Another whole year together…
Lately, Arthur Robinson hadnt been going out alone.
He stopped after one day when he walked to the local surgery and couldnt remember where he lived, nor his own name. He wandered the streets for ages, heading this way and that, until his eyes landed on a very familiar building. It turned out to be the old clock factory where Arthur had worked for nearly fifty years.
He stared at the place, certain he knew it, but he couldnt remember how or even who he was until someone tapped him gently on the shoulder from behind.
Robbo! Arthur, is that you? Missing us, have you? Only the other day we were talking about youwhat a master and mentor you were. Dont you recognise me? Its Stan Hopkinsyou made a proper man of me, Robbo!
Arthurs mind suddenly clicked back into place. Everything rushed backthank heavens.
Stan grinned and wrapped his arms around his old mentor.
See! I shaved my moustache, thats why you didnt recognise me at first. So, will you come in for a cuppa with the lads? Theyd be chuffed.
Maybe another time, Stan. Im a bit worn out, to be honest, Arthur admitted.
No worriesIve got my car right here. Let me run you home. I still remember your address, Stan said, happy to help.
Stan drove him back, and from then on, Susan Robinson wouldnt let her husband go anywhere alone, even though his memory seemed perfectly fine now.
Arthur and Susan only ventured out togetherto the park, to the surgery, or to the shop.
But then Arthur caught a nasty bugfever, heavy cough. And so Susan, though not feeling her best either, rushed out alone to the chemist and the grocery shop.
She bought medicine, food, not even that much really. But a wave of strange weakness hit her, making each breath a struggle. The carrier bags felt impossibly heavy. She paused, steadied herself, and trudged on with the shopping.
After a few more steps, she had to stop again. She set the groceries down on the fresh snow, then gently sank onto the pathway up to the house.
Her last thought was, why on earth did she buy so much at once? She must be losing her sense.
Luckily, the neighbours were coming out of their flats, saw Susan lying on the snow, and quickly called an ambulance.
Susan was whisked away, while the neighbours took her food and medicines, then knocked on her door.
Her husband Arthurs probably still inside, I havent seen him for a couple of days, guessed Nina Foster. Hes probably sleeping. Susan always said he wasnt very well either. Oh, old age is cruel, isnt it? Ill pop by later
Arthur had heard the doorbell ring.
But his cough was choking him, and when he tried to get up, his fever made him so dizzy he almost collapsed.
The coughing faded, and Arthur slipped into a strange half-dream, half-waking state. Where was Susan? Why was she taking so long to come home?
He lay there for ages, somewhere between sleep and waking, until he heard soft footsteps. Suddenly, his wife was there beside himoh, how wonderful it was to see her.
Arthur, give me your hand, hold onto me, come on, up you get, Susan urged him, and he rose, holding her strangely cold and frail hand.
Now open the door, quickly, she whispered.
Why? Arthur asked, surprised, but he did as he was asked, and just then Nina Foster and Stan, his young workmate, entered.
Robbo, why werent you answering? Weve been ringing and knocking for ages!
But wheres Susan? She was right here with me? asked Arthur, his lips pale with confusion, searching for his wife whod disappeared suddenly.
Shes in hospitalthey rushed her in, Nina said, puzzled.
I think hes delirious, Stan muttered, just managing to catch his old friend as he slumped into a faint…
The neighbours called an ambulance againeven though it was only a faint brought on by the fever.
Two weeks later, Susan was discharged from hospital.
Stan gave her a lift home, and he and the neighbour had looked after Arthur, checking on him while he recovered too.
The main thing wasthey were still together.
When Arthur and Susan were finally alone again, neither could hold back their tears.
At least there are still kind people about, Susan said, Ninas a good soul, remember how her children used to dash round after school, and wed give them lunch, help with homework, and then shed pick them up after work.
Yes, not everyone remembers kindness, but she still cares. That means a lot, Arthur agreed.
And Stan, he was just a young lad, I helped him get started in life. Most young folk forget us oldies, but he came through for us.
New Years just a few days away, Arthur. How wonderful were together again, Susan snuggled up next to her husband.
Susan, tell me honestlyhow did you manage to visit me from hospital and make me open the door to my rescuers? Id have died here without you Arthur finally dared to ask her.
He feared shed think he was confused again, but Susan gazed at him in astonishment.
So it really happened? They told me I had a clinical death. All that time, it felt like I was in a half-dream, coming to you. I remember seeing myself in intensive care, then somehow leaving hospital and coming to you
Well, weve had some real miracles in our old age. Still, I love you as much as evermaybe even more, Arthur said softly, taking her hands in his own, and they sat together silently, gazing at each other, as if afraid to be parted again.
On the eve of New Year’s, Stan popped by with treatshis wife had baked pies.
Then neighbour Nina dropped in too, and together they drank tea and ate pie, feeling warm and content inside.
Arthur and Susan saw in the New Year together, just the two of them.
You know what? I made a wishif we saw in this New Year together, it would be ours. Wed have another year, Susan told Arthur.
They both laughed, feeling joy well up.
Another whole year togetherit was so much, it felt like pure happiness.
