Where Memories Are Made Read Free

had stripped off her clothes and redressed herself in a pair of Dan’s old pyjamas and his dressing gown. Drina managed to coax her into taking the odd bath, but Rhonnie had refused to allow Dan’s clothes to be washed, no matter how much Drina pleaded with her. Nor would Rhonnie allow her to launder the bedclothes. The clothes and the bedding still smelled of Dan, and for as long as that lasted Rhonnie felt he was still with her.
    If she wasn’t in bed, weeping into Dan’s pillow, Drina or Artie would find her huddled in his favourite armchair, clutching the teddy bear he had won at the fair on their very first date together. She spoke very little; conversation was limited to barely more than yes or no. It was doubtful she would bother to eat unless Drina stood over her and bullied her into at least a mouthful or two of the tempting meals that were made for her. Rhonnie had lost more weight than her previously slim figure allowed; she was beginning to look gaunt and hollow-eyed. She was locked in a deep, dark hole of despair. After a month of trying everything they could think of to help, the people who loved her had begun to despair of ever finding a way to rescue her.
    Tears were glinting in Drina’s eyes as she uttered, ‘Oh, Artie, why did Him up there have to pick on Dan when he had such a bright future ahead of him? It’s said God moves in mysterious ways but I defy anyone to understand just why, in His infinite wisdom, He saw fit to end the life of a good man like that. Dan will be missed dreadfully by all who knew him, and Rhonnie’s life is shattered into the bargain. Why couldn’t He have chosen any number of those who are nothing more than a blight on society?’
    Artie gave a shrug and sighed, ‘I don’t know, love. Only He can answer that, and I’m sure you’ll be tackling Him about it when your time comes.’
    Drina responded with conviction, ‘I certainly will be. I hope he’s got a good answer for me or else I will be questioning His so-called wisdom.’
    They both lapsed into silence for a while, each willing themself to think of something they hadn’t yet come up with to help Rhonnie on her road to recovery.
    Finally Drina said, ‘I think the time has come for us to be cruel to be kind, so to speak.’
    Artie frowned at her quizzically. ‘And by that you mean …?’
    She heaved a sigh. ‘Well, I very much fear that if we don’t take matters into our own hands, force Rhonnie into doing something by not taking no for an answer, we’ll end up burying her too.’
    His face ashen at the very thought, he said vehemently, ‘We can’t have that.’ He then looked dubiously at her. ‘So you’re suggesting we drag her out of the cottage bodily, are you?’
    â€˜Yes. Unless you can come up with another way to get Rhonnie dressed and out of the house? Even a walk round the garden would be a start.’ Drina frowned worriedly. ‘But that’s just it, isn’t it?’
    Artie pushed aside his half-eaten dinner. Drina had barely touched hers, he noticed. ‘What is, dear?’ he asked.
    â€˜Well, everywhere she looks there are happy memories of Dan, aren’t there? Constant reminders of her loss. The cottage where they lived together; the garden where they sat on a warm evening after work; the camp … well, every corner of that place holds memories of Dan for Rhonnie.’ Drina paused for a moment before she went on, ‘I think we need to get her well away from these constant reminders. It’s not that I expect her to forget him for one moment, but at least freed from memories of him around her she’ll be able to concentrate on accepting that there is a life for her without Dan in it.’
    Artie remembered his own loss. He nodded and said grimly, ‘When I lost Hilda, I faced the same problem. Rhonnie insisted that me moping round the house wasn’t