For the love of her

Felicity climbed carefully into the trap and sat down, smoothing out her long skirts. She smiled as she placed the wicker basket beside her. Toys and treats for her Nephews and Nieces. She shook the reins and clicked the pony on. She hadn't seen her sister for a few weeks, and her time was drawing near, so Felicity wanted to check that Mother and baby were well and happy. Not that she should worry, as Elizabeth's husband Leo absolutely doted on her.

Until a few weeks ago, Leo had been working as a manager in a bank, so they weren't short on money – just as well with all of those children! But unfortunately things had changed and he had lost his job. It was such bad timing, what with another baby due any day.

She thought about her sister. Despite her disability, she was well and happy, and loved. It had happened nearly thirteen years ago now, shortly after she and Leo had been married. A horse riding accident! Her back had been broken and had paralysed her from the chest down. Leo had stood by her, taking care of her every need.

When Elizabeth's nurse had a day off, it was Leo who bathed her, changed her bed and brushed her hair.

Each day he would lift her tenderly, carefully carry her downstairs, lower her into her bath chair and wheel her around their immaculate gardens.

They found great comfort in being together, for they were so much in love. Which of course, led to many babies.

Elizabeth found birthing babies easy. She couldn't feel her pains when her time came, and everything had always gone easily and smoothly, with the babies arriving happy and healthy.

Apart from little Martha. She had been born long before her time and did not survive. Elizabeth had cradled the infant for the few days that she had lived, giving her warmth and love until she passed away peacefully in her arms.

The pony trotted on, until they finally reached the large town house. Felicity drew the pony to a stop outside and waited for the groom to take it to the stables for a rest and some food. She looked around. Strange, there was no sign of him. Shrugging, she released the pony from his harness and led him to the stable herself.

Slowly, she walked back to the front door, noticing that the flower beds were not as tidy as usual. She looked around. No sign of the gardener either. How very strange!

She rang the doorbell, listening to it jangling brightly somewhere deep within the large house. The cries of excited children came to her ears, making her smile. Here they come, the tribe, she thought to herself. The door opened, and there stood Leo, a child in his arms and several more gathered around him.

'Felicity,' He said quietly, 'This is a surprise, I had no word that you would be visiting today!' She smiled up at him. 'No, I thought I'd surprise you all and see how Elizabeth is doing as the new baby is due any day.'

'Well come on in' said Leo, standing aside to let her pass. She noticed that he looked haggard, older, tired. 'How are you Leo? Are there any new jobs on the horizon?' He raked his fingers through his hair. They were shaking. 'No, not yet, but things are looking promising.' He replied. 'Come on in.'

She stepped into the house and looked around. Dust lay in a fine film over the surfaces, things weren't tidy as they usually were. 'Leo, I think you need a new maid!' She said jokingly. 'Ah yes,' he replied. 'She's looking after her Mother at the moment, she's been taken ill with a fever!'

Felicity walked into the parlour, surrounded by the children, who were eager to see what treasures were in the basket for them. She laughed. 'Alright, alright, let me take off my hat and coat off first and then we shall see what I have for your all.'

She walked over to the coat stand, and hung her things upon it. She caught a smell, faint, but it was there. 'Leo,' she said, 'What is that strange smell? It is almost like rotting meat. Maybe cook has left something too long?' 'Yes, maybe so,' said Leo looking away.

Felicity sat on on a chair, smiling at the children. 'My goodness, how many of you are there now?' She asked. 'Eight!' replied Jane, who was the eldest. 'Soon there will be nine because Mamma will have a little baby soon!'

'And how is your Mamma?' Felicity asked. Jane's face fell and she began to sob quietly. 'Mamma is not feeling well. Daddy says she is sleeping. We haven't seen her for a week!'

Felicity looked at Leo. 'Is this true?' She demanded. 'Elizabeth would never refuse to see her children, she dotes on them! What is wrong?'

Leo looked away and muttered 'She's just tired, that's all!'

Felicity felt an odd stirring within her. Something was very wrong here!

Little Paul tugged at his Father's sleeve. 'Papa, I'm hungry,' he wailed. 'I'll take him down to the kitchen, if you like, and see if cook can find him something.' Felicity suggested.

'No! Snapped Leo, 'I'll take him!' She looked at him in surprise! Never before had he been so short with her. He had always been very polite and caring!

He stalked out of the room with Paul, some of the other children joined him, pleading hunger too.

Felicity looked around. The other children were happily playing with their toys. I'll just go and pop in on Elizabeth while everyone is busy. If she is sleeping, I'll let her be, she thought.

She left the room and went upstairs to Elizabeth's bedroom. She pushed open the door quietly, so that she would not wake her sister if she was sleeping.

There's that smell again! Perhaps Elizabeth's bed needed changing, as it often did. She tiptoed across to the bed and looked down at her sister's face. It was so pale! She reached out and stroked her face and recoiled in horror! Elizabeth was cold. Stone cold! How could this be? Felicity looked down, taking in her sister's serene face and the bulge of her belly, with her unborn child within.

The door behind her opened and Leo walked in. 'Please don't wake her,' He said. Felicity's mind somersaulted. 'Leo, what's happened here, call the doctor, please Elizabeth is dead!' Leo smiled. 'No, she's not dead, just sleeping. She's been sleeping for a week now. I've been bathing her, brushing her hair, making sure that she is comfortable.

One morning, on the nurses day off, I came in to see her, as usual. There was blood, so much blood and she was sleeping. I cleaned her up, thinking that the baby was coming, but it didn't and she slept on.

He sat by the bed, taking Elizabeth's hand in his own. 'My love, He said. 'Once you wake, I will bring the children to you, they are missing you so much my darling. Please wake up soon, we all miss your laughter and smiles.'

I sat down, tears filling my eyes, looking across at Leo, who loved Elizabeth so very much. So very much that he could not bear to be without her, ever.

After a while, I stood, crossed the room and went back downstairs. The children all turned their happy faces towards me. How could I tell them. How could I possibly tell them. But I had to! Someone had to.

Leo came downstairs and looked around at his crying children. 'Its alright, its alright,' He said, kissing them one by one. Mamma is just sleeping, she'll be fine soon.

Tears once more filled my eyes as I turned and left the house. I had to get the Doctor. He would know what to do! I put pony back into his harness, climbed into the trap and set off.

I need food!

I need food!

My cupboards are bare,

But I can't go to the shops,

Its just isn't fair.

The Government say I'm vulnerable,

I've got to stay in!

I can't leave the house.

Even to empty the bin!

They contacted the shops,

Sainsbury's, Tesco and Asda,

For a delivery slot,

When I need rice and pasta.

The shops sent an email,

Giving a priority slot.

But I've just had a look,

And there isn't a lot!

There's one on Saturday,

At eleven at night!

No, I'll be in bed,

That just isn't right.

I close down my 'puter,

Leave it a while,

I'll have a look later,

This is becoming a trial!

Oh, look there's a slot,

For tomorrow, it seems,

I smile and I click,

As food fills my dreams!

No longer available?

No, that can't be right!

Where did it go,

I cry with such fright!

It shouldn't be hard,

To order online,

Before this darn virus,

I did it just fine!

I stop and I think.

What more can I do?

I sit and I sigh,

I'm feeling so blue!

An hour has passed,

I'll try one more time,

Eureka, there's one!

It's gonna be mine.

I click and I hope,

Oh yes it is booked!

If it hadn't have been,

I couldn't have cooked!

With pleasure I click,

On this and then that,

Oh my, be careful,

Or I'll end up quite fat!

Now I'm relaxed,

I know we won't starve,

Come lunch time on Sunday,

There'll be a chicken to carve.

I'm happy you see,

Don't feel so bleak.

Until, that is,

I try shopping next week!

Isolation!

Fiona opened her eyes and looked up at the clear blue sky. She tilted up her chin, feeling the sun's warmth caressing her face.

A half smile formed on her lips. This was the life. She had felt so lucky to be able to book this perfect getaway. A real family holiday!

The idyllic, fairytale cottage sat within a small wood, just a stones throw from the white sands of the beach.

It was so tranquil. The trees whispered softly to each other in the breeze, the gulls called, soaring above her. The gentle waves lapped the shore – perfect!

She reached out her hand and scooped up a handful of sand, letting it fall back to the beach lazily through her fingers.

Fiona turned to look at her husband, who was fast asleep. He deserved this break. He had been working so hard lately. They all deserved this break!

She dozed into a light slumber, happy and content.

A child's laughter woke her. She turned her head towards the sound and opened her eyes, smiling.

Her two daughters were paddling at the edge of the sea, shrieking and laughing as the cold water tickled their toes.

She got up and ran across the beach to them, laughing. 'Come on girls, let's go for a swim!'

The three of them waded out into the cool water, and were soon swimming, enjoying the cool silkiness of the sea against their hot skin.

Ah, sweet isolation, sweet, sweet isolation. No cars, no trains, no TV. She could get used to this.

Her vision faded, lost like smoke into the Summer's clear air, silence fell, darkness pressed against her.

* * * *

The sound of a siren broke the silence.

Fiona opened her eyes groggily, looking at the clock on the bedroom wall. 7 AM!

Time to get up and at 'em, I suppose, she thought.

She rolled over painfully, and got out of bed, straightening up slowly and carefully.

Looks like another sunny day, she though, pulling the curtains open.

She hobbled to the kitchen and made herself a cup of tea and carried it into the sitting room, walking across to the window of her tiny flat.

The park looked so nice down there. She was so high up that the few dog walkers and runners that were out at this early hour looked like ants.

She smiled. She loved that park. Each day she would take a slow and gently stroll around it, if her knees would let her, that is.

But everything had changed on that fateful day four weeks ago! That letter. It changed everything! Nothing would ever be the same again.

The Government letter had made it very clear. She was to stay inside, not go out for 12 weeks!

Coronavirus! An invisible and indiscriminate killer had invaded the Earth

Her world had shrunk to the size of her tiny, one bedroom flat.

She was on her own. Her husband had passed away years ago, and her children had grown up, moved away and had families of their own now.

She longed for conversation, to speak to the dog walkers, the other elderly people that also took walks in the park.

She longed to visit the shops, the hairdresser. But it was not going to happen any time soon.

Once a week, a crumpled piece of paper was pushed through her letter box – A government food parcel had been left outside.

Once a month the local pharmacy did the same with her medication.

She was lonely, unhappy, vulnerable. The darkness of her life closed around her, enveloping her in its icy grip.

She thought back to her dream of the night before, the bliss, the sweet isolation of being with her family once more on that holiday, so many years ago.

This isolation felt like a jail sentence! When would it end? Three months, maybe more? She yearned for the feeling of fresh air upon her face, the sights and sounds of normality.

She had lost track of the days, they seemed to merge, coalesce into one long nothingness.

Just hour upon hour, waiting, hoping that it would soon be over, that she could once more step outside.

Food hoarders – shame on you!

You know who you are,

You empty the shelves,

Only caring about yourself

How do you feel?

Are you happy?

How do you feel when you see a Mother comforting her crying baby?

Because there's no formula on the shelf to feed it,

There's no nappies to change it.

But you have more than you need.

Shame on you!

How about that man?

The one on Chemo,

He's been told to stay at home.

But he can't book an online shop!

Because you have booked them all.

Shame on you!

That lady there?

She has a lung condition,

She shouldn't be out either,

But she needs milk and bread.

But there is none,

Because you have taken it all.

Shame on you!

You have even been seen taking food out of the food bank.

Food for the starving, those who have no money.

They won't eat today,

But you have enough for months.

Shame on you!

That young man there.

He has Crohn's disease.

He needs some toilet paper,

For his frequent bowel movements,

But he can't get it,

Because you have stockpiled it.

Shame on you.

See that young girl?

She has diabetes.

She needs some sweets to treat her sugar when it goes too low.

But there is none,

You have piles of them.

Shame on you.

That boy, the one that you think is being naughty?

He is autistic.

He will only eat a certain shape of pasta.

But he can't get it, so he won't eat.

But you have lots that you don't need.

Shame on you!

That young couple?

They have both lost their jobs due to this virus.

They can't afford to hoard.

They can barely afford the basics,

But they can't get them,

Because you bought them all.

Shame on you!

The list of people that are suffering because of you goes on and on.

Are you ill, do you need these things?

Will most of your hoard get thrown away months later because it has spoilt?

How do you feel?

Is your conscience pricking?

The answer is probably no,

Because you have no conscience.

You are selfish,

Thinking only of yourself,

Not of others that are less fortunate.

SHAME ON YOU!

I hate odd socks!

I look and I sigh,

Laying right there,

Is a little white sock,

Without it's white pair!

The basket is empty,

I've ironed all the stuff.

But the sock is still mocking,

I'm just one, so tough!

It has to be somewhere!

I look high and then low.

If I were a sock,

Where would I go?

Down the back of the basket?

In the machine?

Walked off alone?

Now that would be mean!

On the floor in the bathroom?

No, there isn't a sign!

It's so frustrating,

Where are you! I whine.

Time's getting on,

It still isn't found,

I've hunted up high,

And down on the ground!

Time for a cuppa,

I'm feeling quite beat!

Without a pair,

Of socks for me feet.

It's now time for bed,

And the curtains are drawn,

Up the steps,

I go with a yawn.

Three steps up, I look down,

Down on the stair,

A little white sock,

Is sitting, right there!

I'm sure that the sock,

Is laughing and mocks,

I really, really,

Hate those odd socks!!

The Grandbaby has arrived!

The Grandbaby has arrived!

I'm happy to say,

Even though she wasn't expected,

For a month and a day!

Mum had it rough,

Now ain't that the truth!

So baby made her debut,

Through the sun roof!

She was rushed quickly away,

To check all was well!

Into an incubator,

Only time now, would tell.

Mum was so ill,

She feared for her life,

Her poor husband,

Worried for his wife.

It was a tough few days,

We all worried so,

Would Mother and baby,

Get better, oh woe!

But things improved,

They both got much stronger,

Perhaps they'll be home,

Not in hospital much longer!

After a week long of rest,

Mum, home, she could go,

Gathering strength,

Taking it slow.

Baby is feeding,

Getting stronger each day,

She will soon be home,

And Grandma can play.

It's been a rough time,

For everyone, at best,

But with a beautiful baby,

We all have been blessed.

T'was a bit of shock,

When she arrived oh so soon,

She's little but perfect,

We're over the moon.

Oh Alexa!

I've got a smart speaker,

Alexa's the name!

But getting her to work,

Is sometimes a game!

Maybe its my accent,

I'm often misheard,

It happens so often,

Its becoming absurd!

Turn on the lights!

I'm sorry, I can't!

The hub's not responding,

Alexa does chant!

I walk to the light,

Flip on, off the switch,

Now she is working.

Maybe a glitch?

Play me some music,

Stuff that I like,

Eek, that's disgusting,

Are they eating the mike?

And then there's the light,

The red ring of doom,

Alexa's intelligence,

Has just left the room!

She's lost her connection,

To the world and the net!

I'll have to unplug her,

Again I can bet!

We love our Alexa,

Even when she's quite dim!

Not always intelligent,

She goes out on a limb!

You ask her a question,

And wait for a reply,

That doesn't make sense!

I tell her and sigh!

Artificial she is,

Of her we are fond,

If she were a person,

I'm sure she'd be blonde.