Poems, stories ... and more

Part one of an intriguing lockdown story from Susan Meldon

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Living under Covid

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I was alarmed to hear an urgent knocking on the front door. I was alone, Ray had gone out shopping.  Some supermarkets were allowing only one person per family in the shop and he was keen to escape the house for a while.

We were actually a lucky couple in many ways. I really felt sorry for people with children - schools were closed to all except children of “Essential workers” (NHS staff etc.) Most parents were making a brave attempt to educate their children at home, with TV and network programs to help. Many workers were now working from home, and others had been furloughed to preserve their jobs for better times.
Such people could claim 80% of their salaries - up to £2,500 per month from the HMRC. This in itself produced problems, since the HMRC could not cope with the volume of enquiries. Being retired we had no such money worries, and although our age and my husband’s heart problems put us in the vulnerable group, we did at least have a garden, and one shopping trip, and one exercise session in the outside world were manageable.

The knocking was repeated at a greater volume. Grabbing the cup of tea I had just made, I crept to the door, and looked out of the magic eye and saw  - nothing. Maybe the postman had left a parcel, so I opened the door cautiously, and was shocked to see my ex-husband standing there, I tried to shut it, but too late, he had his foot in the door.

“Keith, you shouldn’t be here” I exclaimed angrily.

“You know I mustn’t be on my own! I’ve been told that it’s very dangerous for me to be alone!” He declared, talking loudly at me as if I was deaf or his mother, rather than his rejected wife of former years.

“Look, we’ve discussed this before …”

“You’re so selfish! It’s always me me me!  You don’t understand how ill I am.”

“Yes I do, but haven’t got a psychiatric team helping you now? What do they say?”

“They’ve abandoned me! They don’t believe I’m a priority case with all this hysteria about Covid19! They do exaggerate. It’s only bloomin’ ‘flu. I know all about viruses! Just wash your hands a lot that’s all.”

Talking nonstop he strode into the kitchen before I’d time to withdraw to the recommended two metres distance “Stay away!” I yelled trying to escape. As he came after me I panicked and hurled the cup of tea in his direction. He screamed clutching at his face yelling: “Bitch! Bitch!”.

I froze in shock wondering why I had done such a stupid thing.  At last I said sorry and lamely continued: “Here, come and sit down and I’ll get some ointment for your face”.

I was a bit reluctant to leave the room but went anyway. When I returned he was sitting on the couch sobbing noisily.

“I’ve got some cream for your face” I said tentatively.

“Oh for god’s sake my face is the least of my problems!” He said desperately. “What did you throw that thing for? I’m in deep shit – I don’t need you starting!”

“What is it then?” It occurred to me – he must indeed be on his own.

 “Linda?” I asked desperately.  “She hasn’t left you has she?”

He laughed nastily “No one leaves me! – I left her the nagging cow! I don’t have to put up with that!” His tone had become so aggressive that I quickly interjected:

“So you’re on your own?”

“No – no, there’s someone – yes actually I am – on my own. I’d rather die of the virus than be on my own!”

“Where’s the ‘someone’?”

“Oh she’s in hospital – she’s got it.” I was shocked at his lack of concern for his new girlfriend as he continued sobbing louder now:

“I just can't be alone! I can’t!  Help me! HELP ME!” and then he seemed to crumple like a bundle of dry sticks and fell to the ground. I rushed over and tried to lift him. He seemed to be breathing with some difficulty and was really hot. I realized with a shock that he too had probably got the virus.

Just at that moment I heard the sound of the key in the lock,

“I’m back!” Ray sang out jauntily.

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To be continued…