Episode 57 - Lavender Letters
~~~A Week Later~~~
Lee and Helen barely emerged from the bedroom for 7 days, much to the disgust of Jules. Initially she had been relieved that Helen was taken off her hands but now she was seriously regretting that she hadn’t treated her better. She hid away in her bedroom with her precious computer, occasionally banging on the wall and telling them to keep it down.
Helen fit in well in Carlisle Street. All the grrls loved her and she was invited to party after party. Lee’s social standing had also grown, mostly because her demeanour had warmed and she was being civil to her fellow human beings. It was rumoured that she was actually seen smiling in public.
Jules sulked while her eyes healed. She had attended her appointment with Doctor Laura who said her prognosis was good. Jules tried to flirt with her but to no avail. Doctor Laura was cool and only showed signs of friendliness when she asked how Helen was. Looking for some sympathy, Jules explained that her best mate had stolen Helen and her heart was breaking. Doctor Laura replied that she should continue with the eye ointment for another week and left to do her rounds.
Jules went to visit Nan and drop off her mail. The old lady was due out in a few days and couldn’t wait to be back in her own flat. Nan noticed Jules’ sullenness and asked what was wrong. Jules only grumbled something about loyalty amongst friends and continued munching on Nan’s grapes.
When Nan mentioned how nice her friend Helen seemed, Jules stalked out, taking a handful of grapes for the bus trip home.
Nan shook her head at Jules’ unusual behaviour and sifted through her mail. She came across a letter written in the tiny script of her long time friend, Fran. She opened it nervously and began to read;
Dear Lily,
I am sorry to hear of your accident. I hope you are healing well. Barry did his hip a few months before he died and it was the end of him (Nan’s eyes grew wide). He wasn’t much of an active man but he seemed to whither when he lost his independence. I feel that it was probably for the best when he passed away. He was never a happy man and he got worse when he was infirmed. Even the community nurse said it was just as well that I accidently overdosed him with morphine. I don’t think she liked him at all, what with him pinching her all the time and asking for sponge baths when he deliberately made wee in his pyjamas.
The children and grandchildren are all fine. Barry Jr. still hasn’t married but he seems happy enough as a gay and carefree bachelor. I did see him holding hands with a very tall lady last year. He seemed embarrassed when I stopped and spoke to them. I think he was ashamed of her very bad wig. Barry Jr. is always well groomed. She seemed nice enough though but wore an awful lot of makeup.
He now shares a house with a nice young man called Nigel and they are thinking about opening a spa bath together. Why anyone would want to go to there is beyond me when we have such nice beaches and the weather is always sunny.
Sally, my youngest, has been away at some kind of camp for a few months and says she should be able to get home soon if she behaves herself, whatever that means. I have been taking care of her house and garden. Her tomato plants are huge but have yet to bare any fruit so I pruned them back hard last week and hope they will produce soon. She loves her garden and grows all her own herbs. I borrowed some from a bag I found and I’m sure she won’t miss it as there was about a pound of it. I’m going to use some of it for the sausage rolls I’m making for the local church charity fair this weekend.
With Barry’s insurance I have been thinking of taking a good, long holiday and it would be nice to catch up with you after all this time. I miss our friendship and our long cosy nights together. I have yet to find another friend like you. All the women around here are really stiff and think of nothing but bingo and knitting.
Well my fond friend, I hope this letter finds you well and you are on the mend.
Love Fran
Nan gently folded the letter and placed it back in the envelope. She lifted it to her nose and smelled Fran’s familiar lavender scent. She laid back on her stiff hospital pillows and smiled.
to be continued... |
