(11/20) Farther Afield Read Online Free PDF Page B

in trepidation. Tibby's affectionate attention was a mixed blessing this morning.
    Before she could do much damage, Amy appeared with the tray.
    'I've cut your toast into fingers, my dear, and I'll spread your marmalade when you want it.'
    'I feel about three years old,' I told her, 'and backward at that.'
    Eating a boiled egg left-handed is no easy task, and I should certainly have gone without butter and marmalade if Amy had not been there to help me. Suddenly, I realised how horribly helpless I was. It was frightening.
    'Now, about plans,' said Amy, putting down the knife.
    'With all these offers of help from kind neighbours, I should be fine,' I said.
    She looked at me quizzically.
    'You haven't tried walking yet, or washing, or doing your hair or dressing.'
    'No,' I agreed sadly.
    'And let's face it, you can't possibly negotiate the stairs even with that ankle strapped.'
    I knew this was the plain truth.
    'I've thought it all out. You're coming back to Bent with me. There's plenty of room. I shall be glad of your company, and it will do you good to have a change of scene. So say no more.'
    'It's more than generous of you, Amy, but – '
    'It's no use arguing. I know what you are going to say. Well, Tibby can come too, or Mrs Pringle has offered to come in to feed her, so that's that. We can shut up the house and give Mrs P. the key. Mr Willet says he'll keep an eye on the garden and mow the grass.'
    'But Dr Martin...?'
    'Dr Martin can be kept informed of your progress by telephone, and is welcome to visit you at my house.'
    I looked at Amy with admiration.
    'You've worked it all out to the last detail, I see.'
    'I had plenty of time yesterday – and lots of offers from others, don't forget.'
    I nodded in silence.
    'Let's get you along to the bath.'
    Bracing my arm stiffly, for I dreaded the pain when it was moved, I struggled to get my legs to the floor. Once they were there it was obvious that only the right one could bear any weight. Amy was quite right, I was helpless.
    She was looking at me with some amusement.
    'Well?'
    'You win, you lovely girl. I'll come thankfully, bless you.'
    One arm round her shoulders, I shimmied my way to the bathroom.

    We were seen off that afternoon by a number of friends and well-wishers. I began to feel rather a fraud. After all, no one could say I was seriously ill.
    Nevertheless, it was delightful to receive as much sympathy and attention.
    'The vicar and I will visit you next week,' promised Mrs Partridge.
    'I've taken the dirty clothes,' called Mrs Willet.
    'And I'll give the place a proper bottoming, cupboards and all, before you're back,' said Mrs Pringle, in a tone which sounded more like a threat than a promise.
    We moved off, waving like royalty, to the accompaniment of Tibby's yowling from a cat-basket borrowed from Mr Roberts.
    It is only about half an hour's run to Bent but I was mightily glad to arrive at Amy's house and to be ensconced in the spare room. Some wise person in the past had made sure that the window sills in the bedroom were low enough for the bed-ridden to admire the view, for winch I was truly grateful.
    Beyond Amy's immaculate garden, bright with lilies and roses, stretched rolling agricultural land. The crops were already ripening, and no doubt the combines would be out in the fields long before my beastly arm was fit to use. In the middle distance, a blue tractor trundled between the hedges on its way to the fields, and near at hand, on Amy's bird table, tits and starlings squabbled over food.
    There would be plenty here to amuse me. How good Amy was! She had made light of taking me on, useless as I was, but I knew how much extra work I should be making, and determined to get downstairs as soon as possible.
    Tibby, released from the hated basket, was roaming cautiously about the room, sniffing at Amy's rose and cream decor with the greatest suspicion and dislike. She had deigned to drink a little milk, but was clearly going to take some time to settle