Page 11 of A Found Family at the Cornish Country Hospital

‘You’ll be up dancing before you know it.’ Aidan was the sort of person who radiated optimism and he refused to let Christine get downcast. ‘If you have got osteoporosis then you’ve got to use it to your advantage. Tell Robert there’ll be no more fishing trips with his buddies; he’s got to take you somewhere with plenty of sunshine, where you can get your fill of vitamin D.’

‘Not to mention the calcium.’ Isla smiled at the blank looks on their faces. ‘There are plenty of cocktails containing cream, and a nice white Russian in the sunshine could be just what the doctor ordered.’

‘Or at least the doctor will pretend she didn’t hear that!’ Danni laughed, but the smile had slid off Christine’s face.

‘Oh my God! Robert’s on his way back from a fishing trip, but he won’t he home until late this evening. And my daughter and son-in-law are away for their wedding anniversary. I’ve got the kids tonight, and I’m supposed to be picking Joel and Freddie up from their match at Jury Park in Padstow. I need to be there by five.’

‘We could go and get them for you.’ Isla’s grandfather looked towards his wife, who nodded. ‘It’ll be a bit of a squeeze for them in the back of the Micra, but I’m sure they won’t mind.’

‘I said I’d give two of the other boys a lift home as well, and it’s our turn to wash the kit.’ Christine tried to sit up, forcing Isla to gently rest a hand on her shoulder.

‘Sorry to butt in, but as luck would have it, yesterday we traded in Aidan’s old car for a seven-seater.’ Jase, who’d been standing on the edge of the group, crouched down beside her. ‘I know Joel and Freddie from school, and probably the other boys too. I can pick them up and take them to our place, or stay with them at yours until Robert gets home.’

‘That’s great, but what about getting Christine to hospital?’ Isla looked at Danni.

‘Esther’s just texted to say that the St John Ambulance team are going to take her. It’ll be a lot more comfortable than a car, and much quicker than waiting for an ambulance, given that she won’t be a priority.’

‘It sounds like the perfect solution then, Christine, what do you think?’ Jase was still looking down at her.

‘I bet that’s the last thing you want to do on your day off, spend it chauffeuring around the kids you have to put up with all week.’

‘They’re the ones who have to put up with me.’ Jase smiled. ‘And it’ll be great to hear how they got on. From what I gather, the Three Ports under-tens are in with a good chance of finishing at the top of the league this year.’

‘At least you stake a claim in one trophy this summer then, Christine, because judging by the shouts coming from the track, the A&E team are about to win the relay race too!’ Aidan dropped a kiss on her forehead. ‘But if you’re a very good girl and follow the doctor’s orders, we’ll let you have a look at our trophy.’

‘I told you not to make me laugh.’ Christine couldn’t seem to help it. ‘I might have a ridiculous injury as my only souvenir of the day, but I’ll never forget how kind you’ve all been either.’

By the time Gwen got up to announce the winners of the sports day competition, Christine was already on her way to hospital.

‘You might all be wondering why I’m dressed like this.’ Gwen made the fact she was wearing what appeared to be a giant cockroach costume sound matter-of-fact. ‘Well, I promised you that there would be a forfeit for anyone caught cheating, or not making an effort with the dress code today. As no one deserved that punishment, I thought it was only right that I should be the one to wear the costume, but after today, I’ll be donating it to the sexual health clinic as I promised.’

‘I thought it was a cockroach, but do you think it’s supposed to be?—’

Isla cut Aidan off before he could finish his sentence. ‘I don’t even want to think about what it’s supposed to be.’

‘After a very eventful day, I’ve got some announcements.’ Gwen paused as a murmur went around the crowd. ‘First and foremost, I’m delighted to tell you that our lovely Christine is going to be absolutely fine, but I’m also thrilled to say that the winners of the inaugural sports day are the team from A&E!’

Even though they’d known they were going to win, the cheer that went up from the A&E team was deafening. Zahir, as self-elected captain, went up first to collect the trophy, with the rest of his team following on behind. He did a good job of hiding his disappointment at narrowly finishing in second place to Chooky, who was the individual winner overall. He’d been muttering earlier about raising a protest over how the results had been calculated, but he was probably too worried about ending up in the cockroach costume to say anything to Gwen. The A&E team had also had another victory, with Aidan taking the prize for worst-dressed participant.

‘Now that we have our sports day winners, we’re just waiting for the final players in the golf tournament to finish their rounds, and then we can announce the tournament champions too.’ Gwen addressed the crowd again, when the A&E team finally finished their slightly over-the-top celebrations. ‘I hope you’ll join me in the clubhouse, where more refreshments are available, to come and hear the results. If not, thank you so much for your support today, and don’t forget there are buckets by the gate for any last-minute donations you want to make to the Friends of St Piran’s appeal fund. Every penny raised will go to making our local hospital the best it can possibly be.’

‘Are you coming up to the clubhouse?’ Aidan turned towards Isla. ‘Zahir has promised to buy the first two rounds for being such a dictator, emphasis on the first syllable. And Gary and Amy have already challenged the physios to a shot-drinking contest, so I’ve got a feeling the competition is far from over. Isaid I’d wait for Jase to come and pick me up anyway, so I might as well make an evening of it.’

‘Yes, I’ll be up in a bit, I just want to have a word with my grandparents and see what they’re planning to do.’ Isla touched his arm briefly. ‘I’ll catch you up.’

‘Great and I’ll order you the most expensive drink they do, seeing as Zahir is paying.’

‘See you in a minute.’ Isla turned away from him and headed over to where her grandparents were chatting with Gwen, who was still acting as though wearing a cockroach costume was an everyday occurrence.

‘Oh hello sweetheart. How are you?’ Grandpa Bill planted a kiss on her cheek, before she even had the chance to answer.

‘It’s been great fun.’ Isla smiled at Gwen. ‘I knew it would be with you organising it.’

‘And I knew the A&E department were going to win too.’ Gwen gave her a knowing look. ‘Although, from what I could make out, Zahir wasn’t giving you a lot of choice.’

‘I’ve never seen him like that, he’s usually so mild-mannered and easy-going.’ Isla laughed. ‘His excuse was that he grew up with four sisters, who tried to beat him at every game ever invented, which made him develop a competitive streak. And now he can’t turn it off. Better than winning, I’m just glad that Christine is going to be okay.’

‘I was so proud watching you.’ Isla’s grandmother slipped an arm around her waist. ‘I always try to imagine what you’re like at work, but today I got to see you in action.’

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