Chapter 7
PHYLLIS
The next morning Phyllis went to see Joyce.
The poor woman had been dragged off to the care home by her selfish son, without even having the chance to say goodbye to anyone.
Not that there was anyone for her to say goodbye to, apart from Phyllis.
She had to put her mind at rest and make sure that her dear friend was comfortable.
And while she was at it, she would see if she could find a room to let somewhere.
Wednesday wasn’t usually a busy day at Mystic Quartz, so Phyllis was sure Aurora wouldn’t mind her taking a couple of hours off to go and visit her friend.
She messaged to ask, explaining what had happened, and Aurora immediately replied telling her to take the whole day off, which was typical of the younger woman.
She was very kind and felt more like a daughter than a boss.
The house felt so empty without Joyce. Phyllis was sad and worried for her friend. Cobweb seemed lost, too, looking around everywhere for her.
‘Joyce has had to move out and we’re going to have to find somewhere else to live, Cobbie,’ Phyllis said as she stroked the sleek, black cat. She couldn’t believe how quickly everything had happened.
She fed Cobweb then decided to read her tea leaves.
She put the kettle on to boil and popped a teaspoonful of loose tea in her special cup and saucer, then poured boiling water on the leaves and left them to infuse for three minutes.
She cleared her mind and focused on the questions she wanted to ask.
What should I do now? Where should I live?
She drank the tea, without adding milk or sugar, leaving a small amount in the bottom.
Finally, focusing on the questions again, she lifted up the cup in her left hand and swirled it from left to right three times.
Next, she placed the cup upside down on the saucer, twirled it three times then picked it up and peered inside at the remaining tea leaves, trying to decipher the patterns they formed.
All she could make out were flowers. She frowned.
What on earth were the leaves trying to tell her?
Was it perhaps the name of a road or house?
Next, she studied the leaves on the saucer hoping they would give her further inspiration, but again all she could see were flowers.
Hopefully the meaning would become clearer later. Right now she had to get ready to see Joyce.
‘I’ve got to go out, Cobweb,’ she said, stroking the cat who was now curled up on a chair.
‘I’ll be back later. You watch out for that Howard and keep out of the way if he comes.
’ She didn’t trust Howard not to start getting rid of the furniture while she was out.
And she didn’t think he’d treat Cobweb kindly, if she got under his feet.
As if she understood, Cobweb miaowed then pattered over to the back door and slipped out through the cat flap.
Phyllis looked around the large kitchen with its old-fashioned, rather battered cupboards, and its ancient cream Rayburn cooker, and a lump formed in her throat.
She was going to miss living here, and her life with Joyce.
Tears welled in her eyes at the thought of her dear friend, in a home full of strangers.
Joyce had often said that she would like to die here, in her own home, to go to sleep one night and peacefully pass on.
She had to admit that it had been getting difficult to look after Joyce – truthfully she did need professional care – but Howard could have gone about it in a better way.
And also given Phyllis longer to find somewhere to live.
He clearly couldn’t wait to get his hands on his money.
Still what was done was done, and change wasn’t always a bad thing.
Her life was now going on another path and she had to walk it and see where it led her.
She grabbed her bag and a wrap for her shoulders, then went out to her old black Peugeot.
Like her, it had seen better days but was still reliable.
With one last look at the house that had been her home for five years now, she set off for the nearby shopping centre and browsed around the assortment of shops, hoping to find something that would cheer Joyce up.
It was difficult because the things her friend had enjoyed such as reading and wordsearch books now quickly exhausted her.
Then she remembered the images of flowers she had seen in the tea leaves this morning.
Perhaps that’s what they were telling her.
Joyce loved flowers, the brighter coloured the better.
She would buy her a bunch of flowers and some treats to eat.
She picked up a packet of Joyce’s favourite dark chocolate biscuits then glanced at her pendant watch – it had belonged to her grandmother – she had to dash if she wanted to get to the home in time for visiting hour.
Phyllis hurried to the florist’s and pushed open the door. A youngish dusky-skinned woman with dark curls that cascaded onto the shoulders of her vibrant yellow top was talking to an older white woman with honey-coloured hair that just covered the collar of her cream jumper.
‘I’m so glad it worked out okay, Nancy. That’s one of your rooms rented out anyway,’ the younger woman said.
Phyllis pricked up her ears. Was this woman renting out rooms? This could be the answer to her predicament, but how did she broach it?
‘Yes, it’s a big relief.’ The older woman turned around and smiled pleasantly at Phyllis. She was wearing tortoiseshell-rimmed glasses and pink lipstick and looked the sort of woman you could rely on.
‘Can I help you?’
‘Can you mix me a bunch of tulips, roses and carnations, please? The brightest colours you’ve got,’ Phyllis asked pleasantly.
‘Certainly. Are they for someone special?’ the woman called Nancy asked as she stepped behind the counter to collect the flowers from the buckets.
‘My dear friend. I’m afraid that she’s had to go into a home. I’m visiting her this afternoon and want to cheer her up.’
‘Oh love, I’m so sorry. That’s so sad.’
Phyllis swallowed. ‘Yes, and it’s rendered me homeless as we lived together – now that Joyce is in a home, her son is selling the house.’
The two women exchanged meaningful looks as Nancy started to make up the bouquet. Nothing ventured nothing gained, Phyllis told herself. ‘I overheard you saying something about rooms to let, so I wondered…’ Her voice trailed off.
‘Well, I do have two more rooms that I’ve been thinking of renting out, but they aren’t ready yet. There’s no bed or wardrobe in either of them.’
‘That isn’t a problem, I have my own. I only need the room for a little while, just to give me time to find something more permanent. I really have nowhere else to go and have to be out by this weekend. This has been so sudden.’ Sadness overwhelmed her and she took a moment to compose herself.
‘Look, why don’t you pop round and see the two rooms tonight and we’ll take it from there,’ Nancy said. She held out her hand. ‘I’m Nancy. Nancy Marshall.’
‘Phyllis Lee,’ Phyllis took Nancy’s extended hand. She’s stressed and going through something life-changing, she sensed instantly. ‘I’d love to, thank you.’
‘Pop in any time after seven.’ Nancy gave her the address.
I’ve got a good feeling about this, Phyllis thought, as she said goodbye then went to visit Joyce.
She’d liked Nancy instantly, in spite of her nervousness.
This could be the ideal temporary solution.
She would check out the room first then ask about Cobweb.
She didn’t want to be parted from her little cat if she could help it, although she knew that Aurora would look after her if need be.
* * *
Joyce was dressed and propped up in an armchair when Phyllis arrived, her feet resting on a stool. Well, that was progress: she hadn’t been able to persuade Joyce to get out of bed for a few weeks now. Her eyes were closed though, as if she was sleeping.
‘Hello, pet, how are you?’ Phyllis said softly.
Joyce’s eyes opened slowly. ‘Phyllis. It’s you.’ Then her eyes widened. ‘Are those gorgeous flowers for me?’
‘They are. Mandy, one of the carers, is fetching a vase for them.’ Phyllis had noticed the woman’s name badge when she’d greeted her.
She put the flowers down by the sink, pulled up one of the wooden chairs that were scattered around, positioned it next to Joyce, smoothed down her long skirt and sat down. ‘I’ve been so worried about you.’
‘I’m all right, love. They’re kind to me here.’
Phyllis took Joyce’s hand in hers. It felt warm.
That was an improvement. Joyce refused to have the heating on at home, much as Phyllis tried to persuade her.
The chill was kept off her bedroom by a small plug-in oil radiator, and Phyllis had been wondering how they were going to manage in the winter.
‘I’m sorry it all happened so quickly. Howard said he’d give you time to find somewhere.’ Joyce’s voice was so weak Phyllis could barely hear her.
‘Don’t you bother yourself about me.’ Phyllis patted her hand. ‘I’ve almost got enough money for my new mobile home. I’m going to rent a room temporarily in the meantime. In fact, I’m looking at it tonight.’
‘Oh, that’s a relief. I’ve been so worried about you.’
‘No need. You take care of yourself.’ Phyllis reached in her bag. ‘I’ve bought you these to cheer you up.’ She took out the box of chocolate biscuits. Joyce’s face broke into a smile. ‘My favourites. How kind of you.’
There was a knock on the half-open door and then Mandy – a cheerful red-haired woman – came in with a vase. ‘I’ve found one for you. Now let me put your flowers in water while you two chat.’
‘Thank you, Mandy,’ Phyllis told her and the carer filled the vase with water, unwrapped the flowers, arranged them in the vase then went back out.
Phyllis chatted to Joyce for a little while, but her friend looked so tired that she was almost falling asleep, so Phyllis left, promising to visit again soon.
It was only a couple of hours before the room viewing, so she decided to go back to the shop and help Aurora out for a while.
* * *
‘What are you doing here? I told you to take the day off,’ Aurora said, looking up from the tarot card display she was arranging.
‘I thought I’d pop in and give you a hand for a bit. I’ve visited Joyce, and I’ve got an appointment to see a room to let at seven, so it hardly seemed worth going home then back out again,’ Phyllis told her.
‘A room?’ Aurora raised an eyebrow. ‘Will you be comfortable with that? Sharing a house with other people?’
‘It’s only temporary. Another few months and I’ll have enough money to buy my new caravan.’
‘Even with paying rent for your room?’
‘Hopefully, it won’t be too expensive.’ Phyllis pulled out the stool they kept behind the counter and sat down.
‘The only issue is that I’m not sure if I’m allowed to have pets, so if not, I was wondering if you could look after Cobweb for a while for me?
She could spend the daytime in the shop, if you don’t mind that is, so it would only be evenings and weekends. ’
‘Of course I don’t mind. I’ll look after her for as long as you need.’
‘Thank you. Hopefully I’ll be able to take her with me,’ Phyllis said. She’d hate to be separated from Cobweb but this room was her only option. She just hoped it was suitable and reasonably priced.