Disclaimer: All recognisable characters belong to HiT Entertainment. All OCs belong to me.

Chapter 15

"Ow! That's too tight, mum!" I protested as mum fitted the elastic bowtie around my neck.

"Nonsense, Sam. It's perfect, and you look very smart."

"I look like a dork," I muttered crossly. "Why do I have to wear a suit? Why can't I just wear my normal clothes?"

"Because this is Charlie and Bronwyn's wedding, and you have to look nice," mum replied firmly. "There! Now, let me just comb your hair…"

"No, mum!" I protested. "You always do it wrong."

Granddad came over to us, and he gently took the comb from mum's hand. "Allow me."

I stood quietly while granddad combed my hair the way I liked it. Once I was ready, granddad took me outside for a chat.

"I know Charlie's wedding means a huge change for you, Sam," he began.

"Why does he have to get married?" I asked. "I mean, I know he loves Bronwyn, but I don't want him to leave me."

Granddad pulled me into a tight hug. "But he's not leaving you, Sam. He'll still be around for you to talk to when you need him. Plus, you'll also have Bronwyn to confide in too now. And just think, it won't be long before you'll be marching down the aisle too."

I scoffed as I pushed myself out of granddad's embrace. "Yeah, right! I don't ever want to get married."

"Why not?"

"Because Gwen is so annoying!"

Granddad held up his hands in a gesture of innocence. "Who mentioned Gwen? There's thousands of other girls out there beside her. We all know she has a crush on you, but we can't force you two to get married. It's against the law. Besides, I can see that you two would never be happy together."

I breathed a sigh of relief. "I know mum wants us to marry. I heard her telling dad the other night. She thought I was in bed, but I snuck downstairs to get a drink. I nearly choked on it."

Granddad chuckled. "You'll change your mind about women one day soon, Sam." He glanced at his watch. "I think it's time for us to be getting to the church. I'll just see if your parents are ready."

…

Two hours later, Charlie and Bronwyn were officially married. I joined in the well-wishers as the happy couple stepped out of St Giles church amidst a flurry of rose petals, confetti and streamers. While I was happy for my brother and my new sister-in-law, I was also sad to know that I would now be all alone at home, with just mum and dad for company. In hindsight, I know it was selfish of me to think like that, but that's how I felt at the time.

Gareth, who was now my father-in-law, placed an arm around me. "I haven't seen you smile once all day, Sam. You should be happy for them."

"I am. I guess I'm just feeling a bit left behind."

Gareth smiled. "I know what you mean. But don't worry. You'll soon catch up."

"I'm going to throw the bouquet now!" Bronwyn announced.

I was pushed and shoved around a little as all of the unmarried women rushed forwards to get into position. Bronwyn turned around, and she tossed the bouquet high into the air over her head. There was a mad scramble, but then I heard Gwen squeal excitedly.

"I got it! Sam! Where are you? We're next to get married!"

Everyone started laughing. Feeling deeply humiliated in front of the entire town, I turned beetroot red before I took off running back inside the church. I just wanted to be on my own for a while, and I knew the perfect place.

The bell tower was quiet, and it also gave me a brilliant view of the entire town. Once I was safely inside it at the top, I watched on from a window as everyone bid Charlie and Bronwyn farewell. I wanted to be back down there too, to give Charlie a final hug, but I didn't want to be anywhere near Gwen again. Tears slid down my cheeks as I watched Charlie and Bronwyn drive away.

I remained inside the bell tower until the majority of the crowd had gone. Nobody said anything to me when I reappeared downstairs in the churchyard. The women were too busy discussing Bronwyn's dress, while the men were arguing about what Scotsmen wore under their kilts. Sighing heavily, I decided to walk home on my own.

…

Later that night, sometime around eleven p.m., I'd almost drifted off to sleep, when I heard someone quietly open my bedroom door. I lay still with my eyes closed, pretending to be fast asleep.

"See, Mary?" granddad whispered. "He's fine."

"Yes… He's just been so quiet lately. It's not like him to keep to himself like this."

"He's just more upset about Charlie getting married than he's letting on. It's been a huge change for him, and it'll take time for him to adjust to it. Come now. It's late, and we all need to get some sleep."

Mum closed the door softly. "When are you planning to return to Cardiff?"

"Tomorrow morning."

"I just hope that Charlie and Bronwyn are enjoying themselves up in Scotland."

"Trust me, if they're anything like what I was like on my honeymoon, they'll be having the time of their lives!"

Shocked, I pulled the bedcovers over my head. I knew exactly what granddad was referring to, and I didn't want to hear that kind of talk while I was trying to sleep.

I tossed and turned for a while, but sleep wouldn't come to me. Eventually, I gave up, and I got up to downstairs to fetch a glass of milk. Mum had taught me years ago that milk was a natural sedative. After I'd drank a glassful, I went back to bed. This time, I finally fell asleep.

…

Five days later, I was sitting on the front doorstep of our townhouse, fiddling with a stick and a rock. I'd never been so bored before in my life. Charlie was still away on his honeymoon, my friends had all left Pontypandy for the summer holidays, and Fireman Steele was up in the mountains with the other firefighters on a training drill. Dad hadn't even bothered to invite me to go out to sea with him, so I was left at home with nothing to do. I was just starting to consider going for a walk down to the shop to spend my pocket money on a comic book and some sweets, when I heard someone approaching. Looking up, I saw that it was just Dr Roberts. As usual, he was carrying his Gladstone bag that he used to carry medical supplies.

"Afternoon, Sam. Is your mother in?"

"Yeah, she's in the clinic," I muttered.

"Thanks. What's wrong?"

"I'm bored."

"Ah! Well, I'm sure you'll find something to do soon." Dr Roberts patted my shoulder reassuringly, before he entered the house. He left the front door slightly ajar. "Mary? I'm here now."

"I'm in the clinic," I heard mum reply. "Did you see Sam when you came in?"

"Yes. He's just out the front."

"Sam!" mum shouted. "Come inside, please! I need your help with something."

Sighing, I dropped my stick and I went inside, closing the front door behind me. I went into the small clinic near the back of the house. "What is it, mum?"

Someone closed the door behind me. I didn't have to turn around to know that mum had closed the door, because Dr Roberts was standing over near the examination table. Standing behind me, mum placed her hands on my shoulders.

"Sorry I had to trick you, Sam, but I didn't want you disappearing on me," mum said gently. "You're due for your yearly check-up and a booster vaccine."

I groaned in disbelief. "Can't it wait?"

Dr Roberts chuckled. "Sorry, Sam, but I wanted to do this before Charlie's wedding. Unfortunately, your mother was too busy to help. Besides, I know for a fact that you're definitely not busy right now. Hop up onto the table, and we'll get started."

Sighing reluctantly, I did as I'd been instructed. Dr Roberts put his stethoscope in his ears, and he placed the end against my back, under my shirt. I knew he was just listening to my lungs, so I took a few deep breaths. Then I deliberately coughed without being told to. Dr Roberts smiled, and he removed the stethoscope from his ears.

"Thanks, Sam. I wish all of my patients were as co-operative as you. Now, I just need to examine your throat…"

While Dr Roberts continued to examine me, mum started to prepare my vaccine. I wasn't scared of needles, but that didn't mean that I enjoyed having them. Tolerated was probably the best word to use.

"Okay, Sam," Dr Roberts said once he'd finished his basic examination. "Before your mum gives you your vaccine, I just need to take a bit of blood for a routine blood test. Do you want to sit up, or lie down for it?"

"I'll lie down," I decided. "I fainted last time."

"That's right! I had to catch you before you fell off the table. Yes, you'd better lie down."

I lay down on my back on the table, resting my head on the soft pillow. Knowing full well what would happen next, I closed my eyes, so I could try and focus my thoughts on something else. My thoughts turned to my volunteer work at the fire station. I was still having difficulties unrolling the firehoses whenever I helped out there, so I started to ponder a new method that might work better. I was concentrating so hard on that, that I barely even noticed when Dr Roberts placed the cuff around my upper left arm.

"Sam? Are you awake?"

"Mmm…" I moaned softly.

"I'm going to insert the needle now. I want you to clench your hand into a fist. Good boy. Now, just relax."

I already am relaxed! I moaned again when I felt the needle go into my arm, but then I didn't feel anything. I lay still until I felt Dr Roberts tape a piece of cotton wool over where he'd inserted the needle. He'd removed the needle without me even feeling it. Then, he folded my arm at the elbow, to help the puncture wound close faster.

"Do you want to give him the vaccine, or shall I?" I heard mum ask him.

"You can give it to him, while I deal with the blood sample," Dr Roberts replied.

Mum gently nudged me. "Are you feeling okay there, Sam? You look a little pale."

"Just do it, mum," I muttered.

Mum wiped my left shoulder with a cloth dipped in alcohol, before she injected the needle into my shoulder. It hurt a lot more than the blood test needle had, so I winced and gritted my teeth. A few seconds later, mum removed the needle.

"There, Sam. We're all done with you now. You may go back outside now, if you like."

I slowly sat up, and I got down from the table. I leaned against it for a moment to try and stop my dizziness.

"Are you feeling okay there, Sam?" Dr Roberts asked. "Your mother's right. You are looking very pale."

"I think I'll go and lie down for a bit," I muttered as I staggered out of the room.

Once I was upstairs in my bedroom, I collapsed onto my bed, taking care not to bump my sore left arm. It wasn't long before I drifted off to sleep.

…

"Sam?"

With a low moan, I reluctantly opened my eyes. Mum was leaning over me, gently feeling my forehead with her hand. Looking around, I realised that it was dusk. I'd slept for about three hours.

"Are you feeling okay? You feel a little hot."

"I'm just tired," I replied softly.

"Okay. Well, dinner's nearly ready. Would you like anything?"

I shook my head. I had no appetite. Mum frowned with concern.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, mum!" I snapped. "Just leave me alone! I want to sleep."

Mum was rather taken aback by my outburst. She hesitated before leaving my room. She left my bedroom door wide open, so I was able to hear her pick up the receiver from the telephone in the hallway. A few seconds later, she started speaking.

"Hello, Dr Roberts. It's Mary. Sorry to disturb you during dinnertime, but I think Sam's having a reaction to the vaccine. He's been lethargic all afternoon, and now he has a slight fever with no appetite. Yes, he just snapped at me too, which I suppose you could say is a sign of irritability. Okay, thanks. See you shortly." Mum put the receiver down, and she returned to my bedroom doorway. "Are you thirsty, Sam?"

With another groan, I placed my pillow over my head. "Na! Ewch i ffwrdd!"

Even though mum only know a few Welsh words and phrases, she got the message, and she walked away down the hall.

It wasn't long before I was disturbed again though. This time, it was Dr Roberts who woke me up. He deliberately made a lot of noise when he entered my bedroom, so I sat up crossly.

"Can't you all just leave me alone? I just want to sleep!"

"You can do that later," Dr Roberts told me firmly. He took hold of my left arm, and he rolled up the sleeve. I yelped when he touched the place where I'd received the vaccine earlier.

"Ow!" I pulled my arm out of his hand, and I yanked the sleeve back down. Then, I flopped back down onto my pillow.

Dr Roberts turned towards mum. "Yes, he's definitely having a reaction to the vaccine. So far, his symptoms are the most common reactions, so don't worry about him too much for now. He won't have any appetite for at least a couple of days, and he's likely to be moody a lot too, when he's awake. He should be back to normal in a few days, so until then, just give him some space."

Mum breathed a small sigh of relief. "I seem to recall him having a reaction to a vaccine when he was a baby."

Dr Roberts nodded. "Reactions to vaccines are a lot more common than most people realise. Most people only have mild reactions, which is what Sam has right now. Just monitor his symptoms. If they get any worse, or if they change, let me know straight away."

"I will. Thanks, Dr Roberts. I'll show you out."

After they'd gone, I placed my pillow over my head. Mum returned a few minutes later.

"Well, Sam, if you don't want any dinner, I want you to go and have your shower, and then go straight to bed, all right?"

"Yes, mum," I muttered sleepily. "That's all I want to do anyway." I sat up. "Sorry I snapped at you. I'm just really tired."

Mum gave me a gentle pat on the back. "It's okay, Sam. I realised that. I'll let you sleep in tomorrow, okay?"

"Thanks. Charlie's coming back tomorrow, isn't he?"

"Yes. It'll be nice to have him and Bronwyn back safely with us."

I nodded in agreement. "Do you think they'll have any kids?"

"Possibly. At least, I hope they do. I'm a bit young to be a grandmother, I suppose, but if that's what they want, I'm not going to stop them."

"I guess I'm a bit young to become an uncle too, right?"

Mum gave me a bemused look. "Go and have your shower, Sam. I know you're not well when you start overthinking things!"

Reluctantly, I grabbed my pyjamas and headed down the hall towards the bathroom. One thing was certain though; mum knew me too well.