Granddads Final Journey

Granddad's Final Journey

Clatter, wobble, clatter, wobble went the wheels of the pram as he pushed it up the steep incline to the park. It was a faded brown 'Silver Cross', the premier of prams, not like the thin tubular rubbish they mass-produce today. He breathed heavily as the weight of his heavy overcoat began to take its toll on the aged but still erect figure of the man. Ah! At last the park gates, just a short breather before entering the lush greenery of the park, taking off his overcoat he drapes it carefully over the pram handle, gently, so as not to wake the sleeping occupant. The clatter and wobble of the broken wheel screeched into his brain, "Bloody wheel the man mumbled to himself.
On entering the park he set off to explore the familiar surroundings of this green and serene place, like a jewel set in amongst the concrete of a fair sized urban town. "Let's go and look at the ducks, the man said half to himself and half to his tiny charge. "Gosh, they are hungry today, see how they fight for every scrap. He turned and peered into the shadow cast by the hood of the pram, he smiled a tired smile and sat down on a chipped green painted bench. His attention was again drawn to the antics of the noisy ducks. By now they had lost interest as all the food had gone, he rose from his seat, firmly gripped the handle of the pram and proceeded on his walk through their beloved park. A chill had now crept over him; the lakes in the park had this effect of lowering the temperature a few degrees. He struggled into his overcoat and was soon on his way. "It must be getting near teatime, he whispered in the direction of the pram, "Time to get you home and safe in the warm.

It was only a short walk to his daughters, it was as if he had traveled this way for years and knew almost every crack in the pavements. Turning into a tree lined side road he paused to get his breath, he smiled, "Wait until you get a few more years under your belt young lady, you will break a few hearts then he directed his observations towards the silent pram. "My, you have been a good girl today, lets hope you sleep as soundly for mummy tonight. Pushing open the gate of number 20 he shambled up the short path and pressed the doorbell, he heard its muted ring inside the house. A middle aged attractive woman opened the door.
"Dad, what are you doing here?
What's that you have with you?
Where on earth did you get it?
Where have you been? the anxious questions poured forth from his stunned daughter. "Come in, you look exhausted, lets get you a nice cup of tea and you can tell me all about it. She grasped him by the arm to lead him into the house but the man resisted. "What about Emma he said,  "We can't leave her out here on her own. The woman froze: "Dad, are you alright? "Of course I am he replied, "A bit out of breath but I feel fine, heavens Trish, you look like you have seen a ghost.
"Err-come on in dad, I'm-err just about to put the kettle on. She helped lift the heavy pram into the narrow hallway. "Have a seat dad, the daughter looked dazed and uncomfortable and found it difficult to continue with the conversation. "Have you been out walking long with that pram? Does the home know where you are? The questions tumbled out. "Oh, the home replied the man, "That's no problem, they know I always take Emma out for a walk on a Wednesday. The sound of rattling cups and saucers came from the kitchen and what sounded like a muffled sobbing. The man looked into the pram and winked, "Home now young lady, back in the warm again, safe with Mummy and Granddad.

He walked into the comfortable lounge and eased himself into a nice comfortable armchair, relaxing instantly after his tiring walk.
Trish entered the room carrying a tray of teas and biscuits, "Dad, your tea is here, would you like to have a chat now, There was no reply, the deep breathing told her he had dropped off to sleep after his recent exertions.
Wiping her face, Trish went into the hallway and peered into the pram - it was empty, she stepped back in horror feeling faint, clutching for the hall table to support her. Her mind was in a daze, what was happening in her regulated life, it took several minutes to gather her wits and reach for the telephone. She misdialed twice before getting the number she wanted. "Is that the Highview rest home? I'm ringing about my father Mr Stapleton, he has just turned up at my house under strange circumstances, thank you - you will send someone right away - thank you - goodbye. She glanced into the lounge; her father now huddled in the chair, apparently fast asleep. Trish picked up the phone again and telephoned her husband, she quickly explained the situation and Peter said he would come home at once.

Peter was the first to arrive; he looked hot and bothered and had a problem taking in the situation that Trish hurriedly explained to him through a veil of tears. Shortly afterwards the rest home mini-bus drew up outside and a smartly dressed man and a nurse hurried up to the house. "Is Mr Stapleton alright asked the man in the suit, we have been looking for him for hours and were just about to notify you. "We phoned the police when he first went missing and they are coming to see you to get a description.
By now the nurse had gone into the lounge to check on the well being of the absconded Mr Stapleton. "Cooeee whispered the nurse into his ear, "Can you hear me, and she gave him a gentle shake to rouse him. Lowering her head the nurse listened for his breathing, there was none, her hand slipped down his wrinkled arm searching for his pulse, again there was no response. "Doctor she called gently but urgently, "Can you come please, the man in the suit from the rest home entered followed by Trish and Peter.
The suited man - Dr Harrison bent down to examine Mr Stapleton, in a flash he maneuvered his patient to the deep pile carpet, he glanced up at the nurse who positioned herself by the head of the old gentleman, "Cardiac arrest he whispered to the nurse as he struggled to open the prone mans overcoat, jacket and shirt. Giving the old gentleman a smart tap on the chest, he began to perform CPR, the nurse bent low and raised the patients head, tilting it back slightly and began to do 'Mouth to mouth' resuscitation. The doctor half turned to Peter, "Sir, will you please take your wife from the room and call an ambulance at once.

Outside there was the screech of tyres as a police car pulled up outside, the two officers got out, donned their caps, straightened crumpled uniforms and walked up to the now open front door of number 20. Peter greeted them and hurriedly filled them in with the story of events. Trish rang for an ambulance and tearfully explained the situation and gave them her postal details. The taller of the two police officers poked his head round the door of the lounge and took in the dramatic scene in an instant, "Can I be of any assistance? he asked. The doctor glanced over his shoulder and said, "Yes officer, can you take over from me for a few minutes knowing that all police officers were trained in the art of CPR. The officer took over and the doctor again examined his patient, he stood up and flexed his back and shoulders, his face now furrowed with a deep frown.

In the distance the mournful sound of an emergency vehicles siren sounded and within seconds an ambulance appeared to add to the row of gathering vehicles outside number 20. The crew hurried up the pathway carrying their emergency packs and entered the house, the doctor introduced himself and explained the situation the green clad paramedics hurriedly unpacked their emergency gear while the doctor continued to monitor Mr Stapleton. With a sigh Dr Harrison rose from his knees, gently the doctor touched the shoulders of the police officer and nurse, nothing was said, a slight shake of the head was sufficient, and both stood up, a look of defeat in their eyes ' Mr Stapleton was dead.

In the kitchen Peter was trying to comfort Trish who was sobbing uncontrollably, "I'm sorry Doctor Harrison said, "Your father is beyond our help now, would you like to see him? Trish and Peter pushed by the old pram half filling the hallway and entered the lounge; Mr Stapleton lay peacefully on the floor, three quarters covered by a bright red ambulance blanket. The couple knelt down and gave the elderly man a kiss on the cheek and in tears promptly left the room. Meanwhile the doctor had been on the telephone making all the arrangements that were needed after a sudden death. The police officers offered their condolences to Trish and Peter and asked if they could make some notes on what had happened.
Out in the hallway the doctor and nurse were making preparations to leave, Trish walked out to thank them and said she would be in contact in a couple of days, at that they left to return to Highview. The paramedics too had packed up all their equipment and were just waiting for the mortuary vehicle to turn up.
Trish returned to the kitchen to find that Peter had made tea for the two police officers; a spare cup had been poured for her. "Oh dear, a terrible affair tendered the taller of the two police officers, "Perhaps we can get some background details on the late Mr Stapleton if you feel up to it. Peter and Trish clasped each other's hands and began to relate their story.

Mr Stapleton was the father of Trish, seventeen years to the day, Trish's father had taken one year old Emma, his grand-daughter for a ride in her pram to the park, on his way back a lorry had mounted the pavement and hit the pram sending the poor child rolling into the roadway and Mr Stapleton into the hedgerow, without any chance to stop, the following van had hit the child, killing her instantly. The shock had brought the whole family to it's knees but the main trauma had fallen onto Mr Stapleton who went into shock and after a short time he was admitted to a care home. Although no blame had been placed on the child's grandfather, he took it very badly and just seemed to shut out the world, his minds way of coping with the tragedy.
The policemen rose and thanked them for being so frank with them, "We are sorry to have intruded but we do have our job to do and it's not always pleasant.
"By the way said the shorter of the officers, "Would you like us to remove the pram from your hallway, it must be most distressing for you. "Thank you Peter said, "We would be grateful. At that the two policemen manhandled the pram out of the hallway and pushed it down to the front gate, it's wonky wheel clattered and wobbled and finally fell off. "I'll radio for a van to pick it up within the hour the policeman said to Peter, "Goodbye.

As the police car entered the main traffic flow, Jack the taller of the two officers turned to his partner and said, "Poor old sod, it's as if he knew he was dying and wanted to get his imagined grand-daughter back home safely before he snuffed it, it must have been a terrible seventeen years with that on his mind.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

In another dimension, the spirit of Mr Stapleton weaved its way amongst all the spirits that had gone before him. As he journeyed around his new element he became aware of the pitter-patter sound of small footsteps following him. Gently a small hand crept into his and squeezed ever so lightly, his eyes lowered to see a small child at his side - it was Emma. "Hello Granddad she said in a clear soft voice, "I'm so happy to see you again, I have watched over you for such a long time, it's nice to be together again. "You have suffered a lot over the years for your love of me but I could not intervene, that is the way of things in the spirit world "It was never your fault that I was taken away from you and mummy and daddy, you have always been guiltless.

The old gentleman's eye's filled with tears, one running down his cheek to fall on the small child, the child wiped the tear from her arm and held it up, "Look Granddad, love-rain, and she giggled.
Mr. Stapleton's back straightened and a new spirit flowed through his whole being, he looked down at his darling Emma and felt a new surge of pride, he had his angel back...