Tuesday

Mum was quiet and comfortable (mostly) this afternoon. I read to her for quite a while. It was only at the end that her guts began to give her gyp. That’s when the Dead Uncles appeared.

Her speech comes and goes, especially when she’s tired but I did make out her saying that Uncle Tony was a “villain”. I asked her what sort of things he got up to. She gave me quite a lengthy reply but unfortunately I couldn’t make anything out. I was half tempted to ask if she say all that again but more slowly and clearly so I could make notes but thought better of it.

On my way out I was stopped by one of the nurses.

“Can I ask you a question?”

“Of course”

“Why do you wear a skirt? I’ve seen the Royal Family wear them when they go to Scotland too.”

I thought of saying that she should have realised that I’m royal too or that I wear one because I don’t like being ignored. But I just said

“I wear a kilt when I walk the dog or I’m in the workshop. They’re tough and practical and more comfortable than shorts whatever the weather.”

Then Shirley piped up

“Did you say you’re going home? You haven’t been here long and I thought you’d come to hold my hand.”

“It’s OK Shirley. I’m not in any rush”

So I sat with her for a bit. And she was determined not to let go either.

Bibliography

Tales from the Parish: 31 humorous short stories about community, family and village life, set in the English countryside

Kindle Edition

by Stefania Hartley

Author’s Note

My Mum is in a nursing home in a small village in the Thames Valley. The photo is not of the home. I used an AI image generator to give the reader some idea of the home she’s in.

All, some or maybe even none (you’ll never know!) of the names have been changed to protect privacy and hide real identities. If you think you recognise someone then let me know and I’ll edit the post or remove it entirely