Sunday 3rd August 2008
Today's the day!
It started with rain and ended with joy.
Here's the story...
When Rhiannon was in nursery in Northants, she had a lovely best friend, Eve. Eve's mother, Jane and I became close friends too. We spent a lot of time together.
Rhiannon and Eve on Rhiannon's 4th birthday
Then Jane developed an aggressive form of breast cancer and her partner left her. Let's not even get into the second part of that dreadful sentence. Jane left the area and moved closer to her family near Coventry where I drove up to visit on a few occasions. We'd take the kid's to a soft play area attached to a pub where they ran riot while Jane bravely endured the rude stares at her scarf covered head and offloaded to me about her ex and her debilitating and lengthy chemotherapy.
Although she was still enduring treatment, she felt strong enough to catch the train down to Devon for a much-needed holiday. Because she still had off-days between treatments, she couldn't guarantee she would be able to keep her promise, which was fine. But was also the reason I hadn't told Rhiannon about the plan. Rhiannon is fully aware of Jane's condition, but I didn't want to raise her hopes for something as exciting as a visit and a whole week with her very best friend in case Jane wasn't strong enough to make the considerable trip.
As soon as I had a call saying that they were on the train I knew "it" was on.
So at the time the train was due, I dragged a grumpy child away from British TV and into the car to drive to the station.
"Why are we going here?"
"We're going to watch the trains"
"We're WHAT? No, that's boring and I don't want to. I want to go home" ad infinitum…
In the station where the train was just pulling in, I spotted Jane as soon as they appeared near the gates. Rhiannon stared at her with a puzzled expression – Jane had a full head of hair so probably wasn't recognisable considering the time scale since we'd seen her looking so well. Then she spotted Eve and still didn't quite believe it until Jane and I hugged.
Then Rhiannon squealed with utter joy and embraced her friend in a massive bear hug.
Awww!
