Farewell

Angela pressed her face against the window as their taxicab pulled away from the kerb. The Bartlett family stood on their stoop, waving them off, but all she could see was Rascal padding down the sidewalk, looking for all the world like he would miss her as well. Once their car turned the corner and he was out of sight, she leaned into her mother's embrace and sobbed at the absence of her new friend.

"Oh, my dear Angela," Shelagh soothed, "do you know what would be lovely?"

Angela sniffed and shook her head.

"Once we're on the aeroplane, you can draw pictures of Rascal and all of the special things you did together."

The little girl's shuddering breaths subsided as she considered the idea.

"And once we're home, you can keep some of them for yourself," Shelagh patted Angela's back, "and send the others to the Bartletts with our thank you note."

Angela tearfully agreed. Shelagh cuddled her closer and wondered if it was madness to consider adding a pet to their already full and hectic lives. She decided to keep the thought to herself until they had been home for a few weeks at least.

Shelagh watched the last views of Bonita Beach glide past her window as she steeled herself for the long journey home. Having endured the trip here with two small children she was better prepared for their return but, at the same time, more anxious knowing the challenges ahead due to the sheer length of time it would take them to get there.

Nevertheless, as incredible as their California visit had been, Shelagh was happy to be on her way home. For one thing, she was looking forward to a return to the normal routine for Teddy and Angela; the constant excitement and disruptions to naptime and her efficient schedule were starting to wear on both children, and consequently, their mother.

Timothy was equally enthusiastic to return to Poplar. Seated on the other side of the back seat, he alternated between gazing out the window and writing in his notebook. He was accumulating a long list of their American adventures as well as questions in which to talk over with his girl, Debbie. Currently he was trying to make sense of the school system in the US; Patrick and Timothy had joined Professor Bartlett for a tour of the university and found it was quite different than the English system they were familiar with. Mrs Bartlett's description of primary and secondary school wasn't any easier to comprehend. Smiling to himself, he envisioned many long discussions with Debbie accompanied perhaps by walks in the park or visits to the cinema.

Patrick sat in the front seat with Teddy on his lap, conversing with their driver about the upcoming Olympic Games set to begin in October in Tokyo. Shelagh caught his eye then blushed at his wink, remembering their early morning conversation; her husband was eager to regain the privacy of their own bedroom. She straightened her posture and pursed her lips, but his cheeky grin communicated that he saw right through her prim facade. Shaking her head, she returned his smile playfully then turned her mind to the greater good; both she and Patrick were enthusiastic about sharing the miracle of the maternity trolleys with the NHS and were keen to add one to the maternity home in the very near future. Thinking back over their visit, she was struck by the number of healthy mothers and happy children that had surrounded them throughout their time here whether in the neighborhood, on the beach or their day at Disneyland. Making use of the toolkits would bring life and all its possibilities to a larger percentage of the mothers they cared for. How each would use that life would vary from person to person, and not all would have access to the luxuries they experienced this past week, but to give them the opportunity rather than the alternative was now more fully within their capability. Filled with purpose and a renewed sense of energy she gathered up her handbag and Angela's things as their taxi swept into the Los Angeles airport and they prepared to travel home.