Page 34 of Escape to the Country

I hated to see her so down at the moment. I knew it wouldn’t be forever but she was so fed up with not being able to get up and about as much as she could before without the use of crutches. Hopefully when she started her physio sessions soon, it would see her on the mend and recuperating fully. I decided that perhaps I should pop over and see her later; even if we just watched TV together, it was company for her.

Although I lived on a farm, it was still nice to get out and about, so I decided to take Baxter for a walk in the forest. The rattle of his lead alerted him to the fact that he was going out for a walk and he bounced up and down on his back legs in excitement. Dogs were simple creatures and just wanted to be fed, loved and walked. Maybe a belly rub every now and again. I didn’t think I wanted much more than that these days, to tell the truth.

I chatted along to Baxter as we drove along. I was sure people might think I was loopy, however I presumed other dog parents did this too. It was a beautifully sunny day, although still a little nippy out of the sun, and I was glad that these days I always left a lightweight body warmer in the back of the car. I was constantly in jeans and hoody tops these days instead of smart suits, and I was never caught out without one pocket full of dog treats and the other full of poo bags. Oh the glamour!

The forest was quiet as we got out of the car and we walked for miles. As we headed up an incline, deep into the forest, I stopped to take photos on my phone every so often so that I could show Alice just how fine Baxter was. The light was shining through the tall trees and the photos looked gorgeous. I chatted away to him, inane rubbish, taking in the stunning countryside around me; something I’d not really noticed for a long time.

From the higher ground, you could see for miles. I supposed when you worked all the time and had a company car, there was no need to walk anywhere so you missed out on lots of beautiful things along the way. I’d not been a good sleeper for years but I already knew that the fresh air I was getting from playing with the dogs at work, and getting out into the allotment when I could, was definitely helping me sleep better at night.

There was a memorial bench at the end of a tree-lined avenue, so I decided to take a break and got a bottle of water out of my rucksack with a pop-up bowl and gave Baxter a drink. He was panting like crazy.

The bench had an inscription on it. I ran my hands over the brass plate as I read the words:

Christine Robinson 1936–2006

Beloved mother and wife.

Missed every day. Forever in our hearts.

I wondered about Christine Robinson, who she was and what sort of a person she’d been. It sounded like her family adored her and I felt quite sad thinking that I’d lost a chance at being a mum and might never get the chance again.

I closed my eyes and lifted my head to the sun while I thought about her. Footsteps brought me back to the present and Baxter started to bark lightly. A pretty thirty-something lady and her dog were walking over to the bench.

‘May I join you?’

‘Of course.’ I shuffled across to make some room, and I stroked Baxter who went up to the lovely Labradoodle and sniffed his bum.

‘Beautiful day, isn’t it?’ She smiled at the dogs. ‘Good job people don’t behave like that, isn’t it?’

‘It sure is. Breaks the ice though, I suppose.’ We both laughed.

‘I was just sitting here wondering about the lady who the bench is dedicated to.’

‘Well, I might be able to clear that up for you. Christine Robinson was the loveliest lady you could ever imagine.’

‘Oh wow! You knew her?’ Madison asked.

‘My mum.’

I really didn’t know what to say, and there was a long pause before she spoke again. ‘I like to walk my dog Becks and come and sit on this bench and chat away to her when I need to be close to her.’

‘Oh, I’m so sorry. Let me go and leave you to it.’

‘No, please don’t. Do stay. We had a bench put here so that other people could enjoy it too. I’m a big believer in everything happening for a reason, and there must be a reason why you are here on the bench today, and you look a bit sad, if you don’t mind me saying. Sorry, I’m very forward, aren’t I? My ex-husband always used to say that I’m way too overfamiliar with people I’ve just met. Good job my second husband doesn’t feel the same way. I’m Grace, by the way. And this is Becks.’

‘Maddy, and my buddy Baxter. It’s nice to meet you, Grace.’

‘You too, Maddy, and I do hope I haven’t offended you by saying that you looked sad.’

‘No, not at all. I just have a lot on my mind, to be honest.’

‘Want to talk about it? Or would you rather not?’

‘I’ve met up with my ex recently, and he wants us to get back together, both at work and at home.’

‘And what is your heart telling you to do?’

Breathing deeply, I sighed. ‘I really don’t know.’

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