Page 77 of The Second Chance Supper Club

‘Just give us a second here, lads.’ The ambulance staff addressed the duo calmly as they reached the exit doors. A carer from the home was also close by, handing over a bag of personal essentials to the paramedic team. Manager Julie keeping pace a few steps behind.

Cath waited a short while, then followed them all out, keeping a respectful distance. She watched as they began to load the stretcher into the emergency vehicle.

Andreas calling, ‘Mama … I’m right here. Can I go in with her, please?’ He was pacing like a caged animal at the rear of the ambulance.

‘Yes, you will be able to,’ the paramedic’s answer came kindly. ‘Just give us a little space here for now.’

The wheels rolled up the ramp, then came a metallic clunking noise of the stretcher being secured. The paramedic speaking loudly, calmly, ‘We’re just making you comfortable here, Maria.’ Seconds ticked away and yet it was like time was on hold.

‘Okay, come on up now, son,’ Cath heard, as the paramedic popped his head out of the rear doors. ‘There’s room for one. Strap yourself in here, just beside her.’

Andreas stepped forward. ‘Mama mou, I’m here.’

‘I’ll follow in the car,’ Dan called after him, and also to Maria. ‘Take care, my loves.’ He then re-grouped briefly with Cath – who explained she’d been about to visit – and the cluster of care staff on the steps, thanking them all for their help, his car key ready to hand.

The blue lights went on, and they watched as the ambulance pulled away with its precious cargos.

Dan phoned Cath from A&E, late on the afternoon of the fall, asking if she’d mind calling at the flat to take Shirley back home with her for the night. They didn’t know how long they might be. He hadn’t then shared the sorrowful news, protecting Andreas’s feelings until his partner had had a little more time to try and absorb it himself. There were things the doctor had needed to confirm, despite a no-resuscitation order being in place, and arrangements to be made, so Maria still had to be admitted.

Cath hadn’t intended being there in the flat when they finally arrived home the next morning, but had gone over to find a couple of toys and a chew to keep Shirley entertained, which she hadn’t thought to bring with her last night.

It had been a good thing having the little dog as company. After an evening spent together on the sofa, Cath put the terrier’s fleece-lined bed down on the floor of her bedroom, beside her bed. The pair of them were restless through the night, wondering what was happening with the two men they cared so much about. It felt reassuring to have each other close by, at least.

So, there they were in the flat as Andreas and Dan came back. Andreas looked shattered, as he found the words, through his tears, to tell the end of Maria’s story. ‘Oh, Cath, I held her hand all the way to the hospital. She knew I was there, at the very last … calling me Yie mou, my son. Thank God, I’d made it in time. But oh …’ His voice cracked, the harsh reality of it all hitting home. He took a slow breath before adding, ‘She’d already passed by the time we reached the hospital.’

‘Oh, my love.’ Dan took his partner into his arms.

Cath moved close to lay a hand gently on Andreas’s back. ‘I’m sorry, Andreas. I’m so sorry.’

Shirley gave a whimper, nestled at their feet.

Within their arms, in that shield of support, Andreas whispered, ‘Adio, Mama’, closing his eyes.

And the room felt filled with the heaviness of love and loss.

Chapter 44

The news of Maria’s passing tore a chunk right out of Cath’s heart. She hadn’t known her long, but she had already grown very fond of the elderly lady. She’d hoped their friendship might have had a chance to flourish, that they’d have the opportunity to give a little light to each other’s lives.

Bless her, Cath mused, she’d never got her chance to make it to The Great Escape lunch.

The doctors had diagnosed a stroke, with her earlier falls likely to be linked with that, Dan had explained. Poor Andreas must be totally devastated. Cath had popped back with the rest of Shirley’s things soon afterwards, offering to help with anything at all, and then left the boys in peace. Naturally, they were rather shell-shocked, and she sensed they might need some space.

She spotted the ‘Closed due to unforeseen circumstances’ sign up in the shop’s window that next morning, as she had gone for a short walk trying to clear her own head. Bless them, the lads were most likely holed up in their flat, trying to come to terms with the awful reality of it all.

Back at the cottage, Cath was left wondering how best she might help Andreas and Dan, remembering how floored she’d been when her own mother had died. A part of you knew that your parents couldn’t possibly live forever, but however old they were, it was never enough. Your mum was such a huge part of your life from the get-go – if you were one of the lucky ones. And her loss had been one of the hardest things that Cath had ever had to deal with. The flip side of love is loss, and she knew that Andreas would be struggling with gut-wrenching grief.

She made a group chat with Nikki, Lily and (taking a breath) Will, letting them know of Maria’s passing, and suggesting they club together and leave some food and gift parcels to help the boys out, and to hopefully cheer them somewhat. After all, a little kindness went a long way. Cath offered to cook a main course that the boys could easily reheat, pondering on what might be the nicest comfort food in the circumstances … and then waited to hear back from the others.

Within seconds, her phone was buzzing, offers of sympathy and help bouncing in, pronto. Lily was more than happy to make a cake or some tray bakes for them, Nikki had already heard the awful news and responded with an ‘Oh, it’s so sad. I spoke with Dan earlier. Bless them all.’ Adding that she’d have a little think how best to help them foodwise. A minute later, and Will came on with ‘That’s such sad news. I’ll take some nice coffee and some beers around.’ He was there too, to help support the lads when it counted, the pair of them putting aside their own personal issues, and that lifted Cath.

She settled on making a cottage pie. Always a comfort, and if they didn’t fancy it straight away, it would easily freeze. She quickly set off to the butcher and grocer in Kirkton for her ingredients. The sky was a bold azure-blue today, the sun bright and brash. The birds still singing. Life, as always, was going on. It dawned on her that she was heading the same route as just those few days before. The last visit had been a shock, but Cath felt so glad she’d popped by and had that earlier time in the care home garden with Maria – the memory precious. Was it now time to take the old lady’s advice and knock on Will’s door, try to explain her youthful actions, well inactions really, once and for all? She was so pleased that Will had at least answered the chat message. It was good to know that he was still there for the group.

An hour or so later, the cottage pie was in the oven baking through, aromas of rich beef, leeks and herby gravy filling her kitchen. She’d take it around, once it had cooled a little, having decided to give a polite knock on the lads’ door and leave the dish without any fuss, being as unobtrusive as possible.

Her own doorbell then went. Nikki was stood there with a gentle smile, and a holdall of goodies. She and Lily had pooled their offerings, apparently, and there was a freshly baked strawberry and cream Victoria sponge in a large Tupperware carry box, chocolate brownies, a bottle of Prosecco with a handwritten note tied around its neck: Some fizz in memory of your wonderful mother, Maria xx – Nikki had thought they might want to celebrate Maria’s life. And, various crisps, nibbles and olives, along with a large bar of Cadbury’s caramel (Andreas’s naughty indulgence), in case snacks were the only things they fancied. Nikki suggested taking the whole lot over together in person, as a kind of foodie hug-in-a-box, and Cath had the perfect wicker basket to pop it all in.

While the cottage pie was finishing off, Cath popped the kettle on and they had a quick brew.