‘Bubbling’, Day 136

We have decided that since we have been able to see the Sutton Sleaths inside, because they’ve been isolating, we must have formed a ‘bubble’. Consequently, when we got the call to go over to their house to support them today because Danielle is still not feeling 100%, we were very happy to oblige. We had planned to go over, in any case, garden-wise, because Michael was taking delivery of a ‘man-shed’ and John wanted to be there to see it arrive – and help move the pieces, if he could.

So, we made an early start, and made it in good time to their house, ready for a trip to the hospital to check out the infection Danielle has picked up. Michael stayed home on a conference call for an assessment by his supervisors on how his ‘virtual’ placement is going; Grandpa also stayed home to play with William; and I drove Danielle and Thomas down to the hospital. Danielle hopped out of the car and I drove round a bit with Thomas, fingers crossed that he’d go to sleep – which he did, much to my relief. I mean, a yelling baby in the back of a car is never much fun, is it?

It wasn’t long before Danielle had been seen, discharged and, everyone suitably sanitised, we were driving home again. Keep on with the antibiotics, rest, keep the wound clean and it’ll soon clear up, they told her. With a husband at work and two kids to look after, the advice is difficult to keep going, especially the resting part, so John and I were delighted to be able to look after William, as well as Thomas when he wasn’t feeding.

And it transpires that we’re planning to do it all over again tomorrow! With the arrival of the ‘man-shed’ John has got quite excited about putting it together. He brought the instructions home with him this evening and has pored over them to make sure he knows exactly what to do. In fact, he’s been so excited about the arrival of the shed, that he set to, to see if he could lay another slab for the base today.

He did better than that. He laid a whole row of the things!! Obviously, he was feeling much stronger than he was the other day when he managed one slab, and only thought about laying a second. He’s done incredibly well. A bit out of puff, but very satisfied with himself.

Being in the company of the Sutton Sleaths has brought into sharp focus the fact that we are not in the company of our other sons, whose lives are so much more out in the community at the moment. Andrew, who has started a new job, moved into a new flat and sometimes goes to the pub, isn’t able to isolate and therefore be in close proximity with us. In addition, he’s very busy and lives a good few miles away so a trip home is a bit of a marathon. Paul and Harriet have also been going into work, and Freddie into pre-school so, again, it’s still the ‘garden adventure’ or nothing.

Conscious that we hadn’t seen the Kenilworth Sleaths for a while, I got in touch to see if Paul could call in. Mum needs a new watch battery, so I was wondering if one of the family could take it to the jewellers for repair. No problem, says Paul, I’ll swing by………. only, hold that thought. I won’t swing by. I’ve got a cold….well, I’m going to get a test to make sure it’s not COVID-19….. so I’ll lockdown until I’ve got the result.

Ah, OK, I reply calmly. And then…..fingers crossed it’s not COVID…..(runs round like a headless chicken)….. and says a little prayer. It’ll be fine, it’ll be fine.

We may see Andrew at the weekend. Well, his weekend – Sunday or Monday. That is, if he can wrest himself from his bed. He says he hasn’t worked so hard for years and is feeling pretty knackered. (Am I allowed to say that?) On the other hand, having moved flat, he has got a lot of junk he’d like to offload into the Sleath Storage Unit……

We scampered home after our evening meal in Sutton, in time for our regular Centre Stage quiz. What a giggle we had again. Everyone was on top form, one way or another, and there were some laughs to be had when poor Nigel couldn’t get logged on properly and it sounded like he was sending submarine signals up to us all. I do love spending time with these people!! Even if we don’t always know the answers. I really must brush up on national flags…..

With the virus on my mind, I note that there have been 763 newly confirmed cases of infection and 83 associated deaths today in all settings, with two in hospital settings.

With the virus still prevailing in some parts of the country, albeit not quite so wide and deep as it was – a plea, dear friends – please take every precaution you can, lest it lurk close by. And may the dear Lord bless us all.