Page 17 of Escape to the Country

Kissing Beth on the head, and saying goodbye to everyone, I left her with her family and went home to my flat. Walking through the door, and placing my handbag on the coffee table in the lounge, I looked around and I realised again that it didn’t have any warmth or depth as a home. It was very minimalistic and almost clinical. Probably because I didn’t spend much time there, but staying over at Mum’s, even though I’d only done so on the night I was made redundant, had made me feel a little bit differently. I loved the laughter I felt every time I walked through the front door of Giddywell Grange.

Mum’s house, my childhood home and the place I would always call home, was warm and cosy, with photos everywhere celebrating the hundreds of wonderful memories that we’d made throughout the years. I suddenly realised that perhaps it was time for me to make some changes in my life after all. Perhaps the time had come for me to move out of this ultra modern apartment and move into something a little bit more homely. Perhaps I needed a new start somewhere fresh. I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to see what was around. Maybe it was my time to start a new chapter.

* * *

The next day was a day mainly of office work. There were lots of bookings to organise and people to show around as it was well into the summer holiday period now and people were booking last-minute holidays then desperately trying to find places to look after their dogs. I always wondered whether you booked the holiday first then tried to sort somewhere for your dog, or sorted the dog out first and booked your holiday around them. The phone was ringing non-stop. It was clearly a thriving business and tons of people were ringing up to see whether we did grooming too. I needed to mention that to Beth when she was feeling up to it. Maybe she could get a groomer in, or Beth could even get trained up, although I doubted whether she’d have the time. Russell and Uncle Tom did most of the exercise sessions and cleaning the kennels out. I was shattered that night and soaked for ages in the bath after pouring in a hefty slug of Jo Malone English Pear and Freesia bubble bath, because I was sure I smelled of disinfectant. Then I fell into bed and was asleep within minutes.

* * *

The next morning, when I arrived at the library, I was given an address, not too far from my own actually, a ground floor apartment in a trendy block the other side of the waterside complex that I lived in, and a sealed box to take with me. I was really curious to know what was inside but Rebecca just said it was some ‘stuff’ to give to Mr Parkes.

Bearing in mind that the last couple I visited were both ninety-six, I was most surprised when I knocked on the door of No 7 Chase View and was greeted by a strikingly handsome man peering at me from under a mop of surfer-dude-style golden curls. Perfectly groomed stubble framed the face of an angel, with piercing green eyes. He was smartly dressed in jeans and a sage green jumper, which matched his eyes perfectly. The last thing I noticed about him was that he was in a wheelchair. ‘Hi, I’m Stuart.’ He held out his hand. ‘You must be Maddy. Rebecca told me that you’d be popping along today.’

I smiled. ‘I am indeed.’ He turned and spun the chair round and wheeled down his hallway towards a modern kitchen, which had clearly been adapted for a wheelchair user. I placed the box on the kitchen table and asked if it would be OK there.

‘Sure. You’ll stay for a drink?’ It was more of a statement than a question and I nodded, mesmerised by his handsome face. There was something that I couldn’t quite put my finger on about him though. He didn’t seem to look me in the eye.

‘I presume that’s a yes.’ Stuart wheeled over towards the kettle on the side and seemed to feel his way across the work surface to the switch and felt around for the mug tree.

I realised at that point that Stuart was blind. Now it all made sense. I’d never come into contact really with anyone who was blind before. Not intentionally, but there was no one in my circle of contacts. I didn’t really know how to react; should I help or would that insult him? Would he want me to help, and then what if I didn’t offer? Oh crikey. How did I deal with this? Rebecca was really pushing my comfort zones today.

I decided to take the bull by the horns and offer to make the tea, and he smiled and said it would be lovely as he was forever scalding himself. He told me over a cuppa that he’d been injured in a car accident. When he woke up from a coma, he had discovered that not only was he never going to walk again, but that he had lost his sight. While his parents were normally around to help him, he had insisted that he could cope at home while they went on a week’s respite. His friend, Rebecca, said that she’d arrange for home visits to keep him occupied, and he had friends popping in all through the week to make sure he was managing.

‘It can get a bit boring, never getting out unless someone takes you, and it’s also quite tiring so it’s nice to have people popping in. Beth comes to see me a lot, she’s a great friend. And I can’t keep relying on my parents; they’re at a time of their life when they should be out and about enjoying their retirement, not going back to the toddler years being burdened with me.’

How awful for him to feel this way. I imagined going from being independent one minute to not being able to help yourself the next. It made me realise how much we take our health for granted.

‘Won’t be long though until I get my guide dog. He’s just going through his final training paces at the moment. I’m told it’ll give me a new lease of life and I can’t wait. I don’t like being blind, but there’s bugger all I can do about it so I have to make the most of everything, don’t I? I suppose it could have been worse. I might not be here at all.’

What a way to look at life. And here was me feeling sorry for myself just because I didn’t have a job any more. And even that wasn’t permanent, as I was sure I would be working again before long.

‘While you’re here, tell me what the weather is doing today, Maddy? I like to create and imagine a picture in my head.’

An idea began to form in my mind. I had time on my hands, and he needed someone with time. ‘It’s a beautiful, bright spring day, Stuart, blue sky, not a cloud in sight, the sun shining and warm enough to really feel it. I know we’ve only just met, but I don’t suppose you fancy a walk with me, do you? I have no real plans today and it would do me good to get out in the fresh air. We could even grab a bite to eat at the café in the middle of the complex. It’s coming up to lunchtime. Unless you have other plans that is, of course.’

‘You sound like you know the area pretty well, Maddy. How’s your wheelchair driving?’

I explained that I lived on the other side of the waterside, which only looked across the way but was a ten-minute drive. ‘Not sure, but if you fancy finding out, I’m happy to give it a go,’ I replied. ‘But please don’t be grumpy with me if you end up on the pavement!’

He laughed and I was glad he had such a great sense of humour. He wheeled into the hall to grab his jacket from the banister. ‘Come on then, what are you waiting for?’ He waited by the front door as I grabbed my coat from the back of one of the kitchen chairs and followed him down the hall. ‘Before we go, Maddy, I need to ask you something really personal.’

Oh god!I thought to myself.What the hell is coming next?

‘What colour is your hair?’ he asked.

‘Dark blonde with lighter highlights,’ I replied, relieved that his question wasn’t too difficult.

‘Nice. I think you are probably very pretty, Maddy. At the risk of sounding like a pervert, what are you wearing? And I don’t mean your under-crackers!’

I giggled. ‘Blue jeans, silver trainers, and a black leather jacket over a black t-shirt.’

‘OK, we can go now!’ He smiled. ‘I just wanted to know whether I need to be embarrassed or not to be seen out with you!’

I wish I knew what came over me when I bent close to his ear and whispered, ‘Oh, and I forgot to say. I’m wearing really sexy black underwear too.’

Stuart roared with laughter. ‘Oh, I like you already, girl.’

‘Glad to hear it,’ I replied. ‘Although the honest truth is that it’s a manky old greying bra and big granny knickers.’

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