Learning to Dance Again Read Free Page B

urgent whispered plea to God.
     

3
     
     
    Duncan’s mother , Alice, was a resident of St Ninian’s, the care home Julia used to manage. Julia had seen her mother-in-law almost every day for the last few years at work, and had continued to visit her frequently after she had resigned. Not that Alice ever noticed. She was suffering from the advanced stages of dementia and did not recognise anyone. But Julia remembered Alice as the kind-hearted energetic woman she had been years ago, and was determined to make sure her last days were comfortable.
    Julia opened the front door to the care home, setting off the automated alarm as she did so. Marianne stuck her head out from her office to see who had arrived. When she saw it was Julia she grinned and came out to meet her.
    ‘ I was going to ring you this very minute. How’s Duncan getting on today?’
    ‘I haven’t really heard from him apart from one quick text this morning to say it’s been great so far, but he’s knackered and can’t wait for home time.’
    ‘Poor love; he will find it tiring at first. Still, at least it’s not long to go until the summer holidays. My lasses are already counting down the weeks.’
    Julia sat in one of the arm chairs in the office and glanced around quickly, noticing the many changes Marianne had made since she had taken over as manager. The office seemed more colourful, with the addition of some plants, pictures and a collection of porcelain sheep that had somehow migrated from Marianne’s home to her office. Julia picked up a black sheep and smiled, before putting it back.
    ‘How’s Alice today?’
    ‘Hmm, that’s the other thing I was going to ring you about. She had a very poor night. She was crying a lot and calling out for her mother. She seems to be in a bit of discomfort, so we gave her some meds and it settled her a little; but we haven’t been able to take her to the day-room for a few days now.’
    ‘That’s not good; I’ll get Duncan to come along and see her tonight. I don’t think it will be long now, do you?’
    Marianne shook her head sadly.
    ‘I’ll go in see her. Are you busy just now?’
    ‘No; I’ll come too.’
    They walked along the corridor to Alice’s room. The bedroom curtains were partially drawn and Alice was curled up in her bed like a baby. The cot sides were up and one frail hand gripped the bar. She was muttering to herself.
    ‘Hello Alice,’ Julia said , ‘how are you? Duncan’s back at work. I think he’s enjoying it so far. Isn’t that super?’
    Julia smiled at Marianne as she spoke. They knew Alice was oblivious to what was being said, but it had always been their policy to be cheerful and chatty with their residents, regardless of their ability to communicate. Who really knew what it was like to suffer from dementia after all?
    Marianne went over to the window a nd opened the curtains a little to let in some light. Julia sat down on the chair next to the bed and reached out to put her hand over Alice’s. It was cool to the touch, so she took Alice’s hand in both of hers to warm it. Alice opened her eyes and stared vacantly at Julia. Julia smiled, wishing her mother-in-law could hear the good news about Duncan, although thankfully she had never even known her son was ill. Alice had lost her eldest son Martin in a car accident when he was fifteen, and her husband had died four years after that. She had had more than her fair share of heartbreak already.
    ‘So, are you going to apply for that job then?’ Marianne said.
    ‘I don’t think so. Duncan thinks I should wait until after the summer before looking for another job . He wants us to have a long holiday together. He’s decided he wants to take me to Sicily this summer, for a second honeymoon.’
    ‘Nice! Did you watch that programme last nigh t?’
    ‘That’s what inspired him. He wants to see what life is like on a hot sunny island.’
    ‘Don’t we all? I’m sick of this sodding cold and rain. It’s the middle