How Laura Lewis Met Richard Brown

Chapter Three

Laura was glad there wasn’t a raincloud in sight as she had no umbrella, but the country puddles and mud were something else. She had shoved her feet into previously unworn yellow wellies — bought five years ago on a whim. Now, as she navigated the narrow lanes towards the care home, she was very glad that she’d brought them with her. Her sturdy work shoes were tucked safely into her shoulder bag, along with sandwiches and a packet of jelly babies. She never went anywhere without them.

Keeping her head down and her pace brisk, Laura prayed that she didn’t bump into anyone. Her only visitor had been Gwen a couple of days ago and she’d avoided the local shop for fear of the gossip mill. She just wanted to settle into village life and find her feet. Only then would she be ready to meet the locals.

As Laura crossed over the road, she noticed cars already parked in the village school. Teachers getting a head start on the day, despite it being only just gone seven. She would be far too early for work, but nerves had got the better of her. After her breakfast of toast and jam, and two cups of instant coffee, she couldn’t stay in the cottage any longer. She’d buzzed with a restless energy. She needed to get out. Laura’s plan had been to walk slowly, just take a leisurely stroll, but her footsteps had matched her racing heartbeat. She glanced at her wristwatch — she was going be half an hour early for her first shift. She would either appear to be too eager or incredibly nervous. She wasn’t sure which was the better option.

Laura turned the corner, which housed a small play area, and Cedar House care home came into view. The young and old only divided by a small patch of land. Laura remembered an article she’d read recently about how a care home in Sweden had brought in primary school children to talk to the older residents. It had not only been beneficial for the older people, but it had also been beneficial for the children. Good for everyone. Laura pondered this thought as she passed by the swings on her way towards the main entrance.

The long and winding path cut through a sculpted green landscape with empty flower beds. Laura thought that it must look lovely and full of colour during the summer. She pressed the intercom by the side of the door, and several seconds later she heard a buzzing sound and a loud click as the lock was released. Laura pulled open the door and stepped into the warmth and comfort of the home. The manager’s office was to the right of the entranceway and towards the left was a large day room. Just past the office was a large communal reception area, which was where Laura decided to wait until someone greeted her. She didn’t want to go to the staffroom because of safeguarding issues. She’d wait until someone came to greet her. She assumed that all the day staff would head towards the staffroom once they came on duty. So, if no one came to find her, she’d follow the first member of staff to walk through the front door. Laura sat down on one of the comfy reception chairs and gazed out of the large panoramic window which offered views of the front lawn and the path she’d just made her way down. She found it a little strange that the member of staff who’d buzzed her in hadn’t greeted her, or even checked to verify who she was. This would never have happened on the ward where she used to work, and things shouldn’t be any different here, even though it was a care home in the middle of nowhere. For all they knew, she could be an axe-wielding murderer. She could have ransacked the entire place and made a swift exit before anyone noticed what had happened.

Glancing back towards the window, Laura saw a figure walking down the path. Then, as they got closer, she saw that it was an older woman in a care-assistant’s uniform, just like her own. Laura watched as the woman pressed the intercom, then, following a click and a buzz, stepped into the entranceway.

The woman quickly removed her bright-blue woolly hat and gloves, and after stamping her feet on the mat, briskly made her way towards Laura.

‘Hello, I’m Linda, the senior carer on duty this morning. You must be Laura.’ Linda held out her hand and Laura shook it.

Such a formal thing to do, but Laura liked her immediately. The older woman had that brisk, no-nonsense manner that carers often had when they’d been in the job for a long time. Nothing surprised them anymore. They’d seen and heard everything. Laura knew Linda’s piercing grey eyes would catch everything. Laura would be sure to make an ally of her.

Laura offered what she hoped was a welcoming smile. ‘I wasn’t sure where to go so I thought I’d hover and wait for someone to turn up.’

Linda tutted, and for a moment Laura thought she’d said the wrong thing. Should she have made her way to the staffroom after all?

‘That bloody woman,’ Linda muttered under her breath. ‘Hazel, our manager, had to cover a shift last night — she should have answered the door to you.’

Laura thought exactly the same but wasn’t going to say so. She didn’t know this Hazel — who hadn’t been the one to interview her — and Laura didn’t know the working dynamics yet. She would soon make her own judgement about the manager and the other staff. ‘Well, I understand that this must be a busy time. I didn’t mind waiting,’ Laura said.

Linda tutted again but decided to say no more on the subject. ‘Well, let’s get you settled. I’ll take you to the staffroom for a quick cup of tea and then we’ll head on upstairs. We’re working on the upstairs floor today — Pine Floor — but then we’ll be down here on Cedar Floor for the rest of the week. You’ll be shadowing me.’

‘Sounds great.’ Laura picked up her bag. Maybe the day wouldn’t turn out so badly after all.

* * *

Laura had received handover with the other three members of staff on shift in a cramped side room on the upper floor of the home which was known as Pine Floor. Hazel had rushed through the handover, not even bothering to acknowledge Laura’s presence, or wishing her well on her first day. In fact, Laura took an instant dislike to the woman. Her manner during the entire two-minute handover had been utterly unprofessional. Hazel had made snide comments about the residents and hadn’t even tried to hide the disgust she’d felt for having to attend to an elderly gentleman who had soiled his bed. Laura was shocked. This was the first time Hazel had met her, yet she hadn’t even bothered to put on a show of professionalism or empathy. It had been the deputy manager who had interviewed Laura, and for some reason she was no longer working at the home. It was both unsettling and bizarre that this woman wasn’t trying her utmost to present a professional and caring image to her new member of staff.

More worryingly, what was she like with the residents? A cold shiver ran down Laura’s spine. She would have to sit back and watch for the time being, and remember to keep quiet about her background as a registered nurse. That type of basic training never left you.

* * *

After a quick tour of the floor, in which Linda showed Laura where the toilets, kitchen and day room were situated, Linda read out the list of residents they needed to help wash and dress ready for breakfast. The other two carers would start at the far end of the corridor so they’d meet in the middle.

Adrian was a young man, filling in time and gaining experience before starting his nursing course in September. He had politely said hello to Laura and had diligently taken notes during handover. The other carer, Cerrie, must have only been in her late teens or early twenties, but Laura had taken an instant shine to her, with her bright-pink hair and infectious smile. She probably brought much life into the home. Laura couldn’t help but wonder what her old nursing sister would have made of the young woman.

The working hours passed by in a blur of activity. Laura helped each resident to choose their clothes for the day, and then to wash or have a shower if preferred. When ready to face the world, or the other residents of Cedar House, she helped them navigate the hallway towards the large and airy dining room. A similar dining room was located on the lower floor which had access to a large patio area. Laura enjoyed giving basic nursing care, and with a pang realised how much she’d missed working on her old acute elderly care ward.

As Laura fastened buttons, combed hair and linked arms, she told each resident that she’d recently moved to the village. Every single person had asked her if she was married or if she was courting. They all found it strange that a single woman would choose to move to this village and work in the home.

Laura tried to remember the name of each resident and their room number. Luckily, she’d remembered to pop a small notepad into her tunic pocket and as she left each room, she made a few, brief notes to help her remember. It had been drummed into her as a nursing student to always see the bigger picture, not just the person sitting in the chair or lying on the bed. The photograph outside each room, which showed the resident as they had been in their younger years, was a nice touch. Sepia photographs of days gone by, linking arms with loved ones, smiling at the camera. But it also made Laura feel sad, in the fact that it was also important to remember the now. They were still here. They shouldn’t be ignored, but listened to. Laura needed to make the time to listen. That was one of the most important factors of nursing.

Harold had been a pilot and had stacks of photograph albums on his dresser just waiting for someone to enter his world. Lillian was what Laura’s mother would call a proper lady with her make-up applied meticulously. She had been a dancer on a cruise ship and told Laura that she had many a story to tell. Laura didn’t doubt that for a second. Margaret’s room was full to the brim with paintings of flowers, landscape scenery and houses. Margaret had painted her entire life and still enjoyed doing so in the weekly art class she attended at the village hall.

‘Here’s Harold’s porridge,’ Adrian said, handing Laura a tray with the bowl, a pot of tea and a small jar of jam. ‘He likes to add the jam himself, always strawberry.’

Laura thanked him, took the tray and walked into the dining room. She set the tray down on the dining table before Harold.

‘He never forgets my pot of jam.’ Harold beamed. ‘He’s a good ’un, he is.’

Laura smiled as she removed the breakfast items from the tray. She had a feeling she would enjoy working in Cedar House. As long as she could stay away from Hazel.

* * *

Laura’s first shift went surprisingly quickly. Breakfast was followed by tidying rooms, chatting to the residents and planning for the week ahead. She’d been given her duty rota for the month and was disappointed Hazel hadn’t given her set hours as discussed. Her shift patterns were all over the place. The early one started at seven thirty, and the late finished at eight thirty p.m., which was fine, but there was no observable pattern. Maybe when she’d been here a few months she’d ask again.

Before she knew it, it was time for lunch and then when she next looked at her watch it was two o’clock.

Linda made her way towards the staffroom, surprised to see that Laura wasn’t following her.

‘You not in a rush to get home then, Laura?’ she asked.

‘I just thought I’d stay on for a bit and fill out the online health-and-safety course, and the other bits that need doing. I still haven’t got any Wi-Fi access at home, nor a laptop, so it’ll be easier to do here.’

‘Oh, you should have said. You could have gone off and done that. You shouldn’t be doing it in your own time.’

‘I don’t mind. I’ll just stay back an hour, hour and a half max, and I know it’s done.’

Linda looked as if she was about to protest, but she remained tight-lipped and nodded. Laura hoped that she hadn’t upset her. Crossed an invisible line.

‘If you need any more time, though, you can do some of it tomorrow — we always have a quiet spell after lunch.’

‘Thank you.’ Maybe she wasn’t in Linda’s bad books after all.

* * *

Three hours and two cups of coffee later, Laura closed the lid of the laptop and stretched out her arms. A completed health-and-safety certificate and home induction wasn’t bad going for a few hours’ work.

It had grown dark, so Laura was glad she’d popped a torch in her bag. After gathering her belongings, she decided to say goodbye to the residents sitting in the day room. She was greeted by a chorus of ‘bye, love’ and ‘see you tomorrow’, to which she replied that, yes, they would. It was as she was turning away to step back through the doorway that an old lady caught her eye. She was sitting apart from the others, a paperback with yellowing pages open on her lap. But she wasn’t reading. Her piercing green eyes, which showed no signs of cloudiness, were fixed pointedly on Laura. Unsure of how to respond, not knowing if the lady approved of the intrusion, Laura simply smiled. To her surprise, the lady smiled back before slowly lowering her head to read once more. Laura shook her head, making a note to talk to this woman tomorrow. Something made her think she’d be interesting to be around. She just didn’t know why.

Laura made her way down the stairs and to the office to say goodbye to the carer in charge. Maddie, a young woman in her mid-twenties with bright-red hair, was on the phone but gave Laura a wide smile and wave when she popped her head round the door.

As Laura approached the front door, a man and young boy were waiting to be buzzed in. Laura was unsure if she should open the door for them, but when she heard the man announce his name and who he was visiting, Maddie buzzed them through. Laura stood back to allow them to pass and smiled at the man with the black curly hair as he held the door open for her. He smiled, held her gaze as she passed him.

She blinked, once, twice, then found her voice. ‘Thank you,’ was Laura’s reply. As she stepped outside into the cold evening air, she sucked in a steadying breath, wondering how a simple smile from a handsome man could make her feel like she was sixteen all over again. She rooted her hat out of her bag, pulled it down over her ears and slowly made her way home.