When the call came, it was sudden and urgent. ‘OK, so it’s tomorrow.’
Martha gathered herself after the shock, feeling ridiculous because she had, after all, known it would happen sometime. ‘That isn’t a problem, is it?’ the voice said, ‘we had talked about this.’
‘Yes, no,’ she gabbled, collecting her thoughts. ‘Of course it’s fine,’ although it wasn’t really. She wasn’t good with unplanned events, or as in this case, planned events with no definite date attached to them.
‘So, you can come.’ She confirmed that she could and that she understood the arrangements, although she asked to run through them again just to be on the safe side.
In the morning, Martha packed a small case and drove to the address she had been given; an area she was familiar with, a mix of older and some newer houses, most with small narrow front gardens. Luckily, at this time of day, it was easy to find a parking space. She drew up and looked for the house. She had been sent some photos of it, which she had studied for at least the 5th time before leaving, and she soon located it. Although it was quiet, she still checked to see if anyone had seen her arrive; she didn’t want to attract the attention of neighbours. She couldn’t bear any interference, not today of all days.
As she approached the front door, she looked about for the blue pot with the red geranium; there it was. Again checking no one was watching, she furtively felt underneath it for the key. Once inside, she had plenty of time to look around and familiarise herself with the layout, and check where everything was that she would need. All seemed to be in order, and she decided to make herself a cup of tea with the calming herbal teabags she had found in one of the cupboards and sit quietly for a while.
The arrangement had been to arrive at 5pm for the pickup, but as was her habit, she decided to be early. She was greeted by a slightly harassed looking young woman in uniform who seemed somewhat surprised to see her, but she shouldn’t have been, because, of course, everything had been agreed in advance, and she was expected. Nevertheless, after disappearing for a moment or two, the young woman, whose badge announced her name was Katrina, returned empty-handed. Martha tried not to panic or to appear as if she didn’t know what she was doing, although in truth she didn’t. Had she forgotten something? It seemed unlikely, as she had made copious notes to remind her what she was required to do and had remembered to bring them with her in her small case.
‘I’m sorry,’ Katrina said, ‘but as we haven’t met before, I have to ask you for the password. We have to be so careful from a security point of view, you understand. What we would be handing over to you is very precious.’
‘Of course, of course,’ Martha blurted out. Then, more quietly, ‘Joss Bay’, she said, ‘that’s the password.’ Katrina retreated into the building, and Martha tried to remain calm. She absolutely could not afford for anything to go wrong now.
It felt like an age, but after what was only a minute or two, Katrina returned again, this time with the all-important cargo. Martha’s heart leapt in her chest as it was finally handed over to her. She had envisioned this moment numerous times, always with a feeling of both anticipation and apprehension; it was completely novel in her experience to be doing this on her own.
The package in her arms soon began to feel heavy, and she worried she might not be able to get it to the car in one piece. Then it began to wriggle...and giggle.
‘Grandma!’ he screeched and hugged her very tightly.
‘Hey buddy,’ she said, ‘Guess who’s looking after you this weekend? Come on, let’s say ‘goodbye’ to nursery, and once we’re home, you can show me all around your lovely new house!’
