‘You modern young women have so much choice; you can be anything you want.’
‘That’s just it Constance; it's overwhelming. I remember talking to the careers advisor at school, and for me, it was kind of like when you fancy something sweet, you know like a packet of biscuits. So off you go to the biscuit aisle, but you can’t decide what you want because there are just far too many options on the shelf and you can’t afford the ones you want the most. So you wind up buying chocolate.’
This time Constance did smile. ‘Perhaps you’re overthinking things.’
‘Hmm maybe. Did you ever travel?’ Isabel knew she’d stayed here on Wight, taking over the family business before changing tact and opening Constance’s Curealls but that didn’t mean she hadn’t had trips abroad.
‘I wanted to go to Canada when I was young, but it wasn’t meant to be. I couldn’t leave my parents after Evelyn died, and then it got so that I didn’t want to be anywhere other than here.’
‘But you still wound up following your passion by opening your shop, right?’ Isabel was surprised to find she was seeking reassurance. It had taken Constance a long time to finally find what she loved doing; perhaps the same would be true for her.
‘Ah, but Isabel I wanted more so very much more.’
Isabel didn’t want to go, she wanted to find out what Constance meant, but she did not want to incur the wrath of Brenda by being late either. ‘It’s nearly twelve, Constance. I’ve got to get to work.’ She got up from her seat pushing her chair in. ‘Monday’s my day off. Do you fancy a trip into town? We could call in on Rhodri and have a wander around The Natural Way too, if you like?’
Constance nodded. She would like that very much indeed.
Chapter 30
The weekend was a blur of pint pulling and Monday morning rolled around with clear, blue skies. A perfect day for an outing, Isabel thought with a spring in her step as she arrived at Sea Vistas. Kristen was at her reception post and was engaged in flicking her hair back as she smiled up at a young man at the counter. Someone’s grandson or a young doctor perhaps? Isabel wondered but didn’t have time to ponder further as she spied Jill emerging from the dining room. She hurried down the hallway to catch up to her. ‘Morning Jill, I wondered if I might be able to borrow a wheelchair today. I’d like to take Constance out you see, and I don’t think she’d last too long walking around Ryde.’
Jill clapped her hands, and smiled. ‘How lovely. Constance did mention something about that this morning. She’s been ever so bright of late, you’ve been a breath a fresh air for her, and the young lady who runs The Natural Way was in to see her yesterday. It’s a beautiful day for an outing too. I’m sure we can arrange a chair for you. A wander around her old stomping ground will do Constance a world of good, Isabel. I’m forever trying to get her to go on one of our shopping excursions. We go all over the island, and she’d enjoy herself, but she always cries off. Between you and me I think she feels she’s far too young to gad about with the rest of our ladies! Now, if you just give me a few minutes, I’ll go and see what I can do about organising a chair for you to use.’
True to her word, Jill reappeared pushing a wheelchair and she gave Isabel a crash course in operating it. After Isabel had given her a demo on applying the brake, she was satisfied Constance would be in safe hands, and she continued on her rounds. Isabel went in search of Constance finding her in her room. She was sitting in her chair by the window with her handbag perched on her lap.
‘All set, Constance?’
‘Well I’m ready for the off if that’s what you mean, but I won’t be able to walk far, Isabel. I am eighty–nine, you know.’ She took Isabel’s outstretched hand and allowed her to help her to her feet.
‘I do know Constance, and it’s all sorted. Your chariot awaits you downstairs.’
Constance’s expression when she saw the wheelchair waiting by the front desk was similar to her dad’s when fish pie was on the menu, Isabel thought. It was like watching a young child weigh up the odds of stamping their foot or not. If she did refuse to get in it, then that would be that, no outing. Constance came to the same conclusion as she reluctantly thrust her handbag at Isabel before easing herself down into the chair.
Isabel did not hang about not wanting to give her a chance to change her mind and so with a ‘cheerio’ and a promise to return both the chair and Constance in one piece tossed in Kristen’s direction, she pushed forth.
The folly had a few curious tourists milling around it, Constance spied from her seated viewpoint as Isabel wheeled her past a few minutes later.
‘Every time I walk past that I always think of the fairy story, Rapunzel,’ Isabel said leaning over the chair for her charge’s benefit. The breeze along the Esplanade was strong enough to carry her words away. She’d worn a dress today, one of the few she owned. It was a pretty yellow swing dress, and she’d felt pleased when Rhodri had called out that she looked nice as she sailed out of the gallery earlier. Now though she wondered if she might have been better in jeans and jersey.
Constance had thought the folly the stuff of fairytales
