF again in a year or two and pray it’s only one baby next time!’
Their conversation was interrupted by the sound of the front door opening, and a minute later, Tom appeared in the kitchen doorway.
‘Hi, Ellie!’ The curve of his smile lit up his face, and his height filled the doorway. Ellie returned the greeting, instantly drawn to her friend’s husband. Tom Appleby must have been all of six foot six tall and as thin as a rake. With high cheekbones, a square jawline and mischievous green eyes, his bony, angular appearance fitted together well, and Tom had the air of someone who was totally at ease with himself. Oh, how Ellie envied that.
‘What’s for supper? I’m starving.’ Tom kissed his wife on the cheek and nudged her gently towards the oven.
‘Honestly, I don’t know where you put all the food you eat. I only hope to goodness the boys don’t grow up with an appetite like yours.’ Rosie lifted a casserole dish from the oven and very soon the three of them were seated at the large kitchen table before plates of delicious beef and vegetables.
Ellie ate more than she’d managed in days. Her friends chatted about inconsequential things, including her in the conversation but not grilling her as to the accident or her condition since. It was precisely what she needed, no pressure. Inevitably their children became a topic for discussion, Sam being her favourite subject, and with their boys being so close in age, it was going to be fun watching how they would interact.
‘At this time of year, we’re at the beach almost every day, the boys absolutely love it, and as it’s literally just at the end of the road, it’s perfect. Perhaps we’ll go tomorrow?’ Rosie suggested.
‘Great, I’m sure Sam will love it too, and he adores other children; we go to the park almost every day just so he can play with them.’ Ellie yawned. ‘Oh, excuse me, all that driving must be catching up with me.’
‘If you’d like an early night, don’t think you have to stay up and be sociable, we quite understand – we’re not night owls ourselves. Tom has an early start on weekdays. We want your time here to be as relaxing as possible, so don’t feel under any pressure whatsoever. You’re here to rest and recuperate.’ Rosie smiled at her friend, and Ellie was so pleased she was there.
Ellie did leave her friends alone after the meal. She was weary and also concerned that her son might wake in an unfamiliar room and become upset. There’d be plenty of time tomorrow to talk some more and for the boys to get to know each other.
Sam was still snoring softly, his rosebud lips parted and moist. His mother stood for several minutes gazing down into his cot, her mind a jumble of emotions. Had she been a coward to run away from the uncertainty of her life? Whatever the rights and wrongs of being in Cromer, she knew it was only a time of respite. Sooner or later, Ellie would need to go home and face up to reality, whatever that reality might be.
Chapter Thirty
To her great surprise, Ellie slept soundly, with her son sleeping through the night beside her. As she opened the curtains, the room was flooded with morning sunlight, it was another lovely day. She stretched languidly and peered into Sam’s cot to smile at her little boy.
‘Good morning, sleepyhead,’ she greeted him. Sam chuckled, totally unperturbed at waking up in a different room, and playing contentedly with his toy rabbit. Waking beside her child was a new experience for Ellie, and she relished being with him from the outset of the day. Lifting him from the cot, she carried him into the en-suite bathroom, stripped off his night-clothes and gave him a good sponge down before dressing him in clean clothes. Popping a sweeter-smelling baby back into the cot with a few more toys, Ellie left the adjoining door open so her son could see her while she took a quick shower. Once dressed, they headed downstairs to where the noise told them the family were already up and about.
‘Good morning, everyone.’ Ellie smiled at the scene of domesticity before her. Two matching high chairs stood at one end of the table, holding two matching boys with Weetabix faces and huge grins. They were the image of their daddy, and both looked up to see who the interlopers were.
‘Morning, Ellie, morning, Sam.’ Rosie smiled. ‘Meet Alex and Luke. Boys, this is Auntie Ellie and Sam.’ There was a moment of silence as the three boys stared at each other, and then Sam made a bid to escape from his mother’s arms, kicking his legs and reaching out to these new potential playmates. There were smiles all around as Rosie continued to spoon Weetabix into her sons’ mouths, and Tom poured Ellie a mug of coffee.
‘Being waited on won’t last long. After breakfast you’re one of the family so feel free to pour my coffee in future. It’s every man for himself in the Appleby household, especially at mealtimes.’ He offered toast which she accepted as she settled her son in the third high chair and pushed it near the twins.
‘Hi, Alex, hi, Luke. This is Sam; he loves Weetabix too,’ Ellie said. Luke very kindly reached over and offered him a fistful of the mushy cereal, a sign of happy times ahead.
‘I’m afraid you’ll have to butter your own toast; morning surgery starts at 8am, and I need to be on my way. Have a good day, ladies. I can’t wait to hear all about it tonight.’ With his trademark grin, Tom kissed Rosie and the twins, then left the women and children to it.
After a long lazy breakfast, Ellie helped to clear away then Rosie took her on the promised tour of the house. Exactly how much love and energy had been committed to making every space work for them was apparent. Originally the guest house boasted six double bedrooms with en suites and two singles. Tom had knocked two rooms together to make a fantastic master bedroom in which Rosie worked her magic with the décor. A different pastel colour adorned each of the rooms with pretty accessories completing each unique look. The second single room was now a study, and the boys occupied the room nearest to their parents, which still left masses of space for visitors.
‘It’s great to be able to have family and friends to stay whenever we want – we love having visitors,’ Rosie enthused. ‘And you’re welcome to stay as long as you wish; we’re going to have such fun.’ Her confidence and positivity were infectious, making Ellie feel so welcome.
The rooms downstairs were equally spacious, the huge bay window at the front of the house fitted with a plush window seat where Ellie could imagine sitting, watching people of every description making their way to the beach and back. The whole of Cromer would possibly pass by this window at some time, not to mention the many visitors who swelled the population at holiday times.
A cosy playroom lit up Sam’s eyes. He was keen to explore every inch and every toy but was watched warily by Luke and Alex. They moved back into the kitchen and sat again at the table, lowering their respective offspring onto the giant rug to play.
‘The kitchen was perhaps the biggest project and the most expensive. It was a rather ugly utilitarian, stainless-steel affair when we moved in, no character, just pure business, so we made this our priority.’ Rosie grinned. It was most certainly the heart of the home, a great space with modern units, a range and the obligatory family table. There was a large squashy sofa at the far end of the room with a bright rug in front of it and two boxes of toys, an ideal place for the twins to play while Rosie cooked. Two alcoves framed the far end of the room with large painted dressers fitted snugly into the recesses, housing collections of pretty china. Ellie felt completely comfortable, not only in such beautiful surroundings but also in her friend’s welcoming presence. For the first time in days, her body and mind relaxed, as if her problems were being pushed aside and no longer greedily grabbing at her from every direction, consuming all her time and energy.
‘The biggest compromise is the garden, or rather the lack of it.’ Rosie continued her history of their occupancy. ‘We’d have liked something bigger, but with the beach on our doorstep and oodles of space inside, it’s not a major problem.’ Ellie adored the little walled courtyard garden, again awash with colourful containers yet still with space for the boys to play. She could picture them in a few months’ time pedalling around the paved courtyard on their tricycles. It was perfect. Rosie completed the grand tour and so obviously loved telling the story of their home.
