A serial, of around 20 parts.

Healing Cousin George

by Karin Roberts

Part 1 - Arrival

“He’s not coping very well I’m sure he is still on the drink. I spotted several empty bottles in the bin and the house is not being cleaned very well” silence as she listened.

“Yes I know its early dear but we have to think of Melissa in all this” she paused again.

“Yes I know that being a farmer takes up a lot of time but so even the more reason why he needs some help” silence again.

“I know it’s a risk if we get the Social Work involved and losing the kid would probably push him over the edge, but I can’t think of anything else we can do, yeah ok, we will talk more tonight”

Mum had just been visiting my half cousin George who owned a farm in Ayrshire. George was 32 and owned a large farm near Irvine, he had a daughter called Melissa who had just turned 2 years old. When Melissa was born there had been complications and unfortunately due to an undetected heart defect in his wife, Grace, she had suffered a major heart attack just after Melissa was born. The medical teams had done all they could and revived her once only for her to suffer another attack and tragically she had passed away.

Since then he had been helped by several family members to deal with his loss, at times he had seemed to be on the mend, but there were several periods where depression had hit him hard and he had gone backwards again. I liked George he was a big strong looking guy, I’d only met him three or four times mostly at family occasions and fortunately more happy ones than the last time I had been in his company. On the other occasions our mutual love for a certain football club had seen us build bridges and chat for ages about games and players old and new.

Later that night when Dad returned from work I could hear them discussing the situation again I thought I heard my name being mentioned but maybe not, there was a bit of arguing. I could tell that my Dad was certainly dead against getting Social Service involved and was determined that we should deal with it in the family. Any Social Services involvement he felt would lead to Melissa being into care and away from George After all that had happened to George that was an option that even I thought would be detrimental to George’s recovery he had lost enough in his life, losing Melissa would be the last straw.

The next morning I was sitting eating breakfast when Mum and Dad came downstairs.

“Eh Alex can we talk to you for a minute” they asked,

“Yeah shoot” I said.

“Well you know how George is having some problems again we were wondering if you could go and stay with him for a while and help look after Melissa” I looked a bit stunned.

“I’m not much good with babies” I said.

“Nonsense, look how you helped Ashley when she had Megan and you’re going to be a Primary Teacher so you know how to deal with kids,”

Ashley was my elder sister who had been unfortunate enough to fall pregnant after a one night stand with somebody she met at a nightclub she was determined to keep the kid and when it was born she also needed to work to feed it, so I had helped out with child care while she went to work.

Also Mum was right I had just after my 22nd birthday qualified as a Primary Teacher and was offered a post in a local school for later that year.

“How long would I need to do it for,” I asked.

“Not that long just till he gets back on his feet or we can make other arrangements, anyway your not due to take up your job at Northgate Primary until mid August, so about 10 weeks maximum” my dad added continuing “Anyway you two get on like a house on fire talking football all the time maybe it’s just what George needs a friend around.”

I looked a beaten opponent, “Oh I suppose, Ok I’ll do it.”

“Thanks Alex the family needs to stick together at times like this” mother said.

So by Saturday morning I was packed and ready a large case loaded into my Dad’s car and all three of us drove down to Irvine. George was out in the fields when we arrived and Mrs Kane an elderly lady from the village was looking after Melissa. She greeted us on arrival as I lugged my case inside and on her instructions took it upstairs to the room that had been set aside for me. I looked out of the window of my room on a rolling landscape of ploughed fields and pasture about 1,000 yards further down the driveway was the main barn and what appeared to be a garage for farm vehicles a silo and some milking sheds and sheep pens were also dotted around as well as some other outhouses.

This was the first time that I had been to the farm. The farmhouse itself was very much old style low ceiling with wooden beams. The only change appeared to be that a modern bathroom with a corner bath had been installed, a conservatory had also been built just off the kitchen and central heating put in to replace most of the old style log fires. Only one fire remained and that was the one in the main living area which had a fantastic stone hearth around it.

Mrs Kane made us coffee in the kitchen and gave us the latest on how George had been since Mum’s visit.

“He’s been not bad had a bit of a blow-out last night went down the local came home early this morning a bit the worse for wear but not as bad as I’ve seen him. I’m just glad that someone is going to stay with him I’m a bit too old for all this now, but if you need any help Alex just give me a call the numbers on the pad.”

Mrs Kane stayed around for an hour or so and then my Dad gave her a lift home while Mum and I attended to Melissa. Mum then left me alone to get on with it while she made dinner for George’s return.

Around 6pm we heard a jeep pull up outside and George got out and walked to the door taking off his Wellington’s he strode into the house.

“Margaret, William, Alex good to see you all” he said. I helped mum set places at the table while George and dad went out into the conservatory for a cigarette.

Mum was making final preparations as I nipped upstairs to check on Melissa who was still asleep following her afternoon excitement and attention from all the family. Over dinner we sat and make general small talk until eventually George raised the subject,

“So are you ok coming here to look after Melissa, Alex?”

I hesitated slightly, “It’s fine by me, I don’t start my job until late August and the experience with a young child will do me no harm” I replied.

“You don’t mind leaving your friends for a few months’ and staying here.”

“No that’s ok as well, a couple of them have taken summer jobs and two other’s have gone on a hiking holiday in Wales so I would have been pretty much on my own most days anyway.”

“Well that’s ok then just as long as I’m not putting you out” he said.

“Don’t worry about it George were all family and we are here to help” my mother piped in as she lifted some plates of the table and went to wash up.

“Here let me give you a hand with that” I said standing up and walking towards the sink.

Mum and Dad stayed around for another hour or so while I settled in before leaving just as it was getting dark “Call us if you have any problems” Mum said out of George’s earshot “I will” I replied as she got into the car and drove off.

Me and George sat chatting about football and thing’s then before just before 10pm George announced that he needed to go and check on the barn so off he went and I went upstairs to look in on Melissa. She was still asleep, fidgeting a bit in her sleep, as she stretched and relaxed back into her world of childlike dreams. I tidied up the room a bit and then went along to my room and unpacked the rest of my stuff into the chest of drawers. I had brought 2 0r 3 novels with me to read during quieter periods, so grabbing a copy of the latest Richard Laymon novel I flopped on to the bed and began to read.

I’d been reading for about 15-20 minutes when I heard Melissa cry. Soft sobs followed by calls for her Mum, putting down my book I quickly moved along the corridor and opened the door.

“Shoosh baby, I’m here” I said approaching her bed and picking her up.

Her little arm slipping around my neck as I tried to comfort her she kept calling for her mum and her dad, “He’ll be home soon darling” I whispered into her ear as her sobs began to ease slightly, soon she was once again asleep and I eased her back down into her bed. I left the door open and went back downstairs put on the kettle and made myself a coffee. Looking at the clock it was just gone 11:15 pm.

“Where is he” I spoke out loud as I looked out the main window and down the farm track.

I must have fallen asleep as I awoke with a start as the door opened with a bang. As I adjusted my eyes to the light, George appeared the worse for wear as he staggered into the room.

“You shoduv gona bed” he said speech slurred as he walked over to the drinks cabinet.

“Uh uh no more” I said intercepting him before he got there “You’ve had enough” I said.

“Huw’s lissa” he mumbled.

“She’s fine fast asleep” I said “now let’s get you to bed.”

Putting his arm round my waist I guided him to the stairs and helped him climb up to his room. Once inside I let him slide onto the bed before I pulled off his boots and dropped a cover over him.

“Sleep well” I said as the first sound of snores rose from the bed as I closed the door to the bedroom. I looked in on Melissa and noticed another single bed in the corner of the room deciding it might be wise to be close to her I pulled off my shoes and shirt and lay on top of the bed soon like everyone else I was fast asleep.

I was woken by a strong rapping at our front door pulling on my shirt I buttoned it up and trotted downstairs. Opening the door I found a guy in probably his late 20’s at the door,

“George sleep in again?” he asked.

“Eh what time is it?" "Just after seven, said, he’d meet me in the field’s over by Bakers Wood”

“Ok look I’ll go and wake him get him to meet you over there ok.”

“Yeah fine, did he have a heavy night again?”

“No he’s just a bit too tired with all that’s happened” I said defending him.

“On my way” he said as I closed the door and hurried upstairs.

“George wake up you need to be at work” a few grunts as I shook him finally he started to stir.

“There was a guy at the door looking for you said something about Baker’s Wood.”

“Oh that’s Pete, yeah I was supposed to meet him over there, what time is it” “just after quarter past seven.”

“Ok I’ll get washed and be on my way.”

“You want any breakfast” I asked.

“No it’s ok; just make me up a flask of coffee.”

I went downstairs and made up the coffee I also managed to butter up a couple of rolls and dropped some cold meat on them before he came down.

“There” I said handing him that flask and rolls as he left the house. I went upstairs to wash and shave before I needed to see to Melissa.

By dinner time Sunday there was still no sign of George I looked down the farm roads looking for some tell tale sign’s of his arrival but there was no sign. I fed Melissa and put her down for the night leaving the door slightly ajar to listen for any noise should she wake. I lay on top of my bed pouring through another few chapters of my book. Around 10 I heard a car draw up and the sound of a drunken George get out mumbling a goodbye to the driver before it drove off. I went downstairs and arrived just as he entered not as bad as the night before but still somewhat drunk.

“You need to stop this” I said walking towards him as I approached I could see lipstick marks on the collar of his shirt and smell perfume from him.

“Where you been” I asked.

“Eh just went for a couple.”

“Eh more than a couple” I answered “This needs to stop you’ve got Melissa to think about.”

He sat down his head in his hands, I thought I could hear a slight sob, I crouched beside him,

“I know it’s hard” I said “But you’ve got a wonderful daughter who wants her dad with her sober, not like this you’ve hardly seen her this weekend.”

“I know” he mumbled through some tears, “But I miss Grace so much” his sobs increasing.

“I know” I said squeezing his arm “You want anything to eat” I asked.

“No it’s ok I’ll get some sleep we’ve a big day ahead of us tomorrow,” slightly unsteadily he got to his feet and headed up the stairs, I locked the door and put out the light’s and followed him up. This was not going too well I thought to myself as I followed behind him.

The next week was a bit better I busied myself with Melissa while George only went off the rails slightly disappearing again on Tuesday night and Wednesday night and returning drunk both nights although not as badly as he had been before, we spent a couple of hours chatting about Melissa, Grace and his feeling’s, I generally though we were getting somewhere. On Thursday I decided that I would take Melissa into the village and asked George if she had a buggy.

“Yeah it’s in the loft” he said as he strained to recover from last night’s hangover.

Once he was gone I checked on Melissa and went to retrieve the buggy. There was a small flight of steps up to what really wasn’t a loft but a small room built at the back of the house. Inside I put on the light and searched around there were several crates and boxes scattered around some old household appliances etc.

Being the curious type I opened a few boxes the first couple had cutlery and dishes and another had a collection of household ornaments and photo albums. I picked up one of the albums flicking through it I saw pictures of George and Grace, she had been an attractive girl about my height but with blonde hair cut shorter than the average female maybe, but still her feminine charms shone through.

Continuing my search I opened one of the crates and stepped back inside was all lot’s of her clothes. George had obviously not wanted to throw them out and stored them away a bit musky and damp but still ok. Finally closing the crate I moved on and found the buggy, leaving the room I switched of the light and went to get Melissa for our walk.

With Melissa in the buggy we walked the two miles into the village. It was the first time that I had been in the village for years nothing much had changed there was the small sub-post office a licensed grocers and newsagents, a butchers a small chemist and a fruit and veg shop, oh and the local pub / hotel which I expected was where George did much of his drinking.

I stopped by the benches at the war memorial and sat with Melissa in the overcast but pleasant fresh air several people went buy nodding there heads or uttering a quiet hello as they passed us. Around half an hour later I stood up and pushed the buggy towards the grocers to pick up a few thing’s, inside I picked up a fresh loaf of bread some cheese and milk a couple of tins of food for Melissa and a can of coke for myself, and today’s newspaper.

Crossing to the till I presented the items and the lady began to ring up my purchases.

“That’s George’s daughter isn’t it” she asked.

“Yeah I’m Alex, George’s nephew just down to help him out a bit” I replied.

“So sad what happened” she continued.

“Yes” I replied quietly.

“Well you tell him were all thinking of him and if he needs anything he only has to ask” she said as I handed over some money for my goods.

“Eh I will thanks” I said as I turned to leave.

“Bye” she called after me.

“Yeah bye” I said.

Outside I turned sharply and nearly ran into a young woman heading down the pavement.

“Oh I’m sorry” I said as the buggy caught her shins.

“It’s ok” she replied.

“Hey is that Melissa I see in there, hello babes” she cooed at her bending to stroke her cheek with her finger.

“You must be Alex then” she said offering me her hand “I’m Debby married to Gavin in the next farm” she explained.

“Oh pleased to meet you” I said shaking her hand.

“So you here for long” she asked.

“Oh I don’t know just helping out” I replied.

“Hey let’s grab a coffee.”

“Where I asked”

The old tack shop down the end of the village has turned into a small café and bakers” she answered.

“Eh, weil I should be getting back” I said.

“Oh go on ten, fifteen minutes at most”

“Oh all right” I said and we walked off together.

We reached the café and sat down a waitress approached us.

“Can I have a black coffee and a slice of your apple cake” Debby asked “What about you Alex”

“Eh just a tea and maybe a sausage roll if you have one” I asked the waitress nodding and headed off with our order.

Debby took out a pack of menthol cigarettes “You smoke she asked”

“Eh only sometimes” I replied.

She offered them to me.

“No I’ll pass this time

Debbie lit one; she blew some smoke to her left being careful to avoid Melissa.

“So how is George then?”

“He has good days and bad” I responded.

“Is he still drinking as much” she asked.

“Some nights” I lied.

“I thought so seen him in the Old Coach House on Sunday night” she took a draw from her cigarette and went on “pretty far gone he was, with that bitch Amanda all over him.”

“Who’s Amanda” I asked.

“She’s a Social Worker from Kilmarnock, she was assigned to help George when Grace died, but I figure she has her sights set on replacing her” she said as she flicked some ash of her cigarette and went on.

“She’s tried to cop off with every farmer in the area, just wants to marry into money, even tried it on with Gavin once till I left my hand print on her jaw” she said with a smirk taking a final draw on her cigarette and crushing it out.

“Yeah he came in drunk on Sunday, and had lipstick marks on his shirt” I confirmed.

“Yeah she was all over him in the pub” she said as our food arrived.

We chatted on I told her of my forthcoming job as a teacher and she explained that she was a lady of leisure now but had worked in a salon in Ayr before meeting Gavin.

“Any children” I asked.

“No not yet maybe in year or two when the farm’s doing a bit better. Hey you two should come over for dinner one night” she asked as we finished our drinks.

“Eh maybe, I’ll ask George” I replied as she paid the bill and we got up to leave.

Outside she said “It’s been good meeting you, and try to keep him away from that slut” she said.

“Eh I’ll try but I don’t know if I can, maybe I’ll see you soon” I said as I turned and began to wheel Melissa back towards the farm.