CHAPTER FORTY TWO REMEMBRANCE

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CHAPTER FORTY TWO

My eyes opened and even with the curtains closed I could tell the day was full of sunshine. It was nice to have a lie-in. Not that life had been particularly arduous

of late. It hadn't been. My return to Portwenn Primary after Easter was seamless because of the great work of my colleagues. Now we are winding down for the year and I think all will be grateful for a bit of a break. Having a cooperative and congenial team is so good. Martin keeps hinting at my retiring, but why would I do that when I enjoy my work?

It was nice that the family had slipped out quietly this morning and allowed me to stay in bed. Martin was taking Joan to Bodmin to work with her friend Meg and the special needs kids at the stables. James and Arthur had left early for a day hike along the cliffs. After opening the curtains I decided to crawl back under the covers awhile longer before going down to forage for a bit of breakfast.

I watched gulls coasting against a blue sky and suddenly a black bird lit on the window sill. I couldn't believe it. It was a chough and seeing one this close is rare. Perhaps I was looking at a relative of King Arthur as legend has it he did not die but turned into a chough.

Martin says he's a lucky man. If that's true I suppose he has received a pardon, since they say it is bad luck to harm a chough. Martin blew up a whole nest of them.

These days I am full of thankfulness. Our family has weathered the storm of my cancer. In June I had an ultrasound and the result of that was the good news that there is no evidence of cancer in my body. My family was such a rock through it all.

They really cared for me in every way. And to think I have the blessing of a much larger family: Al and Morwenna, Aunt Ruth, Roger and Maureen, Mandie and of course Natalie and Luk. I felt the love of this whole village.

My hair is a topic all its own. Oh my! My hair. It's a bit curly, but hopefully that will lessen as it gets longer. The eye brows and lashes are taking forever to come in. The color is the same but I am noticing a bit more grey; more than I thought was present before. Probably my imagination, as it was likely there all along. Growing only a little over a centimeter a month, I am going to have to be patient. Sweet Alice Miller, who has been doing my hair for as long as I can remember, is taking good care of me and I think I look quite stylish. Hats and scarves have been relegated to the back of the drawer. Funny how Martin likes to caress my head more with short hair. Well hey, no surprise there. I have always liked my fingers in Martin's short hair.

The chough took flight and I decided to wander downstairs as I was definitely fancying a cuppa. Switching on the light I set the water to boil and put some bread in the toaster. Actually being quite hungry I searched a bit in the fridge and found two kippers, purchased by James no doubt. He's really fond of them, much to his father's dismay. I would buy James some more but I really wanted those kippers. After heating them I put it all on a tray and carried it to the table. There in the middle was a vase with roses from the garden and, hmmm what's this, an envelope with my name on it in Martin's hand? Opening it I unfolded what was obviously a holiday travel itinerary. I know my mouth dropped open.

Of course nothing would be nicer than time away with my family, but South Africa. Not just South Africa but over two weeks in South Africa. This had James written all over it. He is the adventurer in our family. Not a week in Spain but almost three weeks in South Africa. And of course if James was the instigator, Martin was the one financing the adventure. How in the world had he convinced his father? This I had to hear.

I began to read through the travel plan. We would be in Johannesburg with a guide who would take us to areas tied to the struggles for freedom. It included The Apartheid Museum and traveling to Soweto. James is a great admirer of Nelson Mandela, so no surprise here. Then it seemed over a week would be spent at Marloth and Kruger parks, where we would have a house and a guide to take us into Kruger Park. I kept reading and there was more. We were to finish our trip in Margate at The Margate Sands Beach Resort. James had penned "Maybe whale and dolphin watching" in the margin. I caught my breath after reading through the described itinerary. It was simply amazing.

I would have been happy with something less elaborate but far be it from me to lick the jam off their toast. I know they want to do something special now that we have passed this awful time and I'm feeling quite well. I have most of my old spark and energy back. Lots of thank-yous for my sweet family when they return.

I did have that brief thought about Spain for a nice holiday. It would be much closer and a lot less costly. But I knew my husband and that would not even be up for discussion. Spain to him would always be the infamous El Gran Resort Blanco in San Marcos. Now that was an experience we would not want to relive.* The other matter is that in South Africa we would not run into people we knew, and that would appeal to Martin most of all. He knows the Mylow's and my mother are in Spain and fate would be bound to bring us together, maybe all at the same time. He is glad for the children to travel to visit their Granny Eleanor, but he draws the line there.

My eyes fell on the picture on the cabinet of Mark and Julie's children Amelia and Raffy, both teens now. They had made a good life for themselves. I'll never forget being with Mark and Julie on that Spanish trip. Julie spoke more directly to Martin than I thought possible without him blowing up. "If a cop and a crook can make it, then two intelligent people like you can make it." Martin does not express affection for me publically but Julie was so forceful that he professed love for me then and there. It was a night I'll never forget. Knowing Mark and Julie has taught me to always think the best of people. Being with children and their families through my years of teaching has only underscored that.

I heard the back door open and Martin and Joan appeared, anticipating my reaction to the surprise. It was Joan, bubbling with excitement, who burst out with, "Mummy, did you find the envelope?"

"Of course, Joanie. And Martin, thank you. What in the world possessed you to consider a trip to Africa? I mean it sounds absolutely wonderful but getting you on a plane in the past has been like pulling teeth. I remember once when you were a grouch and told me your holiday would be my going on holiday? It took a while for you to extract your foot from your mouth that time, didn't it? So Husband, how did this happen?"

Martin actually smiled and said, "Louisa, James is considering medicine but actually he might want to consider law. He could solicit a solicitor. It took a bit of doing but I did agree. We could be exposed to all manner of plagues and insects. I don't promise to fully enjoy the outing, but our family is going to South Africa. James has gone to great pains to plan it well."

"But Martin, aren't you afraid of running into relatives there?"

"That's rubbish. We have never had family anywhere in Africa. I may have had a distant cousin who was a diplomat in Nigeria."

"I was thinking of cousins of ours we might meet, but I suppose it will be alright since they have not developed speech yet."

With that I jumped into his arms and kissed him with a thank you that I know he read as coming from my heart. "You are really wonderful Martin. Thank you." My mobile started ringing.

"James, hello. Is this my travel agent? You know how to surprise your Mum, Son.

You really are over the top with this holiday."

"It should be fun, Mum."

"Not just fun, James, fabulous is the word here I think.

What's up with you and Arthur?"

They were back and headed for the house, quite hungry I imagine. "Oh, James, by the way the kippers you had in the fridge are missing. If you want those, you might want to pick up more on the way home."

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*To find out about this trip to Spain you will have to read Hands to Hearts by Robspace54. All the things you might expect and more.