Her shoes always made that funny
click-clack noise on the floor when they came to the hospital. His shoes didnÕt
make the click-clack noise, they squeaked on the shiny floor.
His Gran was tall, and the big bird on the top of her hat frightened him. The
red handbag she always took with her seemed to contain everything he could ever
want. If he was hungry, thereÕd always be some chocolate in that bag. If he had
a runny nose, there were always tissues.
ÒCome along, Neville, and stop scuffing your shoes!Ó
His Gran was scary sometimes. But he did as he was told, and walked properly,
careful to lift his feet high above the ground to stop the leather scuffing on
the floor.
He didnÕt like coming to the Hospital, but Gran said that they had to. She told
him that even though his Mummy and Daddy were poorly, they still liked to see
him. He didnÕt understand why his Mummy and Daddy were in hospital. He wished
they could live at home with him and Gran.
They were almost there now. Neville knew which room they were going to; it was
number ninety-two. His Gran had taught him how to count to one hundred last
year.
Gran pushed open the heavy door, and he walked through it, into the big, sunny
room. There were his Mummy and Daddy, sitting on the white beds. Neville
thought his Mummy was very pretty – she had big blue eyes and long,
shiny, yellow hair. Looking at his Daddy always made Neville laugh, because he
had a big nose. Sometimes, when his Gran was talking to the lady in the bright
green dress, he would climb onto his DaddyÕs bed and squeeze his big nose. And
then Neville would get scared that his Daddy would wake up from his daydream
and be cross with him.
But today, Neville knew theyÕd really come to see his Mummy. Gran had told him
that it was Mothers Day today, and that his Mummy would love it if they took
her some flowers. Neville had chosen the pretty red and yellow flowers from the
shop.
The lady in the green dress came into the room.
ÒGood morning, Augusta,Ó the lady said to his Gran, Òhow are you?Ó
ÒTired, Mary,Ó his Gran replied, Òraising a kiddie at my age isnÕt easy.Ó
ÒPoor little mite,Ó the lady said, and she looked at Neville, Ògrowing up
without his Mum and Dad.Ó
Neville frowned. What did the lady mean? His Mummy and Daddy were right here.
CouldnÕt she see them? He ran over to the lady and tugged on the sleeve of her
dress.
ÒExcuse me, but my Mummy and Daddy are here. IÕm not growing up without them,
canÕt you see?Ó
The lady smiled at him. ÒYes, and your Mummy and Daddy love you very much. Now,
how about I put these flowers in a vase for your Mummy?Ó
Neville nodded, and then looked up at his Gran. Her eyes were shiny.
ÒWhy are your eyes shiny, Gran?Ó he asked, ÒAre you poorly too?Ó
His Gran smiled, ÒNo, dear. Now why donÕt you go and sit with your Mother for a
bit? I need to talk to the Healer about something.Ó
Neville nodded, and walked slowly over to the bed his Mummy lay in. She was
sitting up, resting on a fat pillow, staring outwards. He pushed an orange
chair to the side of the bed, and climbed up on it, using it as a way of
getting onto the bed.
He sat down next to his Mummy on the white sheet, and touched her arm. She
turned and looked at him, her pretty blue eyes staring blankly.
ÒHello, Mummy,Ó he said, ÒItÕs Mothers Day today, and so Gran said we should
come and visit. We brought you some pretty flowers, look,Ó he pointed to the
vase on the table next to the bed, but his Mummy didnÕt turn and look.
ÒOkay then, maybe youÕll look when weÕre gone. Shall I tell you about what IÕve
done this week? Gran took me to the zoo on Monday. I saw lions and tigers and
elephants and monkeys and giraffes and penguins andÉandÉthose stripy horses.
Gran bought me an ice-lolly and then we went and watched the sea lion show. I
think when I grow up IÕm going to work at the zoo. What do you think, Mummy?Ó
His Mummy didnÕt say anything, but in his mind, Neville imagined that sheÕd
agreed with him and smiled.
ÒAnd guess what Mummy!Ó he said, his face lighting up with excitement, ÒWhen we
got back from the zoo, I asked Gran if I could have a pet, and she said maybe
IÕd get one for my next birthday! Do you know how old IÕm going to be when itÕs
my next birthday, Mummy? IÕll be seven! Gran said I could have a birthday
party. I wish you could come to my birthday party, Mummy. Maybe if I ask the
lady in the green dress sheÕll let you come. And Daddy too.Ó
Neville liked talking to his Mummy. At home, his Gran didnÕt like it if he
talked too much, she often said to him ÔChildren should be seen and not heard!Õ
But when he came to visit his Mummy, she never told him off for talking too
much.
ÒI read a book the other day, Mummy, all by myself! It was called Peter and
Jane. Maybe next time IÕll bring it so I can read it to you and Daddy. I
painted a picture the other day, too. Gran pinned it to the wall in the
kitchen. She said that-Ó
ÒNeville!Ó his Gran called his name from outside the door, and he sighed. She
never let him stay too long with his Mummy and Daddy.
ÒComing Gran!Ó He called back, and carefully climbed down from the bed and onto
the orange chair.
ÒGoodbye, Mummy. Have a nice Mothers Day. I love you.Ó He kissed his MummyÕs
cheek, and then jumped down from the chair, his shoes squeaking on the shiny
floor as he ran towards his Gran.
A/N: This was originally written for the
Mothers Day fic challenge on The Hogwarts Experience.